Tulsi Tuladhar and I have been friends since the 1990's when I taught at an International School in Kathmandu, Nepal. We met in a running club that ran outside the city twice a week. 

      Over the years we've been lucky to stay in touch. Now that I have retired from international teaching and back in the states, I find that I can help Tulsi and his lovely wife Bidyia bring their handicraft knitted items to the families of Rhode Island!

Back in the 90's when I met Tulsi, he had just opened up a motorcycle spare parts store. He had gone off on his own business venture while his brothers and father ran their sari and cloth business in the heart of Kathmandu.

      Unfortunately, during a riot in 2004 protesters broke into, looted and eventually set fire to a group of shops which included Tulsi's. It was a terrible blow for Tulsi. He  lost all his inventory and was therefore unable to pay his creditors. Having lived in Nepal for five years, I can tell you first hand how difficult it is to do business in Kathmandu. The problems Tulsi faced were virtually insurmountable.

       I hope with our new joint venture we can offer Tulsi, his family and all the folks who work on developing these beautiful handicrafts a new start. All proceeds will go back to Nepal to help support them and build their business. Tulsi has plans to export other items such as sweaters and carpets. Keep updated on Hastakala’s new inventory on Facebook.

A purchase of a Hastakala product will provide warmth during the cold winter months and a chance to make a difference in the lives of the Nepalese artisans.  

​

Namaste

​

Sue Lepry  Hastakala8@gmail.com    Facebook HastakalaNepaleseHandicrafts@biditulsi