Economic Growth Madagascar Project #56378

Building a Women's Weaving Cooperative

Project Report | Oct 21, 2024
Building Financial Independence Through Weaving

By Andi Rezqi Safitri | Programmes and Office Assistant

Over the past six months, the Mahampy Project has made amazing progress, bringing real change to the lives of the women in the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative. Through hands-on weaving sessions led by experienced members, the women have learned new skills and improved the quality of their products. With new shelving and storage added to their workshop, the space has become more organised and professional, helping them showcase their work better.

One of the most exciting moments was the launch of new, value-added products, thanks to a partnership with Tamalà. This partnership had given the weavers an opportunity not only to diversify their production but also to enter international markets. It allowed them to get commissions from anywhere in the world, and their works reached much farther than their locale.

On the financial side, the project continues to empower women with stability. The education savings scheme is now into its second year and has assisted members in settling school fees. Another major milestone was when sub-cooperative leaders took over the management of the alternative loan scheme. This changeover reflects that the women are confident and assuming greater responsibility, as all loans are successfully being repaid.

Sales have also increased through direct advertising and reseller meetings. Over the past year, sales increased by 59%, and the average price of the products increased by 56%. With new training in literacy and stock management, the women are also better equipped to handle the business side of things and contribute to their success.

As the project moves forward, continued focus on sales growth, leadership, and financial skills will be key to maintaining this progress. The women of the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative are showing incredible resilience and determination, building a brighter future for themselves and their community. Together, they’re weaving a stronger tomorrow—one reed at a time.

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Jun 20, 2024
Weaving Women Together

By Sally Deitchman | Programmes and Office Assistant

In the south Anosy region of Madagascar, Mahampy reed weaving has become a lifeline for women seeking flexible and sustainable livelihoods. Despite its potential, weaving faces challenges such as low return on investment and poor access to markets. Seeing these factors, Project Mahampy aims to change this situation by creating profitable and sustainable weaving livelihoods.

The creation of the weaving cooperative, literacy training sessions, and education savings schemes play a significant role in achieving this goal. Literacy training sessions are essential to building capacity and empowerment. So far, the women remain engaged with the program and can now expect a new literacy programme which has just been finalised. There has also been a shift in leadership for the literacy training program with a member of the Mahampy Committee now running the program. The education savings scheme continues to serve 38 women. With 1,000,000 MGA saved in the system the women are provided with financial security and resilience.

In April 2024, SEED facilitated a transformative experience for 10 women in the Mahampy Project by organising a regional cross visit to four weaving cooperatives. This exchange was focused around sharing knowledge, expertise, and joint problem solving and was supplemented by visits to tourist shops in Fort Dauphin to inspire the women and improve quality control. Overall, this trip was a testament to the Mahampy Project’s ability to build bridges between communities and foster solidarity among women artisans.

Another big celebration has been Mahampy’s collaboration with national and international resellers leading to the first commission of new products currently being fulfilled. This milestone is outstanding evidence of the hard work and dedication of these talented women.

SEED is incredibly grateful for your generous support, which is making a tangible difference in the lives of these women. Together, we weave a brighter future—one reed at a time.

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Mar 1, 2024
Participatory Reedbed Monitoring Programme

By Betty Gisore | Grants and Administrative Assistant

Two mahampy members taking reed measurements

In the southeast Anosy region, women traditionally weave mahampy, a local reed (Lepironia mucronata), to generate household income. Mahampy weaving is one of the few livelihood opportunities available to women, as it is an activity that can be practiced in or close to home and with a flexible time commitment. SEED Madagascar (SEED) aims to support the Mahampy weavers to improve both their financial resilience and reedbed management as a livelihood security measure.

10 women from the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative participated in the reedbed monitoring programme. This was a 12-month wetland monitoring survey carried out in 2023 during which the participants analysed the effects of harvesting techniques and fires on the regrowth of reeds in five mahampy wetlands. Preliminary analysis concluded that pulling the reeds out, rather than cutting them, leads to faster regrowth, unless the reeds have been affected by fires, in which case there is no effect of harvesting technique on regrowth rates.

This Participatory Monitoring Programme is supporting the first group of women involved in ecological research in Sainte Luce. The programme is equipping the participants with the skills and knowledge to conduct and lead research efforts. The participants reported increased confidence using data collection tools and increased knowledge about the wetlands and the surrounding environment.

Participatory monitoring trips to collect data on regrowth rates of mahampy reeds in the wetlands will continue, alongside two drone trips. The aim of the data collection by these trips is to inform a sustainable reedbed management strategy which will be disseminated in the local community.

Project Mahampy is not only working to improve rural livelihoods, but also conserve the reedbed wetlands as a weaving resource for the weavers in Anosy region. We wish to thank all our donors for generously supporting the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative through SEED.

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