Standing by Our People – Nepal Earthquake 2015 🤝

On the 25th of April 2015, Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake.

It changed lives overnight.

Homes collapsed.

Communities were shaken.

Livelihoods disappeared in an instant.

For us, this wasn’t distant news.

Many of the people affected were the very same people we had worked with for years. The makers, artisans and families behind many of the products we sell.

People we knew. People we cared about.

A moment that defined us

At that point, we had a choice.

From a business perspective, it would have been easier and more profitable to pause production in Nepal and move elsewhere.

To protect supply.

To reduce risk.

To carry on without disruption.

But that was never who we wanted to be.

So instead, we stayed.

Immediate support when it mattered most

In the days and weeks following the earthquake, the priority was simple - help.

We set up a small charitable fund, with a clear commitment, 100% of donations would go directly to those affected in Nepal.

No deductions.

No admin fees.

Just direct support.

Initially, that meant sending basic essentials, food, rice, beans. Because even the most fundamental supplies had become scarce.

As the situation evolved, so did the support.

We helped provide:

• School supplies for children, including books and pencils.
  
• Clothing and everyday essentials.
  
• Financial support toward rebuilding homes, workshops and communities.
  

These weren’t large-scale, headline-grabbing projects.

They were practical, targeted efforts focused on helping the people we work with get back on their feet.

Beyond aid: rebuilding through work

But long-term recovery isn’t built on aid alone.

It’s built on opportunity.

As soon as it was possible, we resumed working with our suppliers placing orders, restoring income, and helping rebuild stability through trade.

Because for many of the people we work with, their craft isn’t just a job.

It’s their independence.

Their identity.

Their way forward.

The Nepalese people are resilient and proud. They don’t want handouts - they want the chance to rebuild, to work and to move forward on their own terms.

And that’s something we deeply respect.

More than suppliers

Over the years, these relationships have grown into something far more than transactions.

They’re built on trust, consistency and mutual respect.

So when things became difficult, walking away was never an option.

We stood by our people and we continue to do so today.

Aid Through Trade

Our long-standing ethos has always been simple:

Aid Through Trade.

Not charity alone.

Not business alone.

But a combination of both, supporting communities by working with them, not around them.

The events of 2015 reinforced that belief more than ever.

And it continues to guide how we operate today.

Why this matters

When you choose to buy from us, you’re not just buying a product.

You’re supporting a network of independent makers, families, and communities - people whose work, resilience and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do.

We can’t control every challenge that comes their way.

But we can choose how we respond.

And when it mattered most, we chose to stand with them.

And we always will.