Meeting the makers: Vientiane

 

Although my last post might suggest that my travels are entirely for pleasure, rest assured, I’m not just slacking off – there’s a bit of business involved too. When I went to Vientiane, Laos, last week, I dropped in to visit the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center to explore ways we could work together, so here is a quick post on what’s going on there.

The women receive training in various handicrafts and skills including sewing…

The social aspect of things seems as important as anything else – the women all looked very happy to be learning in such a supportive and friendly environment.

There is also training in paper crafts such as making beads from recycled paper…

The women make paper from mulberry leaves too, so I saw my chance and asked them to make boxes for my Wilderness Bazaar jewellery. Here’s Kantaly with the very first one!