Isn't it intoxicating to see inspiration and hope at work?

Excitement was palpable at an advanced natural dye training course in the village of Ba Kaew, which is pronounced Bo Gow. The training is one of the courses the Hands to Heart Women’s Cooperative provides, which are selected based on feedback from its members. Spread over 3 days, the first was primarily focused on gathering the organic materials they would need. Prompted by ideas from the instructor, the women returned from foraging with bark, plants and other materials found near their village. In addition to becoming the base for dyes, some materials like banana stalk and soot are used to improve how the dye binds to the yarn.

Debbie Tingley, Hands To Heart’s director shared, “We could tell that the training would have significant impact right away; not only did almost every member attend, but also because you could really feel the women’s excitement and hear it in their voices.”

Day 2 began with a PowerPoint on the technical aspects of utilizing elements and color combinations to produce a broader range of colors and to have better control. The lecture was followed by each member producing a color using an element, such as Alum. Still buzzing with enthusiasm, day 3 was utilized to recap and answer any additional questions.

Following the training, Su Ma Li, the Ba Keow Cooperative’s Chairman explained, “The training meant a great deal to us. It really inspires and strengthen our group. We are also so excited about the increased color palette we now have to work with and about the ongoing partnership we have with Hands To Heart. They really listened to our need for more training on natural dyes and delivered with this session.”

Hands To Heart provides training like the natural dye class to the Cooperative’s members. The courses focus not only on skills to run their businesses, but also on how to expand through topics such as product development. Hands To Heart staff continues to build relationships with additional villages. These relationships usually start after ITDF, the Foundation that Hands To Heart is a part of, completes a water project. During the initial project, ITDF shares additional ways they can assist the village. For those villages that express interest, Hands To Heart provides 3 basic trainings sessions before members receive their first handicraft order. They cover quality control, product development basics and natural dye basics. Upon joining the cooperative, the new village is also encouraged to set up their own governing structure. They vote to select a chairman, co-chair, treasurer and secretary.

Officially established in 2020, the Hands To Heart Women’s Cooperative was established by the Lanna Foundation and the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF) partnership. The Cooperative works with the Hill Tribe Women of Northern Thailand to create and expand their hand weaving businesses by providing micro-enterprise training. As a part of ITDF’s mission to end poverty in the area, Hands To Heart empowers women in these villages to play an active role in the financial well-being of their families, to be role models for their children and to preserve their centuries old tradition of hand weaving.

You can help empower these women by donating to the micro-enterprise training program or by purchasing handicrafts