newsmakers

A different take to charity

Published On: November 17, 2017 08:29 AM NPT By: The Week Bureau


In 2011, X-Pose Nepal, an organization working against sexual abuse and exploitation, came to the stark realization that they could no longer be dependent on donations only. They wanted to do something that enabled them to control their finances themselves. Hence to be a self-sustained organization, the founder president, Gyan Maharjan, being an art graduate himself started a small shop that sold paintings and sketches and named it the Charity Shop. 

Charity Shop, as its name suggests, is a social enterprise run with the motto to raise funds for X-Pose Nepal. Though the store initially sold paintings and other forms of fine arts, now it offers extensive varieties of handcrafted item such as wooden frames, souvenirs, hats, and key rings to name a few. A unique thing about the shop is that, aside from the paintings, all the products on display have been made by women. 

“We believe that going on rallies and shouting slogans against the government or demanding women’s rights aren’t the only ways to help uplift the condition of women. For them to take the lead, they need to be financially strong as well. So we aim to bridge the skills of women with the market so that they can make some money and earn a good living,” says Maharjan.

The shop first buys the products from women around the city and promotes them in the local market. The items do not need to be masterpieces but any small effort is appreciated and motivated. Once the item is sold, the profit is deposited in the reserve fund of X-Pose Nepal. The funds are then later used for other activities carried out by the organization. Also, the paintings and art at the Charity Shop aren’t only confined to the walls of the store. You can also regularly spot them at the Patan Museum and around Mangal Bazar during exhibitions that are held from time to time.  

Among the many activities organized by the Charity Shop, Maharjan lists the awareness programs in more than 35 schools of the valley and wood craving training to more than 30 underprivileged women as their most successful projects till date. Other than that they have also been providing legal support to victims of violence and abuse.

“Charity Shop is not only a platform for women to showcase their skills but it has also been helping them better their lives,” says Maharjan adding that they had been nominated for the Main Activist Award at the Honesty Oscar Awards for their work. But he also laments that they have to face many baseless accusations and criticisms. “There are many who think we are running the shop for personal profit,” he says. 

However, Maharjan says that false allegations cannot sway him and instead of feeling discouraged, it makes him want to work even harder and do more for the cause he has taken up. Also, despite the fact that the prices of the items on display are very reasonable, Maharjan has to deal with hours of bargaining and negotiations every single day but that doesn’t deter him from his noble path either. 

 


Leave A Comment