Woven
Silk, Cambodia
The photo, courtesy of
Wilk Boar Creek
LLC, shows Chamrong spinning silk. The silk shawls come
from
Prek Chrook, a rural village in southeastern Cambodia, about 6 miles
from
Phnom Penh (3 hours by car or via boat in the wet season). About
175 families live in the village, most families having 3-6
children.
The village has no electricity, running water, or telephone service. A
school was built in 1998 (with private money), but the children have no
textbooks or school supplies.
Our silk scarves, silk purses,
and silk accessories are all handwoven or handmade by the villagers:
subsistence
rice farmers, landmine victims, widowed mothers, and other
disadvantaged
Cambodians. Our importer pays fair prices and is deeply committed to
helping
these talented but poverty-stricken people improve their standard of
living.
Colorful
clothing,
accessories, and mayan wreaths from Guatemala
These
beautiful products
are made by a group of women living in La Esperance (Hope), on the
outskirts
of Guatemala City. It began as a squatter settlement with homes
made
of cardboard and tin and has developed so many homes are now made of
cement
block. The community continues to face problems of illiteracy,
unemployment,
gangs, malnutrition, and lack of affordable health care. In 1990,
ten women started Unidas Para Vivir Mejor (United to Live
Better).
These women have brought hope to their community. With their
craft
sales, they have established a medical clinic, children's center, and
Montessori
school. They plan to expand to a 6th grade, provide services for the
elderly,
and start a typing school.
The sale of
their beautiful
crafts, clothing, and accessories help fund their hope. We carry their
colorful vests, woven bags & purses, mayan doll wreathes (a lovely
housewarming gift), and lots of hair accessories.
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