26 Australian Knitting
FtFeatture
Knitters Support
Developing Communities
any knitters have heard,
and indeed used, the
wonderful yarns produced
unity projects of the Manos
cooperatives. Manos
del Uruguay, which was established
in 1969, is a true cooperative of
growers, spinners, weavers, knitters,
dyers and entrepreneurs who provide
valuable work for women in the interior
of Uruguay and provide economic,
social and cultural opportunities for
its members. Manos del Uruguay
recognises the value of the yarn and
craft traditions of Uruguay and the
artisans that keep these traditions alive.
Manos del Uruguay’s commitment to
eradicating poverty and empowering
the women of Uruguay through ethical
and sustainable economic development
was acknowledged In 2009 when they
gained membership of the prestigious
World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).
The Manos del Uruguay provides
an excellent model for community
development projects that build on
the traditional farming methods and
craft techniques of underdeveloped
regions in an ethical and sustainable
commercialisation of their traditions.
This model is being taken up
throughout the world and providing
real economic benefit to both whole
communities and the individual families
that make up these communities. In
some cases these projects are helping
people to rebuild after the ravages
of war as well as ensuring that theBy Lee Scott