A Decade of Empowering Nepal Through Ethical and Sustainable Fashion

Yes Helping Hands Marks a Decade of Transforming Lives Through Ethical and Sustainable Fashion in Nepal
Pokhara-based social enterprise has trained over 800 artisans since 2011, creating sustainable livelihoods for specially-abled individuals, single mothers, and marginalized communities through traditional Nepali handicrafts

Pokhara, Nepal - January 13, 2025 - Yes Helping Hands (YHH), a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through ethical fashion, celebrates over a decade of meaningful impact in Nepal. Since its official establishment in 2014, the organization has trained more than 800 artisans and currently employs over 180 skilled craftspeople, proving that fashion can be a powerful force for social change.
What began as a small shop in Lakeside, Pokhara in 2011 has grown into a recognized non-profit organization that combines traditional Nepali craftsmanship with fair trade principles, creating luxurious handmade products while transforming the lives of those who need it most.
Mission: Support, Train, Employ
At the heart of Yes Helping Hands lies a simple yet powerful mission: Support, Train, Employ. The organization believes in the inherent potential of every individual, regardless of their background or physical abilities.
"It's not about business-it's about improving lives through fair and environmentally responsible practices," explains the YHH team. "We provide skills training, employment opportunities, and sell products that support the entire community. No one is taken advantage of here."
The organization specifically serves:
Community
Support Provided
Specially-Abled Individuals
Skills training in various handicrafts with accommodations for deaf, mute, blind, and other disabilities
Single Mothers
Employment opportunities and support for their children's education and well-being
Marginalized Groups
Fresh start through dignified work and fair wages
Local Artisans
Preservation of traditional skills and cultural heritage

Comprehensive Training Programs
Yes Helping Hands offers 3-6 month training programs in traditional Nepali handicrafts, including:
Skill
Description
Cashmere/Pashmina Production
Working with ethically sourced cashmere from Himalayan goats
Dhaka Weaving
Traditional textile techniques reflecting Nepali heritage
Hand-Knitting & Crochet
Creating sweaters, scarves, mufflers, and accessories
Nepali Carpet Knitting
Hand-knotting techniques for beautifully designed carpets
Painting
Artworks inspired by Nepali culture on canvases and sketchbooks
Embroidery
Detailed decorative needlework techniques

To ensure accessibility, YHH provides NPR 100 per day to trainees for meals and travel fare during the training period, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.
"During the skills training program, we ensure that financial barriers don't prevent anyone from learning these valuable skills," notes the organization. "The programs are designed specifically for those who need a fresh start."
The "Each One, Teach One" Approach
A unique aspect of Yes Helping Hands is their "Each One, Teach One" philosophy, where trained artisans pass on their knowledge to others-including visitors. This approach builds community, spreads valuable skills, and allows tourists to immerse themselves in Nepali traditions.
The Yes Helping Hands Exhibition Center in Pokhara offers visitors an opportunity to:
Witness specially-abled artisans working on traditional handlooms
Learn how each product is made
Participate in handicraft activities
Hear the personal stories of artisans
Understand the direct impact of their purchases
Commitment to Sustainability and Ethics
Yes Helping Hands has maintained carbon-neutral operations since 2014, demonstrating that ethical business practices and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Sustainability Practices
Practice
Implementation
Carbon-Neutral Operations
Maintained since 2014
Eco-Friendly Materials
Cashmere from Himalayan goats, wool from local sheep
Natural Dyes
Avoiding harsh chemicals
Waste Minimization
Responsible resource management
Animal Cruelty-Free
Strict commitment to ethical sourcing
Fair Trade
Fair wages and safe working conditions for all artisans

Unlike fast fashion, which produces cheap clothes quickly while damaging the planet and exploiting workers, YHH focuses on quality, handmade products built to last-preserving cultural heritage while being kind to the environment.
Handcrafted Products with Purpose
The Yes Helping Hands product range combines luxury with social impact:
Cashmere Shawls - Luxurious, hand-woven shawls crafted using ethically sourced cashmere wool
Hand-Knitting & Crochet - Sweaters, ponchos, scarves, mufflers, gloves, wool beanies, and accessories
Nepali Carpets - Hand-knotted carpets featuring beautiful designs with rich cultural heritage
Dhaka Fabric Products - Traditional Dhaka textiles reflecting authentic Nepali craftsmanship
Paintings - Artworks inspired by Nepali culture, available on canvases and sketchbooks
Every purchase directly supports artisan welfare, funds additional training programs, and contributes to the education of artisans' children.
Global E-Commerce Presence
To extend their reach and impact, Yes Helping Hands operates country-specific e-commerce platforms:
Region
Website
Worldwide
yeshelpinghand.com

The platforms feature artisan storytelling, detailed product information, secure payment options, and transparent reporting on social impact. Free shipping is available on orders over $200, with wholesale options for retail partners.
Recognized Excellence: 5-Star Reviews Worldwide
Visitors consistently rate Yes Helping Hands with 5 stars on both Google and TripAdvisor, describing their experience as "truly transformative."
What Visitors Say
"A temple for specially-abled people where they learn to live their lives"
"Completely changed my thoughts regarding specially-abled people"
"Cashmere products are amazingly soft and light-like wearing a cozy cloud"
"Fully memorable... outstanding quality"
Reviewers consistently praise the exceptional product quality, authentic mission, operational transparency, and the personal connections formed with artisans and staff.
→ Read reviews on TripAdvisor → Check Google reviews
Impact by the Numbers
Metric
Achievement
Years of Operation
10+ years (since 2014, shop since 2011)
Artisans Trained
800+ since 2011
Current Employment
180+ artisans
Google Rating
5 Stars
TripAdvisor Rating
5 Stars
Carbon Neutral
Since 2014

