Happy House Fair-Trade

Introduction

Happy House is a Sauraha-based, non-profit organization that promotes fair trade and community development. It was established in December of 1999 to help preserve Nepali traditions while improving the quality of life for disadvantaged groups. Happy House creates a market for traditional artwork, handicrafts, cultural artifacts, pure-natural honey, among others. By helping to generate income for poor and rural groups, Happy House hopes to create a stronger, more self-sufficient society.

Objective

· to preserve local traditions and institutions
· to improve quality of life for disadvantaged groups
· to promote a healthy society through education and sanitation
· to share Nepali traditions with visitors from around the world

Community Development

80% of purchases goes directly to the producer, while the remaining 20% is used towards operational costs and community development. Community development projects are directed towards those in the greatest need. People living in poverty, groups of low social standing, and children are targeted for programs that include:
· first-aid supplies and health camps
· sanitation education and toilet construction
· environmental education and clean-up programs

Products and Crafts

Happy House offers products and crafts from producers throughout Nepal. Much is produced locally, but other groups are also facilitated such as the Chepang of the Northern Chitwan Hills and women's groups of Janakpur in Eastern Nepal. Happy House currently offers a wide array of products including:
· Pure, organic honey. Produced locally and available in several different flavors, in addition to propolis, royal jelly, wax, pollen, and other bee related products.
· Traditional Tharu paintings, produced by local Tharu women. The Tharus are the indigenous inhabitants of the Chitwan area and have a rich cultural history.
· Waxed cotton paintings called Batiks, produced by local Thamang women.
· Ceramic dolls
· Baskets and bowls weaved from grass and bamboo, by the Chepang people of the Northern Chitwan Hills.
Some of the bowls are decorated using plastic candy wrappers woven into colorful designs; this practice helps to reduce litter while using it practically.
· Maithili paintings and crafts such as mirrors. Produced in Janakpur to provide women's development and skills enhancement.
· Hand woven shawls produced by local women's group

Visiting Happy House

Happy House has two locations in Sauraha, Chitwan, the main tourist entry point to Royal Chitwan National Park. If you would like to visit Happy House , you can learn more about the groups and products it supports, taste different local honeys, make field visits to the surrounding areas, and more. You can help to support Happy House by purchasing the products we offer, and also by sharing any ideas or suggestions. Happy House hopes to continue its tradition of supporting social welfare and continue to expand in the future.

Supported Organation

1. Janakpur women Development center
2. Fair Trade Group Nepal
3. Micro-Enterprise development Programme, MEDEP
4. Bachhauli Village Development Committee
5. Bagmara Bufferzone Communitte Forest-Chitwan
6. King Mahendra trust for Natural Conversation-Chitwan
7. Mahauthi-Kathamandu
8. Sana Hastakala-Kathamandu
9. Nepal Knotcraft center-Kathamandu

Attentation

All the tourists we need your help.Do you have any spare or unused clothes or FIRST-AID? If so, there are many local people who don't and can't afford, but relly need. Please denote any items at Happy House or send at the Address.

THANK YOU