Help Madagascar Silk Weavers Share Their Experiences and Work Towards Sustainability

For years now, there has been one Peace Corps Volunteer's project that many of us in Madagascar have been jealous of: working with silk weavers in Sandrandahy. We were jealous because the volunteers there had an interesting project (working with a silk cooperative to expand their market and improve their business practices) and dedicated counterparts (the silk weavers themselves). But even with those caveats, the work proved challenging, and it took the dedication of two separate volunteers, Melanie and Natalie, to really help the cooperative expand and grow. And grow they did! The Federation Sahalandy shipped its silk products to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market last year, bringing one of the silk weavers along to tell her story and learn the details of international sales and marketing. This year they hope to go once again, and aimed at bringing two members and participating in more events. Unfortunately, the grant they received last year is not available again. I will let current PCV Natalie explain further:

2011 was a year of successes for the women of SAHALANDY. Our participation in the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market brought in around $40,000 of products sold. And our successes did not go unnoticed - our experience in Santa Fe was features in the Peace Corps worldwide publication, among others. We were also selected to be filmed for a documentary on behalf of the Santa Fe Market. At the end of March, the crew commissioned by the Market, including acclaimed director David Evans, will be coming to Madagascar to begin filming! The documentary will feature exclusively the life and work of the silk weavers of SAHALANDY, and will be released later this year. So 2012 is proving to be another successful year for us.

We've been lucky again to be accepted into the 2012 Market happening July 13-15, which the women are very excited for. The goal this year, however, aside from selling silk and engaging in in cross-cultural exchange, is to work towards sustainability of the organization. This means empowering more members with this valuable experience and encouraging them to establish stronger, more sustainable networks with buyers abroad. In order to help achieve this aim, we've decided to send two members to this year's Market.

Fortunately, last year, we were awarded financial aid from the Market for both translator and artist, which was very helpful. But this year, we were not able to apply a second time for that funding - and in combination with the many shipping and customs fees we encountered last year, we have had difficulty saving enough to send two participants for 2012. The women are beyond excited to share their experiences and expertise on silk with the world. They are motivated and hard-working, learning English two times a week in between silk weaving and preparing for the documentary filming.

But the expenses to send two members are daunting. The federation must come up with upwards of $7,500 for transportation (flights and bus fares), booth fees, and food/accommodation. If you feel led to contribute toward sending two of members, in whatever way, the weavers and I would be so grateful. Last year was an amazing experience and I would like to see the success continue for these deserving women, even after I finish my service.

Now, not only has Federation Sahalandy been accepted to the Santa Fe show and chosen for a documentary, but they are headed to the New York International Gift Show in August as well. The costs are large, but the group is working towards long-term sustainability and needs a boost now to help it continue. This is one of those great Peace Corps projects, where the women are the driving force behind their own business, and it is a story we can all be proud of. If you would like to contribute, please email me (cplanicka at gmail dot com) for details. To close, here is a photo of silk weaver Prisca at the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary in Washington, DC last year...

http://www.sahalandy.org/worldview%20article.pdf