Crafted at 11,000 Feet: Beautiful Goods, Essential Support

Our story begins in the high Himalayas. Since the devastating earthquakes of 2015, we have anchored our mission in the remote valleys of Sama and Tsum—regions of breathtaking beauty, but unforgiving terrain.

The Challenge of Life Above the Clouds Living above 11,000 feet is a survival story. The growing season is short, the air is thin, and the soil is rocky. Even in good years, families here can cultivate only barley and potatoes—a harvest that is rarely enough to sustain a family’s nutritional needs.

For centuries, these hardy communities—including local families, monks, and nuns—relied on cross-border trade with the region of Tibet to survive. However, since the onset of COVID, the border with Tibet has remained closed. This has severed the economic lifeline of the region, leaving the people of Sama and Tsum with no way to trade and little money to buy food.

From Aid to Opportunity While our work began with delivering clothing and rebuilding schools, today’s crisis requires a new solution. We created this Fair Trade marketplace to provide what charity alone cannot: a sustainable future.

The artisans of these valleys have poured their heritage into the products you see here. But without a local market to sell them to, their skills cannot feed their children. This store bridges that gap.

Why Your Purchase Matters

For many of these mountain families, the proceeds from these goods are currently the only source of income they have to buy food.

When you shop with us, you aren't just purchasing a beautiful, handcrafted item. You are directly fighting hunger and providing dignity to the people of the high Himalayas. You are helping them turn their craftsmanship into the sustenance they need to survive.