Mission Statement
Creating a broader world consciousness and a satisfying exchange between cultures are intrinsic to Cheppu from Himalaya’s mission. Our Nepalese artisans produce unique one of a kind pieces reflecting the care and tradition of their ancient cultures, while appealing to Western marketability. Your appreciation of the beauty of handmade products contributes to the success of our mission.
The Beginnings
The Roof of the World is an awe inspiring land that beckoned Cheppu from Himalaya’s owner Christine Kolisch in 1972. Surrendering to the magic of the Himalayas, she lived and worked in Nepal for 13 years. Eventually returning to the United States, she kept her close connection with the Nepalese people by designing clothing and handicrafts with the local artisans, and offering them in the West. Cheppu from Himalaya was founded in 1985 and has continued to support the belief that we are one global family with a richness of diversity to be shared.
Giving Back
Education:
Cheppu from Himalaya helps to provide sponsorships for students in need. We presently have 34 young Nepalese on scholarship programs throughout the country, ranging from Kindergarten to University, Nursing Programs, and Chartered Accounting Degrees. Cheppu from Himalaya supports individual students and also establishes direct relationships with students and Western sponsors.
Micro Credit:
Cheppu from Himalaya founded a micro credit organization in 2013 to help facilitate indigenous farmer women in Nepal who expressed the desire to change from conventional farming to organic. It now has 150 members who have received training workshops on the micro credit system and short term loans. These farmer women have invested in vegetable farming, mushroom farming, animal husbandry (ducks, chickens and pigs), among others.
Earthquake Relief
Shortly after the 2015 devastating 7.8 earthquake, Cheppu From Himalaya was a founder of We Help Nepal, a relief fund working with small, local Nepalese groups. Beginning the day after the first quake, our groups distributed food, water, medicine, tents, tin roofing, solar lights and toilets to areas often where no other help had reached. Moving from immediate relief to sustainability, we are helping a project to computerize remote village schools, and working on rebuilding homes with earth brick. All of us are volunteers so we can be sure that 100% of support will get directly to the earthquake victims. We are supporting local projects empowering Nepali’s to help themselves.
You can see the latest stories and pictures on our fund website at http://www.wehelpnepal.org
Help us continue the work! Your tax deductible donation can be made online or send checks made out to We Help Nepal and mailed to: Global Purpose, 80 Laurel Dr, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
We Help Nepal is a project of Global Purpose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Fair Trade
Cheppu from Himalaya was founded on the principle that fair compensation for crafts people can be successfully joined with reasonable prices and customer service. We are a member in good standing of the Fair Trade Federation and are committed to providing a fair living wage in safe and healthy working environments. Whenever possible we select products which are recycled or made from renewable resources. Cheppu from Himalaya strives to ensure the integrity of the journey of our products, from raw materials, to workshop, to you.
