This week has mostly consisted of work, which doesn't make much of an exciting blogpost. Nonetheless its nice to shed some light on what i am really doing out here and also on a few things i have started thinking about this week. Being in a new place and working in international development has made me question a few things.
After a few frustrating meetings this week, we decided to focus on our own objectives as AJA were not giving us any guidance. I really like this as we have been given almost free reign on the projects and have been able to come up with small changes which will really help the organisation and its members.For the most part I will be working with the Fere Kene gallery. This is an artspace and collective for the 40 artisans which form the Fere Kene group. The artisans have been experiencing a number of problems because despite their amazing talent and personality they lack skills in product promotion, publicity or basic business. Fere Kene aims to provide this as well as a shop to display their work in. I (along with the others) are creating a promotional catalog of the artisans work and this involves visiting, photographing and interviewing each one. I love this as most of the artisans specialize in jewelry so there is lots to look at. This is not all play however, as the catalog will act as a way of creating awareness both internationally and amongst the tourists and businesses of Bamako who can gain insight into both the products and the artisans. We have also used social media to create international awareness and this has been much more successful than we hoped. There is also talk of trying to get involved or at least visit Mali fashion week which is amazing and would be a great opportunity for some of the artisans who were saying they struggled to create innovate designs which could keep up with a changing fashion industry. Despite my enthusiasm for the project, I have questioned this week a lot about both the fair trade industry and working conditions. Many of the artisans I visited last week employed other workers in often unfair conditions. If the products are fair trade, i think the workers should be treated fairly and it has made it difficult for me when marketing the products. It made me think firstly how much retailers really tell the truth about products, and triggered a debate in my head about working conditions. Whilst some were better than others, one stuck in my head for being cramped and hot. The men worked on the floor tirelessly pressing leather whilst their manager cased the room talking to us. One guy was even asleep, his feet poking out an ajar door. The workers had spare clothes hanging above where they were working. I wonder how much they really get to go home? On a more positive note, here are some pictures of some of the places we visited. Many of the artisans were based on a street which reminded me of the Souks in Morocco, drums and jewelry hung from the door frames and the soundtrack consisted of hammering, drilling and other machinery.
The other thing I noticed on the visits was the lack of women. Out of five visits to artisans, their workshops and boutiques I didn't meet one woman. Although maybe somewhat of a gender stereotype, this is one field I expected to meet women. It makes me realize how much Mali and perhaps much of West Africa conforms to gender stereotyping- as a bit of a closet feminist I find this really sad and guess I take for granted all the things I can do in England with no comment. For example here its really frowned upon for women to go for a drink on their own- not even coffee. I'm finding this really restraining.
This week, I have learnt that in international development which is often a frustrating area to work in you have to use your initiative and intuition to find your own problems and objectives. I think the Malians, and particularly the people at AJA are very proud and find it difficult to give us responsibility or accept our ideas. I think I need to remember that small steps are as good as one big unsustainable input. I don't intend to change the world or Mali but I would like my time and skills to be valued and used in a way no matter how small.
Expect a more exciting post on my adventurous weekend in Segou tomorrow!
xxx
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