The craft items shown on this page are sold at the FFC craft sales held at various times during the year. To learn more about these craft items, view the CRAFTS PAGE

Elizabeth's Co-op

Elizabeth Dozois, husband Chris, son Grady and daughter Arden visited FFC in Podanur, South India for a brief 10 days. But even though it was a short visit, Elizabeth started working the night she arrived and opened our first women's Co-Op, which we named Elizabeths!

12 women are now earning an extra income (in addition to the salary they make at FFC) making crazy quilted small bags out of our own Medleri silk. This is silk made from damaged cocoons that would otherwise have been discarded, and we now weave metres of it. It can be used for large items, and is perfect for small sized items. It is spun and woven right on the project in Podanur. At right, Elizabeth models a Crazy Quilt bag.



Below, an example of our of Crazy Quilt bags

Medleri Silk Project

Using a wheel called a Charkha, FFC girls and women spin thread from damaged cocoons into a knubbly silk thread. The thread is then dyed and woven at the project, then woven on a big loom into a silk called Medleri. We make this silk into jackets, purses and Crazy Quilt Bags. The colors are extraordinary. The bags shown on this page are made of this Medleri silk and other materials.

FFC CO-OP LEADER MANO
Manorangidam, shown at right and known as Mano, is head of the Women's Co Op.Mano arrived at FFC India in 1994 when she was about 14 years old, along with a brother Prakash. Her mother committed suicide because of an abusive husband. Both children were placed on a farm as bonded labourers to pay off the father's debts, and both were ill-treated. Prakash became ill with hepatitis, and Mano was sent to care for him. The hospital notified us, and once Prakash was well enough both children came to us. Mano told us of a younger brother who was forced to work with construction labourers. We found him, and he finished school with us. He works in a sock factory, which he loves. Prakash also has a job now, and the three are very close. FFC placed Mano in a batik and bag making course, and she had a talent for it. She is a sweet young woman and now heads up our Women's Co Op.

Waste Silk Weaving Project

Another project currently underway involves taking waste silk ends discarded by the mills. This material is then processed and spun into yarn, before the weavers at FFC use it to produce small area rugs and mats. Katie, a long-time visitor at the project, is shown at right modelling a rug made from waste silk.

As shown above, the rugs and mats are produced in a variety of colors. Click on photo above for larger view.

The Women's Co-op

FFC Bangladesh also has a Co-op, and it is working out very well. We have seven women sewing, three of whom are our own girls. Salma Akter is 22 years old. She attended school up to grade eight. She then worked in a handicraft shop for five years doing hand embroidery before coming to work in our co-op two years ago. She now lives with five other girls in a room they have rented. Popy is 20 years old, and has three sisters and one younger brother. Her father died, and she now lives with her mother who does tailoring work from her home. Popy is attending college on weekends, and also helps to support her family. At this time they are making hand-painted bags.

Batik Kurti

The latest addition to the line of products produced by our co-op in Bangladesh is the Kurti. The Kurta is a traditional mode of dress in India, Bangladesh and elsewhere, and has been worn by both men and women for many years. While the typical Kurta is a full-length garment, a shorter version called a Kurti is often worn by women in Bangladesh.

Rehana, a recent volunteer working at our Dhaka site, is shown above modeling a red and white Kurti. Our Kurtis are made from cotton batik.

FFC Goat Project

The FFC Goat Project began with donations from Susan and Brian Dutton, the daughter and son in law of FFC friend Dr. Michael Allen. Michael is a retired pediatric surgeon who has travelled with FFC since the late 70's. At right, Lawrence and the goat farm staff.

All our goats are high yield milking goats and we are in the process of building the herd up to the point where we no longer buy cow milk for the project. All our babies have been on goats milk for a number of years. This is a major benefit for our children as we no longer depend on others for milk. We hope to make our own goats milk cheese in the future. All this helps to ensure the children get the best quality nutrition.

The goat at right was born in June and had a cleft lip. Originally it was to have been sold for meat, but Sandra decided to adopt it as her personal mascot. Susan Dutton was in India at the time, and decided to bring the FFC school children to the goat farm for a "teachable moment." She wanted them to see that the birth defects so many of them were born with also happen in the animal world.

Susan Dutton has sent this update about some of the goat personalities.... Lawrence, the goat-herder, reported that a goat named Becky likes music. He plays music on his cellphone, and she loves to stand and listen to it. Becky is shown at left working her way through the Top Forty. Becky also has an amazing internal clock, and knows when things are going to happen. For example, at 12:15 she walks over to the ramp, ready to move inside at 12:30. She is the female goat leader. Another goat, named Sandra, also likes to listen to music, but only for about one minute.

Project participants also now make small paper bags. We have one small paper press and with the financial help of Tina Chamandy, we ordered a large one that will enable us to make wrapping paper and large paper bags. At right, John Peter and John Basa making paper. Below, Saravanan designs, draws and paints the paper cards.

Saravanan has been with us at the Indian project all his life. He has no hearing, using sign language, and has severe scoliosis. The pictures on the right show some examples of cards designed by Saravanan. (Click on picture for larger view)

Paper-Making Project

In 2003 after many years of attempting to get this project off the ground, three young visitors (children adopted years before from FFC India) were able to launch the project in just a few days. Since then the progress has been amazing. The project leader is Chittra, a long time member of our staff. Although she had no experience in making paper, she agreed to take it on along with a few of our young men who have various disabilities, and are likely to remain with us for years.

Despite a lack of experience and little equipment, the project has advanced. The paper has gone from very rough to a good product, from which we make all our cards and envelopes. The end result is hardly slick, but cards painted with scenes by our resident artist Saravanan and embroidered by some of the boys and girls are each unique and lovely. The project uses up old paper, newspapers from the project and is yet another great recycling scheme. An example of the hand made paper with embroidery is shown at left.