“Swirls” Hanging Decoration

Artisan's Story
Raju Sapkota, 45
Making brass & copper jewelry items, wall decorations, carving designs

I am the eldest son in our family of 4 brothers and 2 sisters with my parents. I belong to a large family, but currently I have been living with my wife and 2 children near my workshop at Tikathali. I completed my Higher Education level and couldn’t study further. It was same with my siblings who studied until Grade 10 due to poverty.

As being eldest son, I had the feeling to contribute to the family basket to sustain the family so I started looking for job. I came to realize the importance of money. I had few friends who used to do metal works and earn much. So at the age of 22 I started to go to help my friends at his work. For a complete year I worked with him without money with the motive to learn the metal work. Gradually my work became better and I started to work on orders with my friends for a jewelry and handicraft store. I worked from metal to silver and later in gold. As the price of silver rose, our clients drastically decreased the order and it was hard for me to work and to sustain my family.

Couple of years back, one day I went to Dhukuti to show my products and to get some orders – if  possible. I was advised to visit ACP and meet the production head to show my metal works. I came here at ACP and showed my previous works. The samples and finishing of my products were appreciated and I was asked to make few samples for ACP. After couple of revisits and working on new product samples for 3-4 months, the order was placed and I have been working for ACP since almost 5 years now.

I am grateful that my almost entire income is from ACP. Most importantly, it is not a seasonal based work and I have a reliable source of income. Additionally, we do not have to fear on leak of our designs and samples which provides security for our work. Ever since I’ve joined ACP I have been able to give works to additional 20 artisans and our financial status has uplifted. Now we can afford the education of our children in a good boarding school.