Woolly delights from Nepal
June Moh, 34, learnt it the hard way that doing good needed detailed planning when she was in Nepal for a career break in December 2015.
“I organised two small projects where I collected used clothing from city folk and distributed them to villagers in Chitlang, about 30km from Kathmandu.
“Nepal was going through a tough time due to the economic blockade at Nepal-India border in one of the harshest winters the country was experiencing. That was that best I could do because I was travelling on a shoestring budget,” said Moh.
“Initially, I had no idea where I could distribute the used apparel. I asked around and the local students brought me to Chitlang,” she said.
Moh went there with five bags of clothing the first time. The second time, she worked with a non-governmental organisation and brought a vanful.
Turned out, the Chitlang folk did not need the clothes. But, they were in desperate need of clean water supply as the village’s water and irrigation systems were damaged.
“This taught me that you have to do your homework before starting a project,” the Upper Iowa University (Malaysia Division) double-major (Journalism and Psychology) graduate shared.
But that did not stop her from doing more.
Handicrafts of Nepal
Moh, collaborating with her Nepali business partner, Bishwas Khatiwada, is bringing handmade felted wool products produced by Nepali women to Kuala Lumpur.
Moh sources the felted wool products made by single mothers, college students and women whose husbands work overseas, from Bishwas and sells them at her pop-up store, Handicrafts of Nepal, located at Pop by Jaya One in Petaling Jaya. click here
Handmade felted wool bags, finger puppets, decorations and accessories such as earrings can be found at the store.
Bishwas’ company, Helping Hands Handicrafts, prioritise hiring women to enable them to be financially independent and better support their families.
“Every felted wool product that is sold increases productivity and earnings of employees there who are largely uneducated and of lower-caste background,” said Moh, who shares the space with a friend who sells essential oils (felted wool is a great oil diffuser).
“Nepal is a patriarchal country that is still deeply rooted in castes. Many Nepali women do not have the opportunity to go to school. Most of them are illiterate. The younger generation are trying to change this social system. Bishwas is the owner of Helping Hand Handicrafts that supplies me the handicraft products. By collaborating with him, I started my business and am trying to make a difference for the women in Nepal,” Moh said. click here
Social awakening
Having lived there for three months has opened Moh’s eyes to the locals’ struggles in Nepal. She spearheaded a crowd-funded project with Bishwas to distribute mosquito nets in Gerkhu, Nuwakot, outside Kathmandu. A total of 889 families affected by the 2015 earthquake there received the mosquito nets.
“I had never thought of starting my own business until I successfully raised US$4,178 (RM16,879) within one month for 889 families affected by the earthquake. After that, I thought, why not start a business?” explained Moh.
When asked to elaborate on her social awakening, Moh related:
“The first trip to Nepal totally changed my life. The majority of Nepalese live a difficult life. So difficult that some of them thought dying was a better option. While distributing the mosquito nets, I have seen families crying at their homes while consoling one another after losing a family member or a relative to suicide.
“It is not something uncommon for the locals. Despite not living a life with many material possessions, which is the benchmark of happiness for most people, they were happy and peaceful. After I came back, I started to search and looked inwards for happiness. As I go back to the country every year, the people have influenced me unknowingly and I have learnt from them that we can be kind to strangers or those in need without expecting anything in return,” Moh said.
Moh shared how she experienced first-hand the warmth of locals who helped her when she was down with flu there during the economic blockade.
“During the blockade, when it was difficult to get gas to boil water. There was a bookshop called The Map House. The staff offered me hot water every day. I was sick for two weeks. Then I was walking one day, I bumped into a rickshaw driver who insisted on bringing me to the hospital for free (he remembered me because I gave him US$1 as tips about a month before that),” she recalled.
Business with a purpose
While Handicrafts of Nepal may not be a social enterprise, Moh believes it can empower Nepali women by helping to market their products.
“When Nepali women are empowered with specialised skills (such as in handicraft) and job opportunities, they uplift their families. Their children will be able to study at schools and the families will always have sufficient basic necessities. Empowered women will inspire the community and beyond.”
