Our Initiatives
A Journey of
Empowerment
Since 2011, transforming lives through traditional craftsmanship and social change in Pokhara, Nepal
"They didn't lack ability; they lacked opportunity."
— Our Founding Vision
2011 - Where It Began
From Small Shop to
Powerful Movement
What began as a small handicraft shop in Pokhara has blossomed into a movement that touches lives across Nepal. Yes Helping Hands started with a simple yet powerful vision: to provide employment opportunities for specially-abled individuals who were consistently overlooked by society.
The Early Days
Word Spread,
Hearts Opened
We trained a handful of deaf and blind artisans in traditional Himalayan handicraft techniques. As word spread, more people came to us—trafficked women seeking a fresh start, single mothers struggling to provide for their families, and marginalized individuals who had been told they had nothing to offer.
We realized our mission needed to expand beyond disability to embrace all forms of marginalization.
Today, Over a Decade Later
Artisans Trained & Employed
Years of Impact
Stories of Transformation
Our factory has become more than just a workplace—it's a community where everyone is valued for their abilities, where traditional craftsmanship meets social change.
OUR APPROACH
Support, Train, Employ
A proven three-step cycle that transforms lives
Support
Support begins the moment someone walks through our doors. We listen to their stories, understand their challenges, and help them see their own potential. Many arrive with years of rejection behind them. We provide the emotional foundation they need to believe in themselves again.
Train
The train is where transformation takes visible shape. Our master artisans teach traditional Himalayan handicraft skills—cashmere weaving, hand-knitting, and embroidery. Training is adapted to each person's learning style. A visually impaired artisan might specialize in knitting by touch, while a deaf artisan excels at intricate embroidery. Training typically lasts 3-6 months.
Employ
Employ completes the cycle. Upon finishing training, artisans become valued team members earning fair wages. They create the premium cashmere and woolen products sold through Yes Helping Hand's platform. This isn't charity—it's dignified employment where their work is valued in the marketplace.
WHAT WE DO
Our Initiatives
specially-abled Artisan Program
This is where Yes Helping Hands began, empowering individuals who are deaf, physically challenged, or living with cognitive differences. Our factory is fully accessible, and training adapts to each artisan’s abilities.
We don’t see disability — we see potential. A deaf artisan might excel in embroidery, while someone with limited mobility could lead quality control.
Specialized support, adaptive equipment, and ongoing mentorship ensure growth. Many artisans now train others, completing the cycle of empowerment.
Women’s Empowerment Initiative
Our women’s program supports single mothers and survivors seeking stability. With flexible work, emotional support, and skill training, they rebuild confidence and financial independence.
Within months, women create intricate cashmere pieces sold worldwide — reclaiming dignity and rewriting their stories.
Many have advanced into leadership roles, mentoring new artisans and proving that second chances spark extraordinary outcomes.
Each One Teach One
Experienced artisans mentor newcomers, preserving traditional craftsmanship and fostering leadership within our community.
Preserves tradition
Builds confidence
Strengthens community
Scales impact
Master artisans are compensated for teaching and shaping training curricula.
Volunteer Partnership Program
Volunteers share expertise in training, business development, marketing, and digital literacy. Our needs evolve — positions are always open.
Volunteers work alongside artisans, contributing meaningfully to their growth and independence.
Community Education & Advocacy
We shift societal attitudes toward disability through workshops, campaigns, and partnerships. Our artisans lead these efforts, sharing their stories to challenge stereotypes.
How We Sustain Our Impact
Products sold at yeshelpinghand.com fund fair wages, training, and operations, creating a sustainable social enterprise.
We follow fair-trade principles — transparent pricing, progressive pay, healthcare benefits, and profit-sharing.
THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE
Our Impact Since 2011
The numbers tell part of the story, but the real impact lives in individual transformations
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Lives Empowered
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Products Created
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Artisans Trained
Real Stories, Real Lives Changed
From Silence to Leadership
The deaf woman who arrived with no formal training now manages our entire embroidery department, leading a team of 15+ artisans and mentoring newcomers.
A Home of Her Own
The trafficking survivor who saved her earnings and bought her own home—a symbol of independence she never thought possible.
Breaking Generational Barriers
The blind artisan whose steady income enabled his children to become the first in his family to attend university.
Entrepreneurial Dreams
The single mother who saved from her wages and opened a small shop in her village, creating opportunities for her entire community.
Each person who walks through our doors proves that, given opportunity and support, human potential is limitless.
JOIN OUR MISSION
Get Involved
Be part of our mission to empower marginalized artisans and preserve traditional Himalayan craftsmanship. There are many ways to make a difference.
Volunteer Your Skills
Share your expertise and work directly alongside our team and artisans. You're not observing from the sidelines—you're contributing meaningfully to someone's journey toward independence.
We're seeking expertise in:
Visit Our Factory
See our initiatives in action at Damside, Pokhara. Tour our workspace, meet our artisans, hear their stories, and witness traditional Nepali craftsmanship firsthand.
Location: Damside, Pokhara
Many visitors tell us that meeting our team transforms how they think about disability and social enterprise.
Shop With Purpose
Every purchase directly supports our artisans. You're not just buying luxury goods—you're investing in someone's independence.
Visit Our StoreSpread Our Story
Share our mission with your network and help change perceptions about ability and disability. Every share amplifies our impact.
Learn More to SharePartner With Us
We welcome corporate partnerships, academic collaborations, and NGO cooperation to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Explore PartnershipsBecause at Yes Helping Hands, we know that every individual has the ability, dignity, and potential.
Our initiatives simply help the world see what we've always known.
COME SEE US
Visit Us in Pokhara
Our factory doors are open to visitors who want to see ethical fashion in action. Tour our workspace, meet our artisans, hear their stories, and witness traditional Nepali craftsmanship firsthand.
Location
Damside, Pokhara, Nepal
Phone
+977 976-6612169Website
yeshelpinghands.org"Many visitors tell us that meeting our team and seeing their joy in their work transforms how they think about disability and social enterprise."
"Know me for my ability,
not my disability."