The mission of the World Craft Council is “to empower artisans, celebrate cultural diversity, contribute to sustainable development by supporting the rich tapestry of global craftsmanship, and preserving languishing crafts from extinction.” In the Maryknoll Lay Missioners Newsletters Collection, I encountered the work of former Maryknoll Lay Missioners David and Alison Purvis in Vietnam. Their ministry embodied the mission of the World Craft Council, making a difference in the lives of individual artisans who, in turn, impacted entire villages. Follow them on their journey below:
“CRAFT LINK – THE SHOP
We are also working with the group CraftLink[.] [I]t is a Vietnamese not-for-profit organization which acts in the best interest of traditional craft producers. CraftLink connects producers to new markets and builds self-sufficiency for producers. Sales profits are used to fund various craft development activities such as business training, product development and market awareness. CraftLink seeks to ensure that producers receive a fair wage and work in reasonable conditions which do not threaten their health or the environment. We have just opened a store! Come visit…”
Ȃu Lac Newsletter, June 1996
“Nam Ha Craft Assistance Group
While visiting and working with our skill training program in Nam Ha province, we learned there were three villages nearby that were traditional craft producers. We also learned that they produce the crafts to supplement their farming income and that the money was necessary to the families welfare. We decided to visit the villages to look at their crafts and to learn a little about their lives. It was a fascinating journey for its beauty and the opportunity to visit remote villages and the people who live there. All the villages asked for help in selling their products. They currently sell to various intermediaries who occasionally visit. It is inconsistent and low income.[..]
Besides the lace making village there is a carving village and an embroidery village, all with similar circumstances. We immediately agreed to help the villages. We were able to group them all together and help them hire a booth at the 1996 Vietnam International Handicraft Exhibition with the intention of introducing their products directly to merchants and exporters. Fortunately the exhibition also turned into a selling space and we were able to generate immediate income for the villages! It was a positive experience and gave invaluable feedback to the producers. With this good experience under their belts, they are excited to participate in another exhibition in October. This exhibition the villages will still receive some help from us financially and in product development, but they are all responsible for working together to run the booth and make contacts throughout the 10 days. The direct experience with the customer will go a long way in boosting their confidence and training them how to sell their beautiful products themselves. Let us all wish them well.”
Ȃu Lac Newsletter, September 1996
“CRAFT LINK BAZAAR[,] November 24, 1996
We are happy to announce the 6th Craftlink handicraft bazaar! As in the past, Craft producers that do not have a regular access to markets and other marginating issues are invited to display and sell their goods at the bazaar. It is a wonderful attraction to Hanoi’s large expatriate community and tourists as well. As you sit down for your Thanksgiving meal, please remember these folks who are striving to make a living and remember you have all our thanks for making these opportunities available.”
Ȃu Lac Newsletter, September 1996
“HANDICRAFT BAZAAR RESULTS!!
The November Craftlink handicraft bazaar was an unqualified success for every producer group that participated. The Maryknoll sponsored group included the women tailors from the Nam Ha skill training, the children of Leprosy victims group (Leprosy victims are persecuted here and forced to live in camps, their children although uninfected, suffer the same fate), the lace making village, the embroidery village and the carving village. We were able to sell over 33,000,000 vnd (about $3,000) in one day! The Maryknoll booth was voted ‘most improved’ and all the producers were amazed to see their products create so much interest and enthusiasm with the 2,000 people who visited that day. The proceeds have gone a long way in allowing the groups to operate their businesses independently! We will continue to give our support as needed with design, marketing and quality control.”
Ȃu Lac Newsletter, March 1997
“PROJECT UPDATES!!!
The most exciting development over the past few months is the completion of the tailoring workshop for the graduates of Tho Nghiep. They have been in production and very successful for over a year, but were always leasing equipment and space. Thanks to your generous donations, these 8 women have purchased their own equipment and built a workshop in the home of one of them. We agreed to loan them one half the total cost over a two year period and to grant the other half of the money as part of a small business start-up program. They are now running their own small business without intermediaries!! They have come a long way and wouldn’t be where they are without your support. The skill training programs at the detention center and Thanh Tri continue to be successful. Recently we visited some of the motorcycle repair graduates in their jobs at large shops or in their own small repair shops. Each one was very proud of their accomplishments and doing well. The small business project is well under way with over 12 handicraft groups preparing to participate in the training courses we have established to educate them in the basics of running a small business. The courses are designed to meet the needs of our participants, practical information in short two week modules. David and I will then work with the groups to encourage them to implement these new ideas. It has been exciting and challenging to bring all these groups together and to design our courses. We are using Vietnamese trainers and must plan each stage to ensure creative and modern teaching methods are used. Please keep this new effort in your thoughts and prayers and thank you again for all you do!”
Ȃu Lac Newsletter, January 1998
