Nepal Initiatives
Empowerment Collective artisans weave yoga mats, Terai, Nepal, 2020
EC Artisan in the process of cutting material for face masks, Kathmandu, Nepal 2021
Empowering Women
self confidence ✵ creative skills ✵ community
From Woman to Women
Our one-day programs teach women about gender equality. We celebrate the successes of women locally and internationally, offer accessible, actionable materials and resources, and have open talks about challenges specific to women in Nepal and India. Our programs are built with community in mind, focusing on the ongoing effort and support that building empowerment requires.
From Laborer to Artisan
Transitioning from a life of domestic or sweatshop labor to becoming a skilled, empowered artisan requires dedication and patience. In our Laborer to Artisan program, women can choose a specialty and sharpen their artisanship skills. Participants train for one to six months, gaining knowledge and practical experience in sewing, design, cutting, weaving, maintaining the tools of their chosen trade and more.
From Artisan to Entrepreneur
In our one to four year Artisan to Entrepreneur program, women learn how to turn their skills into a business to help them expand quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities. When artisans graduate from the program, they have the ability to make beautiful and well made products that can be sold around the world, start their own local business, and work for companies that pay fair wages. Fully trained artisans can also choose to become EC mentors and inspire the next generation of makers.
Empowering Youth
education ✵ self expression ✵ creativity
Creative Learning Kits
The most vulnerable children in Nepal and India attend schools that are critically underfunded. Our Creative Learning Kits give students a year's worth of essential school supplies - all of which are sourced from local shops and contribute to local economies. Each hemp backpack, pencil case, and water bottle holder is handmade by Empowerment Collective artisans using traditional crafts and local, sustainable materials.
Student Sponsorships
Empowerment Collective supports youth aged 6 to 18 with tuition, uniforms, books, and transportation to attend school. Through providing access to educational opportunities, we're supporting individual youth, their families, and their communities.
Coming Soon - School Library Program
Young woman supported with our Creative Learning Kit studies in rural Nepal, 2022
Girls in rural Nepal receiving their health & wellness kits. 2022
Empowering Communities
knowledge ✵ wellness ✵ collaboration
Health Education
Empowerment Collective partners with local nurses to raise awareness and address regional stigmas that ostracize menstruating women. We create and distribute resources to help women and their communities learn about hygiene, nutrition, and reproductive health.
Women’s Wellness Kits
Empowerment Collective artisans design and craft Women's Wellness Kits to provide rural women with ease and comfort during menstruation. The kits allow women of all ages to attend school and live daily life with confidence during their cycle.
Partnerships
In all of our education and health programs, we build collaboration with local schools, businesses, and NGOs to create powerful, transformative impact - collectively.
Empowering in Times of Crisis
As a small grassroots organization Empowerment Collective values our capacity to respond in times of crisis quickly and efficiently. Our team is able to pivot and connect personally with people on the ground to meet the specific needs of individuals, families and communities. Our emergency relief kits vary accordingly, but can include rice, beans, spices, clean drinking water, water purification tablets, medicine as needed, clothing, blankets, shelter materials, soap, toothbrushes, sanitary supplies, first aid kits, flashlights and thermometers. We have supported people in times of earthquake, flooding, pandemic and social unrest.
Donate today:
Support our vision of a world where every person is free to fulfill their potential. Become a one-time or monthly donor by contributing as little as $10 a month, and create the financial stability that allows us to grow our impact.
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