About Us

Dolma Designs is a socially responsible company that specializes in Fair Trade, handcrafted accessories, gifts and home decor from India and Nepal. Dolma Designs supports communities in South Asia through fair trade and education. We find it essential to enable artists to generate a sustainable income and to equip children with the knowledge and skills they need to lead successful lives.

Dolma Designs was named by a Buddhist Geshe who resides in India at a Tibetan monastery. He blessed the endeavor by naming it ‘Dolma'. Dolma is the Tibetan word for Tara, who symbolizes compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe said, “she is like the wave in the ocean that brings the drowning people to shore.” Dolma’s ceaseless compassion is the inspiration for Dolma Designs.

Education

Dolma Designs donates 15% of our proceeds to schools for children living in poverty in India. Visit our education page to learn more about the schools we support.  
 

Fair Trade

Dolma Designs is committed to the principles of fair trade. We work with fair trade co-ops that were established to ensure artisans fair wages, good working conditions and health care. Fair Trade is a practice that works to strengthen equality within the global market by

* Paying artisans and producers fair wages
* Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions
* Providing health care for artisans and their families
* Incorporating practices for environmental preservation

Dolma Designs is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF). The FTF is a member based organization that joins fair trade businesses together and educates the public about the importance of fair trade practices.

 

Education

In our effort to support communities in South Asia, Dolma Designs donates 15% of our proceeds to Tong-Len, a school in Himachal Pradesh, India. Education is vital to the success of future generations. 
 

The Charan village is a community of migrant Indians who came to village of Dharamsala to find work but found minimal opportunities. Their living conditions are difficult; lacking education, medical facilities, proper shelter and nutrition. Tong-Len is a non-profit organization that works with the community to improve their lives. They provide medical assistance, revenue producing projects, a gardening co-op and schools. Dolma Designs contributes to Tong-Lenʼs education initiatives. Each family in the Charan village lives in a tent.  Thanks to Tong-Len, the tents are covered with thick tarps that help but still cannot fully protect from inclement Dharamsala weather.

Tong-Len established a boarding school minutes away from the Charan village where children can focus on studying, have nutritious and consistent meals and maintain better health. The school is seeing great progress. The children are competing and winning state-wide competitions. It is quite a transformation as many of them spent the first 5-10 years of their lives begging on the streets. Now their dreams of being doctors and engineers stand a chance to come true. For further information visit Tong-Len's website.

Photos courtesy of Julia King