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September 7, 2010
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Home> Photo
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Gallery - Photo Stories |
| Handicrafts Bringing Economic Benefits to Wadi Rum Communities
Abdullah Swelhiyyeen is the project manager of the Productive Village initiative, which has created a new source of employment for the village community through handicrafts. USAID/Siyaha and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation “Qudorat” Program worked together to set up the workshop in the little Wadi Rum village. |
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Planning for the project began just one year ago, and today the handicraft workshop is up and running, employing almost 20 people and producing attractive, high quality handicraft items that are meeting market demand. Following six months of planning, setting up and training, the workshop opened in February 2007 and a range of materials are used to handcraft a selection of items. Leather and fur are used at the Productive Village handicraft workshop to make cushions, rugs, lanterns and other items. In addition to producing items for individual sale, the workshop has been receiving numerous orders since it opened, providing a solid source of income for its employees.
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The Productive Village workshop employs nine locals on a fulltime basis, all of whom are women, in addition to seven people on a part time basis (six women and one man). These workers have all undergone a range of training in handicraft production and design to increase their skills and develop highly sought products. Three of the women who work at the workshop are focused on creating unique pieces of jewelry, using silver, beads and other materials, and taking inspiration from their traditions and their surroundings. |
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A handicraft shop at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center displays the beautiful results of the Productive Village’s work. The shop employs two women on a part time basis and a marketing person, providing another source of jobs that did not exist prior to the project being initiated. A year ago, the economic benefit of handicrafts to the village community was virtually nil. Six months later, the residents of Productive Village are reaping the benefits of a project that is currently bringing in over JD1,500 each month as a result of producing quality products that are prominently displayed and well marketed. |
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