Artisan Training for Women in Madagascar

This summer, the SEPALI program was conditionally selected for a small grant award from the Ambassador's Self Help Program in Madagascar! The grant, which is scheduled to be funded from September 2016 to September 2017, will allow the SEPALI team to expand the silk program and increase the accessibility of the project to artisans in rural communities.

Our success with the grant is due, in part, to the exciting momentum that has been building since the design workshop with consultant Docey Lewis this past March. Since the workshop, artisans have been producing colorful silks and filling orders at a staggering pace. The new color line is now officially released and the range of products produced by the team has expanded from our original silk panels to new materials, colorful dyes, intricate patterns and intriguing new uses for the silks. The team recently tapped into some of the training center funds as well to construct a new silk drying house and a dyeing house. Consequently, the workshop model has evolved from an intermittent schedule with a handful of workshops per year into a continuous, year-round production with opportunities for women to earn money every week. 

The unintended consequence of the continuous design workshops is that they favor Maroantsetra-based artisans with the means and luxury of a short commute. In an effort to better engage the surrounding rural communities in the artisan craft again, we have been pursuing means of funding the expansion of the program, including the Ambassador's grant. 

Our responsibility in this grant is a significant one. While the grant promises to help with equipment and resources, it relies on the greater SEPALI community to contribute the expertise, training, transportation and project implementation on the ground. Any donations you can contribute towards this end would be greatly appreciated! Keep your eyes peeled for the exciting new developments this year and thank you for your support.