About KTS

Established in 1983 by former State Council Member, Mr Siddhi Bahadur Khadgi, Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS) is an educational and vocational training centre supporting the needs of low-income families throughout Nepal. As a non-profit, Fair Trade NGO, KTS believes that “equal opportunities for all” is a fundamental human right.

KTS was initially established to assist the local Pode community of street sweepers because, as a caste of untouchables, these people had been denied education and employment opportunities. The rest of society shunned them and it was virtually impossible to break free of the traditional caste occupations of street sweepers, butchers and small farmers. Kabindra Khadga, the youngest son of the Founder Chairman, implemented the first KTS programmes in 1983. A childcare project for street cleaning workers was established, followed by adult literacy classes and a nutrition and health clinic, including an immunisation programme.

In 1984, KTS opened a primary school and introduced a carpet weaving training programme for adults. The KTS organisation today encompasses a free nursery and primary school for 250 children and offers welfare and education for up to 20 orphan/semi-orphan children in the KTS orphanage. KTS provides vocational training for women and young men in carpet weaving, hand knitting and carpentry.

As a founder member of Fair Trade Group Nepal and a member of WFTO and WFTO Asia, KTS strongly believes in Fair Trade practices and is committed to working with its producers to create Fair Trade products. KTS supports Fair Trade income-generating programmes for its producers, through the sale of high-quality Fair Trade carpets, knitwear and furniture, which fund and sustain the KTS activities. KTS also runs a day-care centre for the children of trainees, producers and staff, free of cost.

KTS is managed by a seven-member Executive Committee, which makes all the policy decisions relating to the organisation. The Director of KTS has overall responsibility for policy implementation. The KTS administrative team manages the organisation’s day-to-day running. The KTS primary school teachers’ committee bears responsibility for the Nursery and Primary School. The administration staff and a vocational teachers’ committee oversee the Vocational School.

What We Do

KTS offers key opportunities to create a secure future. Local children from low-income families learn vital literacy skills and receive a broad education in the KTS Nursery and Primary School. Vocational training in carpet weaving, hand knitting and carpentry opens access to a wide range of employment opportunities. KTS assists in the creation of income-generating programmes that directly benefit low-income groups and, in particular, women and the physically disabled. Orphans and destitute women are offered a home, education and training. KTS also works to empower the local community and the wider population to take responsibility for themselves and their future. As a founder member of Fair Trade Group Nepal and a member of WFTO and WFTO Asia, as well as a member of Nepal RugMark Foundation KTS strongly believes in Fair Trade practices and is committed to working with its producers to create Fair Trade products.