KASIN has long recognised the fantastic work that KTS has been doing in Kathmandu. Jane Southward, one of our trustees spent a month volunteering as a teacher trainer at the KTS primary school and you can read her her blog here.
KTS was initially established to assist the local Pode community of street sweepers because, as a caste of untouchables, these people had been denied education and employment opportunities. The rest of society shunned them and it was virtually impossible to break free of the traditional caste occupations of street sweepers, butchers and small farmers. A childcare project for street cleaning workers was established, followed by adult literacy classes and a nutrition and health clinic, which included an immunisation programme.In 1984, KTS opened a primary school and introduced a carpet weaving training programme for adults.
The KTS organisation today encompasses a free nursery and primary school for 250 children and offers welfare and education for up to 25 orphan/semi-orphan children in the KTS orphanage. KTS provides vocational training for women and young men in carpet weaving, hand knitting and carpentry. KTS supports Fair Trade income-generating programmes for its producers, through the sale of high-quality Fair Trade carpets, knitwear and furniture, which fund and sustain the KTS activities. KTS also runs a day-care centre for the children of trainees, producers and staff.
KASIN and Kids of Kumbeshwar UK are providing the salary for a teacher at the Primary School at KTS. The trustees of KASIN have visited the school to talk with the children and were impressed with their wellbeing and ambitions. Donations will go towards ensuring that this support can continue.
If you wish to set up a regular donation to help the children at Kumbeshwar, you can download this form
Gift Aid Form