Samunnat Inc.

Samunnat Inc. is an incorporated association, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission in 2014. It was formed to support and partner the Nepalese NGO ‘Samunnat Nepal’ which started in 2007. We have had a relationship since its early days.

Our mission is to assist women in Nepal who have experienced violence or abuse to rebuild their lives. We do this in several ways. Firstly, we raise funds that are transferred to Samunnat Nepal so that their board can run its programs. Historically, most of this money has been raised by the fair trade of polymer jewellery. Now, there is a tailoring program that is also producing goods for local and international sale. Samunnat Inc. sells the products internationally by supplying retail shops and selling on our website. We also receive donations and hold fund-raising activities in Australia. We have active partnerships with artists in the USA and Europe who support Samunnat’s mission.

The Samunnat Inc. committee also provides mentoring and advice to the Nepalese women and the board. Two of our members provide regular training for women learning production skills. Mentoring and training are given regularly by phone, Zoom and face-to-face. Members travel to Nepal twice every year.

Samunnat Nepal is run by a Board that reports to Government of Nepal authorities. Our vision is that the role of Samunnat Inc. will become smaller as the members of Samunnat Nepal gain skills and confidence.