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Malagasy Embroiderer |
In a country where 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, the members of the embroidery cooperative Effort and Hope are working hard to create a different future for themselves and their families.
Their dreams began with the work of Albertine Razafimahatratra, who started organizing in the poor neighborhoods of Antsirabe in central Madagascar to educate and feed the malnourished children, many of who are the sons and daughters of pousse-pousse (rickshaw) drivers. She started Association Zazakely, and with the support of Catholic Relief Services, began providing meals for 80 children a day and tutoring for children waiting to be enrolled in school.
To address the root problem of a lack of income, Effort and Hope was started in 2005 and the children’s mothers and other women in need were invited to join. The women are hopeful, believing that “the needlepoint will change our lives” and are moving beyond obstacles to do better, reach farther and grow stronger. We are proud to be one of Effort and Hope’s first trading partners and to introduce their work to the fair trade community.
Read more about our work with the Effort and Hope cooperative in our newsletter.