Coir Works

After the coconut hulls have soaked for some months in open pits, the women separate the fibers and let them dry on the ground. Sr. Rita and the USA staff pause to speak to one of the women.

Elizabeth Thomas earns a little extra money by hand spinning the fiber into ropes.

A set of rads is required to automate the spinning process. Rads are among the Seeds of Love gifts available. Usually rads require 2 women to operate. Santamma, shown here, lives in an area where electricity is available. Her sponsor purchased a set of electric rads for her so she can work alone.

Some women earn a little extra income by handweaving mats on a frame loom. It is a time consuming task but requires little equipment.

Robert is a successful weaver of mats which he sells to a local factory. The loom sits in a shed on his property. He is able to support his family in a simple but decent lifestyle by this means. A loom can purchased for your family or as a seeds of love gift.

Finished mats. Weaving the mats is laborious. The rope must be beaten down well and the tufts of coir laid in by hand. Some of the men in our families develop leg and ankle problems if they are not strong.

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