In November, 2007, I was privileged to go to Cambodia to teach my beloved punchneedle embroidery to a group of 10 beautiful village girls. They all looked so young that I called them ‘girls', when I guess in fact their ages ranged from 20 – 40 years.
My visit was mostly self funded although I did have a donation of Madeira threads from the Sewgroup company in Australia, punchneedles and acrylic yarns from Cameo products, America along with embroidery scissors from Victorian Sewing Supplies.
|
How did I get to hear about a village in Cambodia?
I met a young woman, Sarah who had been in Cambodia working at a Community Project, The Hope Project, in Chup Village near the Thai/Cambodian border. A wonderful Australian lady, Liz, who heads this Community Project is Sarah's friend. Whilst at the village, Sarah came upon a very old piece of embroidery which was possibly a cushion cover.
At a Stitches and Craft show in Melbourne, Australia, Sarah showed me this piece and asked if I knew how it was done. I was able to tell Sarah that it was indeed a lovely old piece of punchneedle embroidery. (see right) It is believed to be around 50 years old. From this chance meeting I was introduced to Liz and things took of from there, as 7 months later I was in the village meeting the women I was to spend the next 8 days with.
From the knowledge gleaned from Sarah and what I heard on the ground in various villages, punchneedle embroidery was well known in Cambodia prior to the Kmer invasion when many arts/crafts and intellectual pursuits were destroyed..
It was my mission to return to Cambodia and to re-introduce this once known precious, but lost, needle craft
|
The Hope Project
The Hope Project Cambodia is a community based organization that works in three villages in Chup Commune Prey Net Preah District Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia. They work with local authorities and the communities to develop sustainable social and economic initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of the poorest and most vulnerable families in these communities. They are not a non-government organization working within the local Cambodian government and community structures. The HOPE Project is run by two Cambodian women who live and work in the project villages. Liz Hoban, an amazing Australian woman, is the founder and technical advisor. The photo shows Liz and Houen out in the field making a home visit.
In 2007, the Get the Kids to School Program provided scholarships for 26 children to attend primary (21 students) and secondary (five students). Scholarships funded all education costs, including books, clothing and toiletries, and provided bicycle and daily food allowances for children who lived far away from the schools. The aim in 2008 is to increase this to offer 40 scholarships to children (including at least 10 female students).
Artisans - in early 2007, 12 women were trained in the traditional art of hand embroidery, which they now make and sell in Australia and internationally, assisting women to develop micro-enterprises. Additional fund raising monies will be used to build an Artisans' Studio to ensure women can make these fine items in a dust-free and protected space.
Water - nine protected drilled wells have been constructed in Chup Commune; each well provides safe drinking water, water for personal hygiene and domestic use for all villagers; this water-point per family ratio is in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines. In 2008, the Hope Project will construct two new wells.
Sewing - 17 women and girls are being trained to design, cut and make clothing and other items. The Hope Project provides a space and sewing machines for the women to produce saleable items. The women are paid per item of clothing they produce and earn a monthly income above the International Labour Organisation's minimum wage.
http://www.hopeprojectcambodia.com/
|
Leaving home....
I set out from my bushland home in Victoria, Australia with a new green pack on my back and a case full of embroidery bits and pieces. Thai Airways were very generous in giving me 15 kgs excess luggage allowance.
|
Following an 8 hour flight I arrived in Pnom Pehn on a hot, steamy day. I was met, thankfully, by Liz at the airport. I spent a number of days in PP searching for fabric and threads as well as taking in all of the amazing sights, smells, customs and excitement of a new city. There was fabric everywhere and the colours were beyond gorgeous. A vast array of silk but also lovely cottons
The young lady retreating in the photo is carrying refreshing cold tea in plastic bags which is served throughout the market place.
|
|
|
We found one shop only in Pnom Pehn that sold threads, made in Thailand, but which look very similar to the normal DMC, Madeira and Coates 6 stranded embroidery thread that most of us are familiar with.
|
We bought each girl a small bag to keep her tools in and a mug to store scissors, needles, threaders etc whist they were embroidering during the day.
|
I was overwhelmed and astonished when we arrived at dusk in the village. My awesome adventure was coming to fruition. Liz runs The Hope Project from a lovely big, two story home which are few and far between, in this remote part of Cambodia but Liz had managed to rent this from a merchant. It was very comfortable and I was looked after like a queen by Ei and Houen who lived in the house as well.
