Common Ground, Common Threads: Empowering Community through Weaving.
As being a charity organisation, which knows well about the social problems of the community, PBF has always been trying to look for the best solutions for the development of the community. Apart from supporting the disables the destitute with regular financial aids, there has also been various “self-help” supports to empower the community in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
Among these projects, the Weaving Training Centre which we recently started is one of them with some basic objectives. This program aims to utilize weaving—a tactile, rhythmic, and culturally rich craft—as a tool for cognitive stimulation and community building. By teaching weaving to the elderly, we provide a productive outlet for creativity while addressing social isolation and preserving traditional craft techniques within the community.
Objectives
Economic Empowerment: Provide seniors and the jobless youth with a platform to sell high-quality, authentic crafts to the religious pilgrimage and tourism markets.
- Physical Health: Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through repetitive manual movements.
- Mental Well-being: Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression through “flow state” engagement.
- Community Impact: Create a space for social interaction and the production of handmade goods for local charities.
- Knowledge Transfer: Establish a foundation for seniors to eventually mentor younger generations.
- Heritage Safeguarding: Document “lost patterns” unique to the Lasta region through elderly practitioners.
This program focuses on the production of Netela (fine shawls), Gabi (thick blankets) and small scarfs used by the local community and pilgrims visiting the rock-hewn churches.
Expected Outcomes
- Product Output: After learning the both the technical, and the creative and design skills, each participant will complete at least one scarf or wall hanging within the 4-week session.
- Social Connectivity: A 40% increase in self-reported “feelings of community belonging” (measured via pre- and post-session surveys).
- Community Contribution: 20% of all items produced will be donated to the local community center for fundraising.
Eligible trainees who can complete this first round training program will be organized in groups, PBF will then finance them to start their own weaving and handcraft project.
Please visit the YouTube link to see the training video:
https://youtu.be/-cYF8bTzGbA
Mesay Mekuanint