Projects

Projects in need of support:

ETWA members are constantly developing and identifying projects that will support appropriate development for women in East Timor. We have plenty of initiative but often don't have the resources to get the projects off the ground. Here are two that in need of support:

Weaving Healthier Futures Project
Business Development Initiative

Donations to support projects in East Timor are tax-deductible through ETWA's partnership with Australian Volunteers International however we don't have the capacity to offer tax-deductible receipts for donations to support our work in Australia. For more information about supporting specific projects, please contact us via email: office@etwa.org.au

Weaving Healthier Futures Project

A substantial number of women in East Timor utilise the traditional practice of hand weaving to generate income. As members of community based collectives, national NGOs or through programs established by international organisations, women preserve this time honoured cultural practice, using the past to build the future. Since independence, projects and research have focused on improving the economic viability of Tais weaving, but little is known about how weaving impacts on artisans’ health and vice versa. It is widely acknowledged that women need a decent income to maintain good health but good health is also needed to maintain income. As this is a reciprocal relationship, the health of East Timorese women cannot be dismissed when trying to improve their quality of life through the hand weaving industry. Consequently, this study is aimed at providing East Timorese weavers with a forum to articulate their heath concerns and involve them in developing interventions aimed at improving their well-being. The study seeks to uncover aspects of the weaving work that may be contributing to ill-health. It also aims to help us develop deeper understandings on which we can build initiatives to improve the quality of life for our East Timorese partners and their communities.

Business Development Initiative

ETWA is facilitating a business development initiative to improve bookmark (initially) and other product (ultimately) sales. Business development is both a launch project and an ongoing modus operandi. As well as maintaining solidarity markets, we acknowledge that entering mainstream markets expands the customer reach of East Timorese products and increases the potential for sales turnover. Therefore, our sales expansion strategy is to connect with commercial retailers and appeal to mainstream consumers – i.e. consciously work within free market principles without compromising our values and goals, and broaden our retail/consumer base to include buyers who do not necessarily have an emotional tie to East Timor’s plight. Nonetheless, research shows that mainstream consumers are open to ethical consumption and that this is largely untapped in mainstream markets. This is a strength of ETWA’s relationship with East Timorese women.

For more information about our BDI click here