Measurable benefits for children and entire communities.

1,597

children restored freedom (1995-2024)

5,130

children directly provided educational opportunities

9,032

workers reached in supply chains in 2024

For over 25 years, GoodWeave Certification Nepal, with support from GoodWeave International, has implemented market-driven programs to combat child labor. Our holistic approach aims to heal and educate exploited children while addressing root causes. Through partnerships with 180 carpet exporting factories, and their 1500 supply chain units, we've achieved significant reductions in child labor incidence, ensuring freedom and education for affected children. These are not just statistics—they are stories of real people, driving our mission forward.

A part from our regular works, GoodWeave Certification Nepal has supported workers and carpet owners in need. During earthquakes, covid and other natural calamities, GoodWeave Certification Nepal had offered support to the workers/owners. In Covid time, GoodWeave Certification Nepal supported almost 5000 workers from around 200 supply chain units.

Stories Of Impact

Relief support during COVID

In Nepal, the COVID 19 pandemic and measures implemented to prevent its transmission severely affected both the formal and informal sectors including carpet industries. There were low or now carpet orders from the importers during COVID time. All the works related to carpet production were halted. As a result, carpet workers who work in daily basis were affected adversely putting them in the debt situation struggling for their livelihood. As an immediate relief support for such needy workers from the GoodWeave licensee factory, GWI provided ration support to nearly 4500 carpet workers. During the need assessment survey with some of the workers and factory owners, GoodWeave team found the need of support for food, soaps & masks, general medicines for fever & common cold and thermal gun support. Based on these requirements, GoodWeave team set the relief package to be distributed to workers and factories as below; For an individual worker • 10 kg rice • 2 kg lentils • 5 pieces surgical masks • 1 soap for handwashing For an individual factory • Medicine for Fever (cetamol)-10 tablets per worker X numbers of workers in the factory • Medicine for Common Cold (D-Cold)-5 tablets per worker X number of workers in the factory • Infrared thermometer- 1 per factory Criteria Developed for relief support distribution Selection of factory and workers for food support distribution was set based on the below criteria: • Be resident within Subcontracted units of Renewed Licensees. • Be working within Licensed Supply Chains in GoodWeave’s Monitoring System as of Sep 15 2020. • Not received relief package previously from any other organization. • Supply chain workers who have low income due to low carpet orders from importers Based on the above criteria, GoodWeave team distributed the relief package to 4253 workers from 144 factories. Worker's Reflection "I have been taking care of 6 family members in my house from my income through carpet weaving. Lockdown and prohibitory orders enacted in different time periods resulted in the low carpet orders which directly impacted my earnings. As a result, I was struggling hard managing for our livelihood. In such a difficult time, GoodWeave team supported me with food supplies along with masks and other essential medicines. I am very much thankful to the GoodWeave team for their generous support."- A happy worker from one of GoodWeave's supply chains.

COVID Awareness program

During the COVID-19 pandemic, raising awareness and promoting the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) emerged as essential measures to curb the spread of the virus. Recognizing this urgent need, GoodWeave Certification Nepal initiated a COVID relief support program for the affiliated carpet factories in Kathmandu Valley. The program was focused on three main strategies: I. Awareness-raisingII. PPEs (disposable masks and soap) distributionIII. Access to treatment In the very first strategy, GoodWeave Nepal conducted covid awareness-raising sessions among carpet owners and weavers to let them understand what is Covid, how it is transmitted, how can they remain safe from covid, and what to do if anyone gets infected with covid. In the second strategy, after the awareness-raising sessions, carpet owners/workers were provided PPEs (disposable masks and soap) to remain safe from covid. All the carpet owners and workers were suggested to wear it properly whenever they are at work inside the factory or they are out for groceries and other essential services. In the third strategy, the workers if are infected with Covid are provided access to treatment facilities through a referral mechanism. GoodWeave gathered information on the different covid treatment centers run by Government and private sectors and referred the infected owners/weavers to such centers for the treatment facilities. I. Awareness-raising: GoodWeave Nepal conducted virtual COVID awareness sessions for carpet owners and weavers, providing crucial information about the virus, its transmission, preventive measures, and actions to take if infected. Topics covered included general information on COVID-19, transmission methods, proper use of disposable masks, handwashing techniques, symptoms, and when to seek medical assistance. A medical doctor facilitated these sessions, reaching 127 supply chains and 3982 workers. II. PPEs (disposable masks and soap) distribution: To minimize COVID transmission, GoodWeave Nepal distributed PPEs, including masks and soap, to carpet weavers, along with guidance on their proper use. A total of 62,800 masks and 2,800 bars of soap were provided to 46 licensee factories, benefiting 5,675 workers across 202 subcontracted factories. GoodWeave inspection team themselves visited the exporter factories and handed over the PPEs materials. These licensees factories later on distributed the masks and soap to 5675 workers from its 202 sub contracted factories. Additionally, GoodWeave supported the Nepal Carpet Manufacturer and Exporter Association (NCMEA) by supplying 100,000 disposable masks, 230 N95 masks, and 2,000 bars of soap for distribution among affiliated carpet factories. III. Access to treatment: Workers showing COVID symptoms were referred to hospitals for immediate treatment. GoodWeave facilitated easy access to hospitals by sharing a list of COVID treatment centers with contact details. Over 20 workers from 11 factories were referred and successfully treated, contributing to their full recovery.

