Local women’s tais weaving groups call on the Timorese government to establish a permanent site where they can sell their tais products because so far they have only been able to sell them in government organized fairs and in between fairs many of their products go to waste.
The Coordinator of Inan Terus Hadomi Feto Group Adelina Freitas said they have many products but lack a market where women’s groups can sell them.
“We have to wait for the government or other organizations to call us to take part in fairs so we can sell our products and so we can make a living,” said Freitas during a Christmas Fair organized the Alola Foundation, in Mascarenhas, Dili, in December 2014.
“But when there isn’t a fair it is very difficult for us to make ends meet because our products are kept at home where nobody can see or buy them.”
She added that every year the government builds the capacity of women groups; nevertheless it does not provide groups with adequate sites where groups can sell their product to become self-sustainable.
Women’s group’s products include tais (locally woven traditional cloth), accessories, bags, wallets, shoes, and sewn slippers.
Meanwhile the Secretary of State for Industry and Cooperative Filipus Nino Pereira acknowledged one of significant challenge is finding markets where groups can sell their products but he appreciated the work of the Alola Foundation in organizing a fair twice a year and provides chances for women to sell their products.
SE Pereira added the government hosts fairs around national days and events to provide additional opportunities for small groups to sell their products to visitors and to supplement their incomes.
“In future we intend to set up a centre to promote Timorese products, such as opening a gallery to include also space where groups can sell their products. They can also hold activities there,” he added. “This way we can direct visitors to the centre. But this will not happen in 2015.”
The Executive Director of Alola Foundation Alzira Reis said as well as providing a market place for the women’s groups to sell their products, the foundation also established the Alola Esperansa Centre that buys products from local groups.
“We at the Alola Esperansa can buy women groups’ products. If there isn’t a fair they may bring their products to Alola Esperansa and we’ll buy them as long as the products are of high quality so people can buy them,” the Director said.
She added Alola Esperansa buys local products from women’s groups including tais, woven bags and others.