Community Engagement and Recognition
Yes Helping Hands actively supports special education schools and engages with local communities to promote inclusivity and diversity. The organization collaborates with schools and community groups, creating a society where everyone-regardless of their background or challenges-is valued and respected.
Their motto, "Fashion with Purpose," aligns with global goals like fair employment and reducing inequality. In Nepal, where government support is limited for marginalized groups, YHH fills an important gap.
The organization's efforts have been recognized both locally and internationally for creating a more equitable society through dignified employment opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Yes Helping Hands plans to expand by offering more training programs and helping more people build sustainable livelihoods. The organization continues to rely on donations and volunteers to support their mission.
"Changing lives isn't as easy as running a profitable business," the team acknowledges. "But every artisan who gains independence, every child who receives education support, and every community member who earns respect-that's what drives us forward."
How to Get Involved
Shop with Purpose: Visit yeshelpinghand.com for meaningful, handcrafted gifts that directly support artisan communities.
Volunteer: Sign up for volunteer opportunities to contribute directly to the mission.
Visit: Experience the Yes Helping Hands Exhibition Center in Pokhara and witness the transformation firsthand.

About Yes Helping Hands
Yes Helping Hands is a Pokhara-based non-profit social enterprise established in 2014, dedicated to empowering specially-abled individuals, single mothers, and marginalized communities through ethical and sustainable fashion. The organization provides skills training in traditional Nepali handicrafts, fair employment opportunities, and creates luxurious handmade products including cashmere shawls, hand-knitted items, Nepali carpets, and Dhaka textiles. With carbon-neutral operations since 2014 and a strict commitment to fair trade and animal cruelty-free practices, YHH proves that fashion can be a powerful force for social change. The organization operates the Yes Helping Hands Exhibition Center in Pokhara and serves customers worldwide through its e-commerce platforms.
About the Yes Helping Hands Organization
Yeshelpinghands Organization (yeshelpinghands.org) provides information about YHH's programs, donation options, and volunteer opportunities. Proceeds from product sales at Yes Helping Hand Cashmere Store go directly back to supporting the artisans, creating a self-sustaining model that keeps the mission going.
Media Contact
Yes Helping Hands
Email: yhh.org@gmail.com Phone: +977 9856022008 Location: Lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal
Websites:
Organization: yeshelpinghands.org
(Ecom Website Worldwide): yeshelpinghand.com
Shop: yeshelpinghand.com/shop
Cashmere Collection: yeshelpinghand.com/shop/cashmere
Editor's Note: High-resolution images of artisans at work, product photography, and the Exhibition Center are available upon request. Interviews with artisans and the founding team can be arranged. Video content showing the training process and artisan stories is also available for media use.

Additional Resources
For Journalists:
Artisan success stories and testimonials
Before/after impact documentation
Training program footage and images
Product craftsmanship demonstrations
For Partners:
Wholesale partnership information
Corporate social responsibility collaboration opportunities
Educational institution partnership programs
For Visitors:
Exhibition Center visiting hours and location
Workshop participation details
Cultural immersion experiences
Contact yhh.org@gmail.com for any additional information or media requests.

Yes Helping Hands
Company Name: Yes Helping Hands Organization
Full Postal Address:
33700, Damside, Pokhara, Gandaki, Kaski, Nepal
Contact Information:
Phone: +977 9856022008
Email: yhh.org@gmail.com
Website: yeshelpinghands.org (Organization) / yeshelpinghand.com (Store)

Press Contact:
Sudip Bhandari
Managing Director
Phone: +977 9856022008
Email: yhh.org@gmail.com

About Yes Helping Hand Store (yeshelpinghand.com)
Yes Helping Hand (yeshelpinghand.com) is a sustainable fashion e-commerce platform offering ethically sourced, handcrafted Himalayan cashmere and woolen products directly from Nepal to customers worldwide. The online store features a curated collection of luxurious cashmere shawls, sweaters, ponchos, mufflers, scarves, cardigans, and accessories-all crafted by specially-abled, marginalized, and single-mother artisans in Pokhara. What sets the store apart is its commitment to affordable luxury: Grade A Himalayan cashmere products are available at up to 70% less than traditional luxury brands, made possible through direct sourcing from mountain communities, in-house craftsmanship, and transparent pricing with no middlemen markups. The platform operates country-specific domains (yeshelpinghand.com for worldwide, yeshelpinghand.com.np for Nepal, and yeshelpinghand.com.in for India), offering secure checkout, worldwide shipping, free delivery on orders over $200, and a 30-day return policy. Every purchase directly supports fair wages for 180+ trained artisans, funding their livelihoods and the continued training of marginalized individuals in traditional Nepali handicraft techniques.

About Yes Helping Hands Organization (yeshelpinghands.org)
Yes Helping Hands Organization (yeshelpinghands.org) is the non-profit foundation behind the social enterprise, dedicated to empowering differently-abled individuals, single mothers, trafficked women, and marginalized communities in Nepal since 2011. The organization's core mission-"They didn't lack ability; they lacked opportunity"-drives its comprehensive programs, which include free 3-6 month skills training in handloom weaving, knitting, embroidery, and traditional Nepali crafts, with a daily allowance of NPR 100 for meals and transportation to remove financial barriers. Beyond training and employment, the organization runs advocacy campaigns to shift societal attitudes toward disability, supports special education schools, and operates the "Each One, Teach One" program where visitors can learn traditional crafts directly from artisans. The website serves as the hub for donations, volunteer sign-ups, and information about YHH's social initiatives. Notably, the organization expanded its mission during the devastating 2015 earthquake, building temporary shelters and supporting affected communities. All proceeds from product sales at yeshelpinghand.com flow back to fund the organization's programs, creating a self-sustaining model where fashion becomes a vehicle for lasting social change.

This release was published on openPR.