Building a Women's Weaving Cooperative

Since its launch in September 2022, Project Mahampy Phase II has become a powerful story of women-led resilience, collaboration, and change. Over the past two and a half the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative has made remarkable strides.

Women weavers have deepened their technical knowledge through a train-the-trainer approach, with experienced members leading three weaving sessions. More than half the Cooperative joined the final session in November 2023, a testament to their enthusiasm for learning. A specialist-led workshop introduced value-added product design.

To strengthen operations, Cooperative members took part in six sessions on departmental roles and responsibilities, achieving an average 62% attendance. Meanwhile, 30 months of literacy training have strengthened foundational skills that extend far beyond the workshop.

The impact of financial inclusion has also been transformative. The education savings scheme, which has now run for three years, enabled dozens of weavers to cover annual school fees. Two rounds of the alternative loan scheme were fully repaid, and a third round was launched in April 2024. A newly designed financial literacy curriculum has already reached 85% of weavers and their partners.

Beyond livelihoods, ten women are now actively monitoring the health of the Mahampy wetlands, contributing to two data-driven reports using field and drone data. Their leadership is turning traditional knowledge into conservation science.

In the face of these remarkable strides, the Cooperative faced a major setback in March 2025, when Cyclone Jude made landfall in the area, damaging the workshop and some of the previously handwoven stock.

Thanks to supporters like you, the repairs are underway. The workshop is being rebuilt stronger than before, with a cyclone-resistant roof, a new concrete wall, and even a 2,000-litre rainwater tank to provide clean water for drinking and handwashing. These upgrades will not only restore the workshop, but will protect it for years to come.

With each woven mat, savings deposit, or survey completed, the women are building something bigger: a future rooted in dignity, opportunity, and environmental care.

Thank you for your support