|
The Hope Project is in the main village where as most of the girls came from outlying villages. This photo shows the traditional type of home for the girls.
|
This is Ei and Houen. The power comes on for an hour at lunch time and 2-3 hours in the evening. These two girls 'punched' like crazy every night. It is actually quite dark and they are still working by the light of a very small torch held by Houen. It looks light however that is because of the flash from my camera.
|
I had to get Liz to help with ironing transfers onto fabric in preparation for the following days session before the elecricity was turned off.
|
Liz has acquired and set up 20 old sewing machines downstairs. Young women come by push bike from the outlying villages every day to learn to sew. This is a new venture and Liz has procured a contract to make thousands of school uniforms for which the girls will be paid. They are still a long way off achieving the target as it is a very new initiative where the girls are still being trained – this is an inspiring project for which Liz finds all of the funding.
|
With wonder and trepidation the 10 village girls came to meet me. We had a vast space upstairs where we worked each day. Houen, the second in charge of the project and Liz joined the classes as well.
|
I took a koala holding a boomerang with me. The boomerang, when pressed, played "Waltzing Matilda" an Australian ballad. We started every morning with a sing-a-long to Waltzing Matilda. The girls had no idea of what we were singing but loved to join in with clapping - we started each day with great frivolity. After a couple days when they had become familiar with me, we would come back from our breaks and one or other of the girls would tentatively lean in to press the boomerang and so another sing-a-long.
|
I spent the majority of my teaching days scooting around the floor on either my bottom or knees, working between each of the girls.
|
This is the first project that I taught the girls. I was thrilled with how adept they quickly became with using a punchneedle. Houen and Liz interpreted for me. I found that moving form girl to girl and actually showing them the technique worked very well.
|
In the previous photo of the butterfly, the antennae are made from a fine braid/cord. I showed the girls my method and then they showed me the 'real' way to make one. A very successful alternative.
|
The second project that the girls loved embroidering were these small mats. I was amazed at the beauty of their finished pieces.
|
This photo shows the girls learning to draw an original design from the pattern on the floor tiles. You can find this method for drawing your own design in my book "Punchneedle Embroidery - Dancing Needles".
Only two of the girls had ever used a pen/pencil previously.
|
I encouraged the girls to find their own designs. This photo shows one of the girls taking an image from her sarong to interpret into embroidery.
|
The designs which were drawn from the above photos have been interpreted into punchneedle embroidery and the small pieces mounted into a brooch/pendant.
|
This is the third project that I worked with the girls. Unfortunately I had not done my homework very well. The finished "Pot of Flowers" was mounted into a card and then I gave the girls an envelope which really meant nothing to them as they did not know what a card and envelope were for. Never-the-less they loved their completed piece.
|
|
|
Some of my beautiful village girls showing off their completed pieces of embroidery
|
|
|
Returning To Cambodia
The idea behind Sarah and I teaching at Chup Village in Cambodia is that we teach the girls to become proficient embroiderer's so that they can independently make saleable items. They will be able to generate a small income for themselves. Sarah and I will be investigating how we can market the finished items. There is an opportunity to sell the items in the boutique shops of the huge multi -national hotels in Cambodia. We will also be looking at selling in Australia and abroad. Our friend Tina will come on board and offer the items for sale on her soon to be launched website selling wares made under the Fair Trade agreement.
The photo above shows the girls dancing. They complained of sore backs so we frequently stopped work to take a stretch and to to have a little play.
|
I trust that you enjoyed my story. It is my intention to return to the village in 2009 with designs prepared for the girls. I will use some of the hundreds of photos I took of carvings, sculptures and paintings whist travelling through Cambodia to interpret into embroidery. There are very few traditional designs remaining and very little embroidery to be found. Can you imagine the photo above drawn and then worked in the sculpted method of punchneedle embroidery? It will look fantastic - give it a go then please send me photos of your finished piece.
|
Please help The Hope Project
I have just heard that The Hope Project has to move from the fantastic functional building that Liz is renting. This will be a huge upheaval for the project and will give Liz some anxious times as she plans the move.
If you feel that you can make a contribution please go to http://www.hopeprojectcambodia.com and click on FUNDRAISING which explains how donations can easily be made.
Thankyou from Pamela
Click here to go to The Hope Project
|
Take a look at how Colour influences your personality
Click here
|
