In Nepal the weavers mostly live with their families on the manufacture areas where they work also. The bigger children attend state schools during the day. However, the little ones often spend their days between the looms. Label STEP founded day-care centres together with the carpet producers. The little children are supposed to be able to do their first steps in an environment appropriate for children and protected from wool dust and dangerous tools.

In 1996, together with a local carpet producer Label STEP founded the first day-care centre on a manufacture area near Kathmandu. The parents of the children all work as carpet weavers in the nearby manufactures. A place in child care for their little ones allows mothers and fathers to work undisturbed and their children to develop in an environment appropriate for children. Now children up to five years are no longer exposed to the noise and dust of the production. Nevertheless, the parents are close to their children, because the day-care centres are in close proximity of the manufactures.

After the pilot project ran successfully, up to now three day-care centres could be handed over completely to those responsible on site. At the moment Label STEP supports three day-care centres in the Kathmandu valley and further establishments are planned. In every day-care centre approximately 30 children from birth up to school maturity are looked after.

Step by step towards independence

The financial participation of the manufacture owners in the project helps to protect the sustainability of the day-care centres. By their participation the producers commit themselves to the project actively and demonstrate interest in the well-being of the families of their workers who also – at least symbolically – share the costs. Bit by bit, Label STEP withdraws from the project until the day-care centres can be left to the local structures completely.

It is a Label STEP concern that not only the carpet workers can live in a healthy environment, but also their families.