Artisan Training for Women in Madagascar

Friends and Supporters,

As we approach the end of 2015, we have much to reflect on. On one hand, SEPALI artisans made more than they ever have before, resulting in a 45% increase in earnings from last year to this year. Our artisans are very happy! We thought you’d like to hear some of the things they have to say:

“I started with SEPALI last year, and we were working a week here and a week there. Starting this year, we were able to work more consistently and we started working together really well. I like working with the other artisans and I hope that the project continues to grow.” – Anita, SEPALI Artisan 2015

"I hope that the work of SEPALI continues because I can see that it is changing my life. Before, I did not even have money to buy rice, and now it is not a problem. With SEPALI, I learned sewing skills and handicrafts that are helping me save money. If the project continues, I hope to one day buy land and build a house of my own." - Francine, SEPALI Artisan 2015

"Before I started working with SEPALI, I was a bread-baker and I had to teach my own children because I could not afford to send them to a good school. Now that I am working with SEPALI, I can send my kids to private school where they will get a real education. I'm saving money now and I am hoping to build a concrete house with the money that I earn." - Meline, SEPALI Artisan 2015

We are, of course, thrilled with the positive feedback from our artisans. The trend was reflected in earnings for artisans (~45% increase), silk production (>40% increase) and sales (5-fold increase). Our silk products won certification by Wildlife Friendly this year and are now carried by a number of major retailers. The dyeing experiments by our team caught the eye of our partner, dConstruct, and they released two new lines of wild silk jewelry this fall. These successes would never have been possible without the support of our donors and we are so proud of what we have accomplished together!

Reflections, however, must also include what we can improve on. Although the number of workshop opportunities increased dramatically this year and the artisans who were able to participate were very happy, overall artisan participation fell by 25%. In speaking with the artisans who did not participate, we realized that the cocoon targets, which determine participation in workshops, were exclusively high this year for our most vulnerable farmers and the time requirements for the workshops continue to be challenging for artisans who live far from our training facility.

We listened. In an effort to address these challenges, SEPALI will launch a new program next year. In addition to the design workshops held weekly at our training center in Maroantsetra, the SEPALI team will develop satellite silk centers in the surrounding rural communities. The project will include the installation of manual sewing machines and new product designs that will make silk production more accessible to our most vulnerable farmers. We expect the project to double artisan participation in silk production over the next couple of years.

In addition, CPALI will be sending two design consultants from the US to work with the team in Madagascar to develop new product lines for the silk. The team will also continue to work on natural dyes in partnership with CITE, a Malagasy NGO focused on livelihood development.

We would love your help to expand our silk programs! For 2016, we are hoping to invest in new sewing machines to expand access to the rural communities, fund expert training from international design consultants, send the Director of Women’s Programs, Lalaina, to a partnership symposium with CITE, and finish the moth garden on the SEPALI demonstration site. 

Thank you again for everything you have done and we hope that you will continue to support us in 2016!

Best,

Kerry O’Neill and the CPALI/SEPALI team