Weavers Helping Weavers

This campaign was launched by TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles and our partner Atlantic Spinners and Handweavers (ASH) in late 2009. Our goal was to raise funds to train 2 young women in weaving, natural dyeing and business skills at the Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women in Laos, designated a "least developed country" by the United Nations.

A successful fundraising campaign!

We raised over $950USD in this campaign thanks to individuals from across Canada and to the support of Canadian weaving groups -- ASH, Kedge Weavers Guild  in Nova Scotia and Nanoose Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild in British Columbia. A huge thanks to ASH for partnership -- and to these weaving guilds and all the individual donors.

Three young women from the northeast of Laos were able to receive 3 months of training in weaving, natural dyeing and business skills.

Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women -- Laos

Since 1998, the Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women has provided training and employment for Lao women from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is located on the outskirts of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The Centre was founded by a Lao woman, with financial help from Japanese organizations that assist women and children.

How will my donation help?

For just $10, you can sponsor a full day of training to help a woman develop skills vital to her to sustain herself, her family and her community. Your donation will also help sustain Lao traditional arts of dyeing and weaving silk.

You could join with others in your weaver/fibre guild (or any other group you belong to) and sponsor a woman for an entire 3-month residential training course in natural dyeing, traditional Lao weaving and small business administration at a cost of $850 USD.

Who's behind this?

This appeal was initiated by TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles, a Canadian social enterprise that helps women artisans in rural Thailand and Laos celebrate and sustain their weaving traditions, families and communities through fair trade. Weavers Helping Weavers was launched with a $400 donation from TAMMACHAT’s co-founder Ellen Agger, who won a bicycle in a local raffle and then sold it to establish this fund.

TAMMACHAT partnered with the Atlantic Spinner and Handweavers (ASH), which received and processed the donations.

How can I learn more? Can I still make a donation?

Visit Houey Hong's website at www.houeyhongcentre.com to learn more and make a donation directly to the centre. Visit the Support the Centre page for more info. Visit ASH online.