Nirmala’s True Story Begins Now

Nirmala was the only daughter born to a very poor family of farmers in rural Nepal. There was not a single day when there was enough food for all of them. Some days, she would go to bed hungry. At the age of 10, out of desperation, she ran away with friends to Kathmandu and eventually started to work in a carpet factory. Her hands became bloody and bruised, but she was never paid a single rupee. A GoodWeave inspector found Nirmala and brought her to our transit home for rescued children. When she arrived, Nirmala didn’t even have shoes on her feet. Our social worker and counselor, Rajendra, remembers her early days at our center. “We were focused on making her laugh and play. And slowly, she started coming back to normal.” With GoodWeave support, now 21, graduated a topnotch secondary school in Nepal (our partner the Laboratory School). After years of missed classes, she caught up to her peers and now works as a dance teacher for young children.

Learning at Day Care: Saraswoti's story

Saraswoti during her time at Day Care engages in learning activities and play with other children. As a result, she has acquired basic literacy and numeracy skills, learned about hygiene practices, and gained independence in toilet habits. She enjoys the company of her peers at the daycare center. Saraswoti's parents are delighted with the daycare's positive impact on their child. By enrolling her to the daycare during the day, they can focus on their work without worrying about her well-being. Moreover, Saraswoti's participation in the daycare program has contributed to her social and overall development. Their elder daughter also graduated from the daycare center and is now part of the GoodWeave Sponsorship Education Program, currently studying in Grade 5. Saraswoti's parents express gratitude for the support they receive from GoodWeave, enabling them to prioritize their children's education and future prospects despite their limited income from carpet weaving. They expressed their happiness by saying "GoodWeave's daycare has been a tremendous support for our family. Despite our limited income, we're relieved knowing our children's education is secured with GoodWeave's help. Their dedication truly inspires us, and we're wholeheartedly thankful for everything they do."

Sangit's Path to Education

Sangit Bomjan, a 5-year-old boy from Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, is the youngest child of Buwan and Rita Bomjan. The Bomjan family, originally from Bakaiya-04, Makwanpur, has been working in the carpet industry for over a decade. Despite their hard work, Sangit's parents struggled to afford school fees for their two children due to the inconsistent nature of carpet orders. The financial burden often forced the children to miss exams. During a regular inspection by GoodWeave inspectors, the Bomjans learned about GoodWeave's Sponsor Education Program (SEP) and applied for the support. With GoodWeave's SEP support, Sangit avoided dropping out of school and now attends regularly. His parents are grateful, saying, "GoodWeave's support has allowed us to manage our children's education. We are deeply thankful for this opportunity."

Hem Moktan: He Made It

Hem Moktan was 13 years old when he was freed from a carpet factory in Kathmandu by a GoodWeave inspector. He was enrolled in GoodWeave’s transit home for former child laborers where he received an education. He now works to protect other children and serves as Child Development Officer at Nepal GoodWeave Foundation. Hem’s story demonstrates how GoodWeave’s work transforms both global supply chains and individual lives

GOODWEAVE CERTIFICATION NEPAL