– bet on GuyExpo

FOR years, the St Cuthbert’s Mission women’s group has been engaged in craft-making using tibisiri and other natural items, but due to the scarcity of markets for their products, their craft is seemingly dying away.The women learnt their craft from the older folk, but today, not too many are willing to learn.
This is evident from the paucity of craft booths at GuyExpo 2016 as compared to the past, when there was a prevalence of creative pieces at every corner of an exposition.
Added to that, Ruth Shuman, a member of the group, said that the craftswomen are “discouraged and tired,” because of the unavailability of markets for their products.
Though they have stuck to their culture, the level of discouragement is still high when they can’t sell the products they make with their bare hands.
“We take our time, particularly days, to make these tibisiri craft, also with straw and straw guts. We does make bowls, bread trays, fruit trays and even gift wrap, just to name a few.”
However, when done, they are forced to settle for meagre payments or even nothing for their well-crafted pieces, which she said, would sometimes even be stored away for months and even years because of the lack of consumers.
“It does be hard to keep the group together because sometimes it don’t function and sometimes when they get orders they try to do something.
“Other than that, throughout the year they are not even encouraged to do what they love,” said the craftswoman, who highlighted that she would venture off to different areas to get some sales just to keep the group together and active.
Their plea for markets continues to grow, hence, she has made her way to GuyExpo 2016 in an effort to get exposure for her products and also to educate persons on the operations of the group and the wonders of craft-making. (Navendra Seoraj)