Noah’s Ark was founded & started by Mr. Samuel Masih from one room of his house in 1986 when nobody knew “Fair Trading” in Moradabad and people made fun of this idea. The idea came following his previous work experience when Mr. Samuel observed that the artisans were not confident in presence of his other business associates & he discovered that these associates were taking a personal commission from these artisans for each order. He studied on the working terms and conditions of metal crafts men of Moradabad and observed that the big exporters were not involving their money in the production at all. They were not only using the small artisan’s money but also were giving very low wages.

These situations gave him the will to create an organization, which would be honest toward the artisans sustaining good relationships, based on reciprocated trust. Samuel was persuaded that, on the long run the quality of relationship with artisans would be better and better. After the difficulties of the beginning, Noah’s Ark came to a turning point in 1988, when Samuel came in contact with ‘Sullivan Florist’ in the United States where he explained the Goals & Objectives to the owner Mrs. Sullivan. She was very impressed and showed her interest to work closely with Noah’s Ark and placed instantly an order for US$ 70,000. This is the first Noah’s Ark big order, the one that made all difference. We came in contact with Tear Fund in 1990 and when they saw our work & objectives, export started directly to them and also with Artisanat-SEL in February 1991. Goed Werk and TEAM followed in 1993 and Oxfam Australia in 94. In the same time period, Noah’s Ark expanded in different directions.

Noah’s Ark was now handling the polishing along with the packing and checking. In the years 1994 – 1997, polishing, plating and box manufacturing units were established by investing money in old buildings during 2002-04 we were able to complete our new premises where we have our office, more room for storage, polishing, welding, plating and box manufacturing with better working conditions. So during 1990-2007 our export gradually increased from US$ 15000 to roughly US$ 1.5 million and almost 80% of our buyers are Fair Trade Buyers.

In 2000 Noah’s Handicrafts & Welfare Society was formed with the association of artisans to look into Artisan Welfare, Capacity Building, Children education and community and social work.