Ever since it has become an integral part of the Cambodian culture and tradition. Hence, cultivating ones rice and vegetable fields creates the main income of a household. For the majority of women silk craft is the only way to earn a little extra money beside the hard work in the fields. Meanwhile there are approximately 10.000 weavers throughout Cambodia. Two third of them live in Takeo, the pro
vince South of Phnom Penh where Sorya operates. The art of silk weaving is, in most cases, passed on from generation to generation. Most of the weavers carry out their work at home. Soya’s idea to create a silk manufacture is nothing new: Numerous organisations have already been dealing with this kind of project and realised their plans. However, we believe that there still is room to improve. In this regard, weavers could benefit from their craft to a higher extent by receiving more adequate and fair wages. At present most of the money for the laboriously made silk products goes to profit oriented middlemen. The aim of this project is not only to counteract the just mentioned problem, but also to support the development and further education of each individual. Motivated women shall get the opportunity to live out their creativity and realise own ideas. Their training and knowledge shall reach to the point where they can successfully manage the project under their own steam. A further challenge that Sorya wants to face is the attempt to establish a brand in Europe, where the quality of the products can meet the appropriate purchasing power. The revenues shall be proportionally allocated to weavers and other Sorya development projects. With the help of the silk manufacture we would also like to support the development of the rural infrastructure, as well as the general process of democratisation. We hope that you will join us on the path of the little silk manufacture.