Pashom
Fiona Chadwick started the company back in 2002 when when living and working as a volunteer teacher in a small village school at the base of the Himalayas. Nearly 20 years on, they now have 2 workshops in Kathmandu and employ 60 women artisans full time, creating beautiful, ethical, natural and educational toys.
Pashom has been a member of the Fair-Trade Association of Aust/NZ since 2010 and they are proud to support women’s skills development and gainful employment in Nepal. Dedicated to supporting cottage craft and Fair Trade industry in Nepal, they are empowering women to become self-sufficient and to reach their full potential.
Pashom provides their team with a happy, fair and dignified work environment where they work from 9am to 5pm, are paid above award wages and receive benefits including annual leave, sick pay and a yearly bonus. Women with young children at home who cannot travel daily to the workshop are able to take the raw materials to their homes and work in their own time.
The team of artisans come from various regions of Nepal and India and from mixed socio-economic backgrounds. Many are single mothers supporting their children’s wellbeing and education, and Pashom are so happy to be able to provide them with the security of full-time employment and a loving and supportive workplace.
Pashom products are all handmade from 100% New Zealand wool and all stuffing is either wool or cotton. All embellishment is done by hand using cotton thread and we do not use plastics or synthetic materials in any of their toys. The artisans are very proud of their work and the love and pride imbued in these products can truly be felt.
