About Us


Kerala Crafts, a Bath based project,  was established in 2001, and became a registered charity in October 2010.  Its objects are to help provide an alternative to a life of poverty by supporting 5 projects in Kerala, south India:

Valsalya Bhavan -  home for rescued girls aged between 5 & 16 years

Adelaide Bhavan - independent living  for older orphaned girls

Vimala Welfare Centre - meeting the needs of marginalised women

Malabar Memsahib Welfare  - a women's stitching co-operative

Fair Cotton Cooperative Alliance - a range of fair trade cotton products 

All profits from Kerala Crafts sales are ploughed back to India to help provide financial support  for the above projects.


Made by ladies who smile

We want to reassure our customers that our artisans are happy and ......
  • work in a good environment, a far cry from the sweatshops so often sadly associated with India.  
  • All the ladies are within walking distance of the workshop - and times are flexible to fit around family commitments.
  • Receive higher than average wages, with annual pay increases.
  • Women of all ages, castes and religions are welcome to work here.
  • Enjoy safe, clean, peaceful and well lit workshops.
How Can I Help? 

Photo Gallery

Films

Patrons
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Proud to be a member of BAFTS

Kudumbashree is Kerala's unique poverty eradication scheme for women
How it Started
Kerala Crafts came into being after a holiday in Kerala and witnessing the plight of many marginalized people, particularly women.  I visited a women’s welfare centre whilst there and was impressed with the quality, designs and colours of the handicrafts the women were making.  I thought the  best way to help would be to buy the products, thus keeping the women in work.  I brought back a few things and showed them to family and friends – and the rest is history!  Seventeen years on, and we are still buying the lovely fair trade handicrafts.  We have also set up a women’s co-operative, who make our fair trade knickers, as well as supporting an orphanage for girls.  We operate strictly on a fair trade basis.
Christine Snow, Founder - Volunteer


Awards