A New Beginning for the Women

In the biting chill of December, when the winds swept across the high-altitude plains of Changthang, something remarkable unfolded in the remote village of Maan in Ladakh. Ten determined women from the community came together, not just to endure the cold, but to embrace a new opportunity. For seven days, from December 17th to 23rd, they immersed themselves in a training program designed to build skills and open doors. This initiative was made possible through the efforts of GHE in partnership with the Explore Foundation.

The women of Maan were introduced to the timeless art of spinning and weaving, learning how to transform raw wool into beautiful finished products on the loom. Their teacher was a woman from Phobran, someone who just two years earlier had stood where they were and was trained by GHE. Now she had returned as a mentor, carrying forward the skills she had once received. It was a powerful circle of knowledge with women teaching women, ensuring that these traditions would not be lost.

For the women of Maan, this was not just about learning a craft. It was about shaping a future. Until now, everything had been done painstakingly by hand, slow and exhausting. But with the arrival of two traditional looms, two mobile looms, and a spinning wheel, their work began to flow with new ease. The spinning wheel especially felt like magic with its rhythm powered by their feet, turning wool into thread almost effortlessly. For the first time, the women could see how age-old skills paired with the right tools could open the door to livelihoods and independence.

Local women posing with the tools that power their new livelihood

Soon after the training, the women created their first pieces, mufflers woven on traditional looms and liners for the beds. They kept these early creations with them, a small reminder of how far they had come. By January they started working with raw materials like sheep wool to make beanies, caps and scarves.

A banner placed outside the Women’s Artisan Hub in Maan Village

The Women’s Artisan Hub

To give their craft a proper home, GHE built a Women’s Artisan Hub in Maan village. It became the heart of this initiative in the form of a space where all the looms and spinning wheels were moved in so that the women could sit together, work and share ideas. The hub is solar-powered, ensuring light and energy even during Ladakh’s long harsh winters. It also has basic amenities like chairs, carpets and tables making the women feel comfortable and respected while they work.

A view of the artisan hub where local women create woolen crafts

On 18th September this year, the hub was officially inaugurated. But the women had already moved in a few months earlier, filling the space with stories and the soft rhythm of looms. A board outside marks it proudly as their own place, inviting travelers to stop by and see their handicrafts. Finished products will also be made available in local homestays, giving guests a chance to take home these souvenirs.

A group of women standing together in front of the Women’s Artisan Hub

Work, Life and Dreams

For now, the women are working with sheep wool, as pashmina is more expensive. They make products like mufflers, scarves and caps, with prices ranging from ₹800 to ₹3000 depending on the material. Once they generate some income, they hope to buy pashmina and start creating high-quality pashmina goods.

Women busy weaving on looms and spinning wheels inside the hub

These ten women balance everything, their household chores, daily farming activities in summer and now weaving in the winter. Slowly, they are forming a small group that will soon be registered formally. This will give them recognition, identity and the strength to continue this journey together.

More Than Just Wool

This initiative is not only about weaving wool into fabric. It is about weaving courage into opportunity. For the women of Maan, every scarf or muffler made is a symbol of independence. Winters in Ladakh are long and silent, often leaving little scope for farming or other work. Now, those same winters are turning into a season of creation, where their hands and skills give life to something beautiful.

A woolen muffler taking shape on the loom

The Women’s Artisan Hub stands as a reminder that when women are given the right tools and training, they can transform not only their own lives but also the story of their entire community. With GHE’s support in marketing and branding, these women are ready to share their crafts with the world.