Our mission is to support ethnic minorities, protect their heritage, and support the educational needs of the children of the Tribes.
We want you to THINK about the impact that your choices have on the environment, other people and their cultures.
We buy directly from Tribes around the world to encourage the younger generations to learn their ancestor's handcraft which is an important part of their culture. In recent years, most younger members of the Tribes are moving to bigger cities looking for jobs and better lives.
We hope that by providing them opportunities to earn extra income learning and making the traditional handcraft in their home villages we can change this trend and protect the Tribes craft from extinction.
The second part of our mission is supporting children's education.
 
A percentage of our profits is invested in education so every child can learn to read and write, giving them a fair chance at a prosperous life beyond poverty and homelessness.
 
Follow our journey on social media:
 
@UPAYA_within
#Livewithahigherpurpose
#Shopwithahigherpurpose
 
Our pillows:
We work with skilled embroiderers from different ethnic minorities around the world. 
This beautiful meditation cushion was made by Hmong Tribe using traditional handwoven methods.
 
Fabric:
 
Superior Properties

Hemp fiber is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers. Products made from hemp will outlast their competition by many years. Not only is hemp strong, but it also holds its shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber. This prevents hemp garments from stretching out or becoming distorted with use. Hemp may be known for its durability, but its comfort and style are second to none. The more hemp is used, the softer it gets. Hemp doesn't wear out, it wears in. Hemp is also naturally resistant to mold and ultraviolet light.
 
Environmental Advantages

Hemp is an extremely fast growing crop, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source. Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land. The amount of land needed for obtaining equal yields of fiber place hemp at an advantage over other fibers.

Hemp grows best in warm tropical zones or in moderately cool, temperate climates, such as the United States. Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise be troublesome. Where the ground permits, hemp's strong roots descend for three feet or more. The roots anchor and protect the soil from runoff, building and preserving topsoil and subsoil structures similar to those of forests. Moreover, hemp does not exhaust the soil. Hemp plants shed their leaves all through the growing season, adding rich organic matter to the topsoil and helping it retain moisture. Farmers have reported excellent hemp growth on land that had been cultivated steadily for nearly 100 years.
 
Hemp Today

As a fabric, hemp provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile but with a superior durability seldom found in other materials. Hemp is extremely versatile and can be used for countless products such as apparel, accessories, shoes, furniture, and home furnishings. Apparel made from hemp incorporates all the beneficial qualities and will likely last longer and withstand harsh conditions. Hemp blended with other fibers easily incorporates the desirable qualities of both textiles. The soft elasticity of cotton or the smooth texture of silk combined with the natural strength of hemp creates a whole new genre of fashion design.
The possibilities for hemp fabrics are immense. It is likely that they will eventually supersede cotton, linen, and polyester in numerous areas. With so many uses and the potential to be produced cheaply, hemp textiles are the wave of the future!
 
Credit: https://www.hemptraders.com/Hemp-Textile-Properties-s/1881.htm
 
Measurements:
Diameter approx. 40 cm
Width approx. 10 cm
Weight approx 2-2.2 kg
 
History:
 
"Since ancient times Tribe Hmong people have used motifs and patterns to represent their daily life and culture onto the designs of their textiles. No two jackets, bags or skirts are the same, as every garment is handcrafted to communicate a stage in the owner's life.”*1
 
What is Batik?
 
Batik is a “resist” process for making designs on fabric. The artist uses wax to prevent dye from penetrating the cloth, leaving “blank” areas in the dyed fabric.
 
What is Indigo Dye?
 
Indigo dye has been used for thousands of years by civilizations all over the world to dye fabric blue. As much as 1 tonne of leaves are needed to produce just 2kg of dye. Natural indigo is also a sustainable dye; after the pigment has been extracted the plant residue can be composted and used as a fertilizer and the water reused to irrigate crops.
 
Attention
 
The handmade nature of Hmong textiles means that they may have imperfections from the natural process of weaving, batik application and dying, often further adding to their character and uniqueness.
Colors may differ ever so slightly to the pictures due to different viewing monitors/device displays.
 
Fabric Care:
 
Wash the fabric in cold/lukewarm water, ideally by hand, and dry in shade. Salting the water slightly helps prevent further dye loss.
1* http://hauteculturefashion.com/hmong-textile-patterns/
 
 
Filling:
 
Buckwheat hulls are an all-natural option that’s safe for both you and the environment. 
The hulls are compostable, which helps to reduce unnecessary waste in our landfills and keep our soil healthy and nutrient-rich for future generations.
 
Buckwheat pillow’s properties:
 
- Cooling ability – is due to the breathable nature of buckwheat hull fill. The unique shape of the individual buckwheat hulls inside the pillow allows air to flow more freely through the pillow, aiding the evaporation of that moisture. The evaporation produces a cooling effect similar to a fan’s.
- Superior support – a buckwheat pillow’s adjustable loft provides ideal support for everyone regardless of body type or sleep position.
 
 
#SHOPwithahigherpurpose - contribute to saving endangered Tribal cultures and make a positive impact on the environment.