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PROJECTS
Current and past project support
The Fondation LOOM supports projects for women and girls in the structurally disadvantaged countries of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal and India. These can be projects by internationally active aid organisations as well as projects by local partner organisations. Here we present the projects we are supporting so far.
LOTUS SILK
Sustainable textile innovation project
At Lotus Silk, we believe in the importance of preserving traditional techniques, while contributing to reduce social inequalities in Cambodia.
We chose to support decent living conditions for our staff and members, and promote inclusive, sustainable and equitable practice as a way of life.
We are committed to doing our part and supporting local production, providing employment opportunities encouraging livelihood and further career development. Our stuff and partners are regularly trained and acquire transferable skills, promoting their specialized professional development. But are also receiving personal support, assisting them in the task of constantly learning and growing their capacity.
© Louise Lesaffre
SOLIDAR SUISSE
Higher wages in clothing factories
Numerous international textile manufacturers have their products made in Cambodia - where working conditions are poor and wages are low. Solidar Suisse is therefore working with local partners to improve working conditions and enforce the rights of workers in garment factories.
The aim of the project is to strengthen workers' ability to negotiate with employers. This is why they are trained to use the "Better Factories Cambodia" tool, among other things. This is a database in which facts and figures on the conditions in the textile factories are recorded and collected. Access to this data allows workers to make fact-based arguments to employers to demand better working conditions. Furthermore, trade union representatives, especially women, are trained to effectively represent the interests of workers in negotiations.
A trade union member who works in a shoe factory in Cambodia says:
"I used to be afraid to express my opinion. I would never have dared to speak up to the factory management about the poor working conditions. I took part in many training courses: on labor law, women's leadership, social dialogue and negotiations. These have given me the confidence to negotiate with the employer and share my skills with other union members."
This project has contributed to achieving important results, such as increasing the minimum wage to 192 dollars per month and improving access to social benefits for workers.
USTHI
Women’s shelters in Hydrabad
Since 2012, Usthi has offered shelter and rehabilitation to 20 women who had to flee from their homes in a women’s shelter in Hyderabad. Here they live in a community, cope with everyday life and are cared for around the clock. In addition to medical examinations, the women can also take advantage of therapeutic support. In addition, together with a longstanding local partner, Usthi has set up a project to better protect girls and young women who have been victims of temple slavery.
For about a year Usthi provides the women with a new, safe home, from where they can make the transition to a regulated and independent everyday life. The residents of the women’s shelters have the opportunity to attend the professional skills training courses offered nearby and thus qualify for regular work. The training strengthens their self-confidence and is an important step on their way to a self-determined life. The women also live in the same place as the children of the Usthi children’s homes. This creates an exchange between the children and the women, which brings added value for both. For the women the encounter with these children is often very valuable, because they do not judge them and the interaction is without prejudice.
© usthi.ch
TAI BAAN
Producer group training
TaiBaan is a fair trade social business that works with traditional handicraft artisans to preserve and promote Lao village crafts, create employment opportunities for villagers – mostly women – and reduce poverty.
TaiBaan works both on improving the production and marketing of the Lao multi-ethnic handcrafts traditions by broadening its product range, product quality and securing domestic and foreign markets on behalf of rural artisan groups.
TaiBaan is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, and strictly adheres to international fair trade principles to ensure that artisans receive a fair price for their products and all benefits extend to the whole community.
To date, TaiBaan works with about 15 village crafts groups numbering more than 250 women producers across ten provinces in Laos.
© Tai Baan Crafts
TAEC
Artisan Training Programmes
The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) is a social enterprise founded in 2006 to celebrate the cultural diversity of Laos and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural ethnic communities. Currently TAEC works with over 600 artisans in 13 provinces to produce handicrafts based on traditional skills. These crafts are sold in TAECs two stores in one Luang Prabang town as well as its online shop. TAEC provides training and interest -free loans to its producers and 50% of its shop income goes directly back to the artisans.
The two weeks training consists of prototyping products Creating a color and matrial chart
calculating pricing conducting handicrafts and livelihood survey with artisans Following-up training 3–6- month later
© TAEC
HELVETAS
Skills for Employment (S4E) Myanmar
The project teaches life competencies, practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to socially disadvantaged adolescents. Courses are offered in the areas of construction, motorcycle mechanics, tailoring, and hair and beauty care. The beneficiaries have dropped out of school early, are from remote areas or are members of ethnic and religious minorities. Half of all beneficiaries are female.
© HELVETAS
CO-OPERAID
Okad Thisong, Laos
In the city of Savannakhet, a main hub for human trafficking on the border with Thailand, our local partner SengSavang runs a women’s shelter. It offers a safe home where girls and women receive holistic care. In order to allow a sustainable socio-economic reintegration, the shelter offers basic education and vocational training in tailoring and sewing, cooking, beauty care and weaving.
© CO-OPERAID
