Partners

ETWA

The Augustine Centre

2 Minona Street

Hawthorn VIC 3122

PO Box 3079

Auburn VIC 3123

Ph: (03) 9819 3239

Fax: (03) 9819 3439

office@etwa.org.au

Our Partners

ETWA works with the Centre for Timor’s Cultural Development (CTCD) to support three weaving collectives in the eastern regions of East Timor. Through a decentralized cooperative approach, CTCD transforms traditional cloth into saleable commodities and markets the goods on behalf of three weaving collectives in the remote eastern regions of East Timor. CTCD’s model allows women to improve their quality of life while remaining in their communities. It also helps in processes of preserving and giving greater value to women’s cultural practices.

CTCD is the new name adopted by Kovefoktl, a Cooperative ETWA has supported for almost four years. Following the April 2006 crisis, Kovefoktl relocated to the Metinaro IDP camp about an hour by bus from Dili. As their base for sewing, marketing and administration, conditions in the camp are difficult. There is no electricity and their traditional shelter is open to the wind and rain. Like many projects in East Timor, the crisis had devastating affects on the group. They were unable to work and protect their equipment against looting. However, their move to the IDP camp gave them an opportunity to reflect on the future and slowly start to rebuild their operations.

In June 2007, just before ETWA’s first Weaving Tour to East Timor, Balbina (the key driver of Kovofoktl) mobilised weavers in the Lautem district to establish three weaving collectives. The formation of these independent cooperatives will support weavers in their capacity to organise and work collectively towards sustainability. Each cooperative has approximately 20 members and with support from CTCD and the Dili based Cooperatives Studies Centre, is developing guiding principles, procedures and management systems.

The three weaving collectives are based in the rural district of Lautem; one in Los Palos and two in remote villages in Iliomar. Although the training and material needs of the groups are extensive, their capacity to work collectively is underpinned by a set of cultural norms known as Fulidai-dai. Women talk about coming together to weave as an opportunity to practice Fulidai-dai; which in essence means cooperation, supporting one another and working together for the good of the group. Fulidai-dai is an inspiring notion that governs relationships and promotes cooperation rather than competition.

Weaving Solid Foundations

Since late July 2007, CTCD has been assisted by international volunteer, Claire Rowland. By working with the group’s strengths and working through division of labour, accountability and financial transparency, Claire has helped them lay a sound foundation on which to build sustainability. Claire’s work has helped the group develop administration systems and frameworks for supporting the three rural weaving collectives, instigated initiatives to increase sales in the local market and improve product quality. The position is funded by ETWA through support provided by private philanthropists and the Lonely Planet Foundation.