World Ark Magazine - September/October 2008 - (Page 40)

Some bricks make a wall. These make a difference. When you buy an Honor Brick to pay tribute to a friend or loved one’s graduation, anniversary, birthday or other celebration, you make a difference in ending poverty and world hunger. These bricks will pave the Honor Walk to the new Murphy Keller Education Center, an urban learning center where people from around the globe can learn how personal actions can end hunger and poverty. To reserve your bricks, log on or call today. Heifer Bulletin News From The Field Passing on the gift of knowledge, local artisans meet to teach the art of water hyacinth weaving to women from nearby villages. Photo: Le Thanh Tung Weaving Their Way to Independence By Jonelle Doughty, World Ark Intern ater hyacinth grows abundantly in Vietnam, sometimes so thickly that boats can’t navigate the choked waterways. Heifer partners in Long Ho district are taking advantage of this overabundance of water hyacinth to create steady, stable jobs for local women. In May 2007, with cooperation from the Long Ho Women’s Union, the Heifer Vietnam Vocational Training Center for Youth invited four young women from Tan Hanh village to a special vocational training program to teach them the art of hand-weaving water hyacinth. They learned to harvest the stems of the plant, which can grow up to two feet long, from lakes and rivers and dry them in the sun. Project participants then learned to use the dried fiber to weave foot mats, flower vases, rope and small baskets. After these four women completed the training program, they returned to their village and taught 18 other women the skills they learned. Today, these women sell their finished water hyacinth crafts to a local business called the Vinh Long Import-Export Company. A skilled weaver can create up to 10 products a day, making a profit the equivalent of nearly $2. With their own source of income, these women no longer rely on allowances from their husbands. They can provide for their families while working at home. Do Thi Hoa, leader of the Long Ho Women’s Union, said, “We are excited to empower more young women in the future with the help of Heifer. It is very meaningful to pass on this training to others experiencing the same hardships we once did. We hope many more young women are able to learn these valuable skills, contribute more to their families and feel confident and independent.” Information for this story was submitted by Doan Huu Phuong Khue, communications and networking officer for Heifer Vietnam. W (8 0 0) 4 2 2 - 0 474 hei f er.or g /b ricks 40 September/October 2008 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org http://heifer.org/bricks http://heifer.org/bricks http://www.heifer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Ark Magazine - September/October 2008

World Ark Magazine - September/October 2008 Contents Letters For the Record The Good Life Asked and Answered Digging Up the Past Not a Drop to Drink Facing the Ogres of Progress Mixed Media Heifer Bulletin Heifer Spirit World Ark Market Calendar First Person

World Ark Magazine - September/October 2008

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