Service Fraternel d'Entraide

NAVIGATION : History of SFE | Historical notes | Silk handwork

Crafts And Fair Trade Laos (ACEL) - History

In 2000, the SFE began marketing handicrafts of silk articles from Laos, in order to promote local handicrafts and provide a source of income to poor families. A programme was started to help these people by improving silk production and weaving, and the adapting the quality and colours for foreign markets. This activity continued for several years under the name "Craft / Fair Trade in Laos" (ACEL)

We have tried different outlets for its products in Europe, especially with the voluntary help Liselotte Guillou, a French lady, who organized exhibitions in France and sales in different countries.

Since 2006-2007, this work is managed through a new ad-hoc structure in place for this work: a commercial (but non-profit) was created in Laos to manage long-term production of silk and marketing of crafts:
Maï Savanh Lao
("The Heavenly Silk")

From January 2007 to the end of 2008, an ad-hoc association, as the ACEL Savanh Mai, managed the marketing in France France in Europe of silk and other handicrafts from Laos

Since late 2007, the company MSL continues its activities in Laos completely independently, pursuing the same aim: to serve better the Laotian people in the spirit of fair trade.