Shega Crafts

s the main constituent to tourism and one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities and a means for considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows, currently, the craft sector in Ethiopia is characterized by a subsistent, isolated and inefficient business with multiple problems; we believe it is the time to boost up the sector. Shega is an initiative that tries to assure quality in Ethiopian handicrafts and to contribute to one of the world’s largest industries and the fastest growing sectors of global trade, tourism while empowering the local artisans with a vision of enhancing the Ethiopian crafts in quality. Shega also aims in supporting this creative sector to deliver eminence traditional crafts and functional wares for the rural, urban and international community through primary and retail market. Shega Initiative will work on Ethiopia’s artisan craft production skill, giving the country much potential to develop cultural tourism. Jewellery, embroidery, pottery, photo framework and leather work are the major ones among others. Shega will also establish a research center that will focus on developing the skills of local artisans to better benefit from their works. According to the survey made by Amhara Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Parks Development, handicraft industry has become source of an employment opportunity and income generation area for both the youths and females alike, where 75 % are females and the rest are males. Having the fact that 85% of the employed in the handicrafts business are the local community; it needs high research based support from all concerned stakeholders and development partners. The current intervention by Shega has resulted in bridging the capacity gap in the sector to a certain extent. However, since all the challenges of the sector cannot be addressed in limited projects, partners should continue supporting the project to enable women to be self resilient. Who we are? Shega, one of Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia’s (TLHE) project, established in 2013 and work on addressing the needs of disadvantaged women by empowering them to tackle their socio economic needs. Shega mainly focus on mothers and girls who are affected by HIV and extreme poverty. Since 2005 TLHE Income Generating Project has trained 1,600 beneficiaries who came from TLHE network member organizations, partner organizations, government organizations, local and international NGOs. All IGA beneficiaries have been trained of Sewing, machine and hand embroidery, pottery and leather works. The training has been provided at the four centers located in Gulele, Keranio, Addis Ketema and Arada sub-citiy. After the completion of their training Shega provides a start up capital and technical supports. As the result 14 cooperatives has been established and are now running their own business helping themselves and their families. Shega will deliver advanced skills supported by best trainers in the country. Currently the project employed 15 skilled and experienced vocational trainers and 11 technical personnel who can assist these women in becoming more efficient in their work. Minimizing the drop-out rate is one of the project achievements and that credit goes to the very strong structure of the technical team that comprises social workers, social network agents, cooperative experts and the marketing agents. Social Responsibility

As we strive to fight poverty, Shega will develop the Ethiopian craft sector through empowering women artisians in particular. Handcrafting in Ethiopia has its roots in the rural crafts of ancient civilizations and many specific crafts have been practiced for centuries, while others are modern inventions, or popularizations of crafts which were originally practiced in a limited geographic area. Organizing for suppliers and managing demand is a major task for these women. Maintaining ethnicity and authenticity in work, the handicraft manufactures display the best creations in animal figures, pottery work, lamps, glass works and also a series of wood work. The demand for this handicraft items is always there and amazing pieces of jewellery has been designed by these women. Many handcrafters at Shega use entirely indigenous materials and don’t use non-traditional materials, and up cycle industrial materials. Capacity Building for Local Artisans

Ethiopia possesses various kinds of unique handicrafts because of its unique history, tradition and diverse culture.. The demand for handicrafts is however said to be decreasing because of changes in life-style, and people do not require the handicrafts for daily life any longer. One study shows that the handicrafts are not yet a major export item in Ethiopia, since there are only a few workshops that can produce the high quality handicrafts and satisfy international customers. Since the handicraft industry is basically a cottage industry, accurate data such as the number of enterprises, production and job creation, was not available. The same study reveals that Ethiopian handicraft industry in the future will create a job opportunity for 1.5 to 2 million people. Workshop

Shega Organizes and Provides trainings, ,exposure visits and experience sharing workshops to similar schemes with successful marketing approaches, possibly in Addis Ababa and the surrounding. All through the training, the trainees will also be supported to develop their business plan, how microfinance and cooperatives collaborate themselves for artisans. The training will comprise designing and colour combination theories. Branding their products and marketing strategy will also so be one of the main areas of the workshop in order to deliver the product to the appropriate customers with the expected income. Shega believes in equipping the local artisans to lead the ever growing market and to contribute to the dynamically developing sectors of tourism. Sequentially, shega will provide a stage where entrepreneurship and leadership could be put into operation. Ethiopia Handcraft Forum

The handicraft sector in Ethiopia is characterized by a subsistent, isolated & inefficient business with multiple problems. It is a creative sector producing traditional craft & functional wares for the rural & urban community through primary & retail market. Ethiopia’s artisan craft production & skill giving the country much potential to develop cultural tourism. Jewelry, basketry, embroidery, pottery, wood work, weaving, manuscript leather work and metal work are the major ones among other. Since handicrafts are local-specific, it had created great job opportunities in the rural areas, where there is no significant industry. It is very well known that Crafts by their nature utilize traditional skills and raw materials and require less capital investment than other sectors. They are labor intensive and an excellent means for income generation and economic development. Crafts have been used both for primary employment, especially in rural areas and for secondary employment during off-seasons in the agricultural cycle. The earnings from tourism have made it one of the world’s largest industries and the fastest growing sectors of global trade accounting for 10.7 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), 12.8 per cent of global exports, 8.2 percent of global employment (or one in every 12.2 jobs), and 9.4 per cent of global capital investment. In the surveyed handicraft producer/retailers shows that the handicraft industry has become a source of an employment opportunity and income generation area for both the youths and females alike. As the survey reveals 75 % are females and the rest are males. Around 85% of the employed in the handicrafts business is from the local community. Source: Amhara Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Parks Development

About TLH Ethiopia and Partners

Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia ( TLH Ethiopia) is a non-profit , non-governmental organization established in June 2004. Re registered on October 30, 2009 as Ethiopian Residents Charity Organization according to the new Civil Societies Legislation. TLH Ethiopia is undertaking number of tasks to fulfill the vision of bringing socioeconomic advancement in Ethiopia through various Empowerment Programs. Since 2005 TLH Ethiopia Income Generating Association has trained 3,600 beneficiaries who came from TLH Ethiopia network member organizations, partner organizations, government organizations, local and international NGOs. All IGA beneficiaries have been trained of Sewing, machine and hand embroidery and pottery

Design Lab

Shega’s prime partner, Design lab will render creative design and brand management services. Illustrations and artworks will be greatly used express ideas and concepts. Designlab has engaged eleven permanent staff members who have given their contentment creative works to different financial institutions, commercial firms, NGOs and government agencies.