Six complete fibre craft training
23.09.2009
A group of six women have received their certificates after taking part in a one-week training course in fibre crafts held at the Camion Hall grounds, Victoria.
Lisette Cecile, Marguerite-Marie Joseph, Christelle Préa, Lindy Legras, Sheila Victor and Medlyn Haidé received their certificates from the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (Senpa) chief executive Sylvianne Valmont on Saturday morning.
The training was done using various fibres and leaves, and Fleurange Gilbert taught the group how to make artisanal objects such as fruit holders, place mats, purses and bags.
Miss Gilbert recently attended a three-day training workshop in Bangalore, India, which she said greatly enhanced her knowledge and ability to teach these crafts.
Three of the six women are already employed in related fields, and they all financed their own training.
Mrs Valmont said Senpa is ready to organise such training courses for anyone interested in learning these skills.
“Seychelles has lots of potential in fibre crafts, and there are so many natural resources available to make artisanal objects of value,” she said.
“The objects we train people to make are not only for sale to tourists, but can also be used by anyone in their everyday work. The quality of the products made here in Seychelles is as good as that of imported ones, so we encourage people to make use of the training programmes available.”
Mrs Valmont also said that as from next year Senpa is planning to start hosting monthly workshops on various themes such as bamboo, coconut and wood crafts, based on the demand.
This year has been declared International Year of Natural Fibres by the United Nations General Assembly. It covers a wide range of natural fibres – of animal and vegetable origin – and with uses ranging from luxurious clothing to traditional and non-traditional industrial uses.
The objectives of the international year are to raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres, to encourage appropriate policy responses from governments to the problems faced by natural fibre industries, to foster an effective and enduring international partnership among the various natural fibre industries and to promote their efficiency and sustainability.