THIS MONTH'S THEME: AFRICA

[Spotlight on Sourcing]

Are you doing something interesting in AFRICA? We want to hear about it- promote yourself on the network by posting your inspirational story on the blog. Make sure you are a member of the Africa Group!

INSPIRATIONAL STORY: THE YAKAAR NIANI WULLI FEDERATION


There are many textile companies providing needed support to villages and communities across Africa.

A great example of how villages are being supported through textiles is Liz Cooper's work at Yakaar Niani Wulli Federation. Yakaar Niani Wulli have brought together more than 80 villages and almost 2000 farmers.

Yakaar Niani Wulli’s aim is to help villages in Senegal, West Africa establish food security and ensure various sources of income for families. To achieve this aim Yakaar Niani Wulli has had to diversify their activities; textiles is just one of them.

TEXTILES AND YAKAAR NIANI WULLI:
Liz Cooper is helping villagers to develop a collection of textile products. Products are made from organic cotton and dyed with natural indigo.

Textiles products create many jobs for villagers:
The cotton must be farmed and harvested, then spun and woven into cloth. Yakaar Niani Wulli obtained certification from the fair trade foundation in 2006 for its production of organic cotton.

Yakaar Niani Wulli reintroduced the cultivation of indigo to villagers. Once a garment is produced and the indigo is harvested and prepared, a woman can spend up to one day, creating different patterns of colour.

For more about Yakaar Niani Wulli's work view their site . Look out for the online store coming soon!

[Spotlight on Sourcing]

Yakaar Niani Wulli reintroducing the cultivation of indigo to villagers.

[Spotlight on Sourcing]

Cotton must be farmed and harvested, then spun and woven into cloth

[Spotlight on Sourcing]

Products are made from organic cotton and dyed with natural indigo.