Katu Sisters
Two young women, skills passed down since childhood and, above all, a very clear goal: grow their own activity without losing what makes their culture so rich.
Local development
Sydachan and Soutavan took the initiative to contact us themselves. They live in a village near Tad Lo and have learned traditional Katu weaving since childhood. They wanted to turn these skills into a more regular activity, create more products and present them directly to visitors.
They now spend several months each year in Tad Lo learning sewing, practising English and developing their project at their own pace.
Documented reference for Sout’s sewing work: around €670 in expenses last season, mainly accommodation, meals, hosting a volunteer and missing sewing equipment.
They are the ones carrying the project. Samaki Laos is there to give them a helping hand, not to take their place.
Their story
Skills that are part of their identity
In their family, weaving is not learned from a manual. It is passed down from generation to generation. Colours, patterns, thread work and natural dyeing techniques are part of Katu culture and daily life.
Sydachan and Soutavan do not want to abandon these skills to create an activity. On the contrary, they want to give them greater value.
Add new skills without losing what matters
Sewing allows them to turn their own textiles into bags, pouches, cases, hats or bracelets. They are also improving their English so they can explain their work themselves and speak directly with visitors.
The project moves forward in small steps, with training periods in Tad Lo and occasional help from people who can genuinely pass on a useful skill.
A two-way exchange
This project is not a one-way transfer. Sydachan and Soutavan also share their weaving techniques, patterns and traditional methods. Everyone arrives with something they know and leaves having learned something from the other.
What we hope for
The goal is not to create an activity dependent on Samaki Laos. It is exactly the opposite: we want them to find their own customers, develop their creations, gain confidence and progressively earn more from their skills.
The next step
Show what is actually spent
For Sout’s sewing work, documented expenses from last season totalled around 17,500,000 kip, approximately €670 at the time of the estimate. This included about €400 for accommodation and meals in Tad Lo, then around €270 for two months of accommodation for a volunteer and missing sewing equipment.
Last season’s reference
Accommodation and meals in Tad Lo: around €400.
Volunteer accommodation + sewing equipment: around €270.
Estimated total: around €670.