Mahaguthi, Craft With a Conscience markets the handicrafts of more than 1,000 Nepali artisans working in 150 workshops, through a network of three stores in Nepal and various fair trade organizations in Europe, Japan and North America. Most of the artisans are from remote and mountainous areas; among them 85 percent are women who use traditional craft skills while working in their own home. Mahaguthi's focus is to promote the well-being of artisans, to provide employment and to embrace and promote the principles of fair trade. Artisans receive medical and education allowances, paid leave and maternity leave. A significant portion of Mahaguthi's profit goes to Tulsi Mehar Mahila Ashram, a shelter home for women and children focusing on rehabilitation. Mahaguthi focuses on promoting microenterprises.
Mahaguthi's parent organization, Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi, meaning literally "the promotion of the spinning wheel and Gandhi Memorial Trust," was founded in 1926 with the objective of making the poor self-reliant, introducing community development and encouraging social reform. It was established to work with "untouchable" caste members. The founder was exiled to India and worked with Mahatma Gandhi before returning to Nepal to do rehabilitation work with women and their children. Mahaguthi began marketing crafts in 1984 to support a program for destitute women and children. Mahaguthi is a founding member of Fair Trade Group Nepal, member of International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and of Asia Fair Trade Forum.
Ten Thousand Villages purchases ceramics, jewelry, wood carving, scarves, metal items and singing bowls from Mahaguthi. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Mahaguthi since 2000.
- Artisan Products