VILLAGE SIGN 'CRAFTSMEN'; MEN SPINNING, WEAVING AND AT POTTERS WHEEL; FINISHED FABRIC AND WOMAN BURNISHING POTTERY.




Initials SA/V/JH/SS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AS PART OF AN OVERALL PLAN TO MODERNISE TRADITIONAL CRAFTS, THE SENEGALESE GOVERNMENT REQUESTED AN EXPERT FROM THE BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DU TRAVAIL. A PILOT SCHEME IN THE VILLAGE OF SOUMBEDIOUNE NEAR DAKAR IS NOW IN OPERATION CONCENTRATING ON MAKING POTTERY AND SPINNING AND WEAVING.

ABOUT 25,000 PEOPLE WORK FULL OR PART-TIME AS CRAFTSMEN IN SENEGAL. HELP WAS NEEDED PARTICULARLY WITH ADVICE ON MAKING CLOTH OF A HIGH STANDARD IN SIZING, FAST COLOURS AND WASHABLE. THE USE OF MACHINES, NEW LOOMS AND WHEELS WAS RECOMMENDED AS WELL AS BETTER BASIC EQUIPMENT LIKE ELECTRIC OVENS FOR THE POTTERS.

USING NEW TECHNIQUES, THE YOUNG CRAFTSMEN ARE DOING A MORE USEFUL JOB.