NEWS!
July 31st, 2011: Weaving Workshop completed!!
Afrer 33 days of hard work in tough conditions by all involved the womens dream of a having an independent workspace has now been accomplished. With the new space the women hope to increase their production and work towards providing other services to the community as a whole, such as a elecric mill to grind corn.
Open House March 27th 1-4pm
On March 27th we will be hosting a open house at 2302 Falls Drive. It will feature new products, opportunities to try weaving, pictures of Nicaragua and the weaving project, and the chance to discuss fair trade, Central America, and Peace Corps. Feel free to stop by at any point between 1 and 4. We look forward to seeing you!
FABMRON to benefit from P.A.C.E grant, March 13th
Dave Worden, a teacher at Carolina Friends School (CFS) and a current recipient of a P.A.C.E grant, which is administered by CFS, will be traveling to El Ocotal, Nicaragua this coming June to help FABMRON with the construction of a weaving workshop. The women are currently working in the villages common house which is dusty and has a tendency to flood during the rainy season. The new workshop will provide the group with a cleaner more secure workspace and allow then to expand and improve production. In addition to the grant, the women themselves are working to contribute $500 and another $1,000 will be added from donations made by groups and individuals. Many thanks to all those who have contributed!
January 2011
A trip to Nicaragua over the winter break found the women of El Ocotal hard at work. They are making full use of the three Union looms and are slowly but surely saving money for the construction of their own weaving workshop. The following are pictures of the women and their husbands beginning to clear the land for the future building! I was also able but bring numerous items back so there is lots of new exciting merchandise!
October 2010
Rug Sale & Weaving Demonstration
Saturday October, 9th, 201o 12-3pm
One World Market, 9th Street, Durham NC
May /June, 2010
On a recent trip to El Ocotal my mother, Carol, and I delivered two looms donated by the Art League School in Alexandria, VA, which brought the total number of looms to three. Many thanks to Hugh Force for the express ride from Managua!
In one morning the looms went from pieces of wood and metal in old ski bags to fully functioning machines. Construction took place in the village's common house and was facilitated by several enthusiastic husbands and sons of the weavers.
The original loom was moved from its location in one of the weaver's homes to the common house. My mother and I facilitated group weaving sessions during a five day period. The women learned improved warping methods, new cloth cutting techniques, and general ways to make a stronger and more attractive product.
By the end of our visit, the women had purchased their own small plot of land with donations from the US. They are excited about the possibility of having their own independent workspace!
© FABMRON
