It all began in 1982, when Oxfam UK working in several development projects in Indonesia suggested that CD Bethesda start a handicrafts unit to help small-scale craftsmen and also to provide a source of income to the unemployed who were willing to learn and get involved in the handicrafts trade through alternative trading or fair trade. Thus CD Craft was born.

CD Bethesda Craft is one of the supporting program in PHC (Primary Health Care) of UPKM CD Bethesda (The Community Development Unit of Bethesda Hospital) which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1974 based on the principle of “hospital without walls” to extend holistic health care services focused on providing health solutions and services for marginalized communities, especially those in rural areas in Yogjakarta, Indonesia.

CD Bethesda Craft producer partners consist of talented local artisans who live within the vicinity of Yogjakarta, offering a variety of quality products artfully handcrafted from wood, ceramics, silver, iron, stone, bamboo, water hyacinth and other plant fibres.