​Good for the environment
We have a brilliant selection of bags, purses made from recycled materials, which make ideal gifts for people who love all things earth-friendly. Each bag & wallets  are  crafted by hand in an ethical manner under the Fair Trade Cambodia initiative. Beautifully made, fair-trade and environmentally friendly. You can't get better than that!

Most of us have heard about fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate but the fair trade range goes beyond food. Craftworks Cambodia makes a fantastic selection of ethical products including accessories such as bags, wallets and scarves, skillfully hand crafted jewelry and natural handmade soaps. There is something to suit everyone and everything is hand made using traditional skills. The pieces are all made individually artisan made and not churned out of a factory so each piece has its own individuality and is unique. The fairly made and eco-friendly products that are available from Craftworks Cambodia include a brilliant selection of bags made from recycled materials. There are wallets, baby bags, shopping totes and more.  If you are after something unique and delightful there is a variety of stunning recycled Fair-trade jewelry which is always popular. The colours and styles vary from traditional to more contemporary creations made from all sorts of recycled materials. Beautifully made, fair-trade and environmentally friendly. www.craftworkscambodia.com

Mr.Chenla Chan lives in Cambodia on the outskirts of Phnom Penh City with his wife and two daughters. He is an inspirational man.

Mr.Chenla Chan was born in 1980 in a refugee camp. The eldest son with 6 brothers and sisters his parents escaped to the refugee camps in Thailand in early 1980 just after the notorious Khmer Rouge era / Pol Pot regime. He and his family lived in the refugee camp for 14 years.

His life then was very difficult he did not have enough income for food and the only way he could earn any money was by waking up before dawn to pick up leftover rice, bottles, cans and other rubbish in the dust bins to sell to a Thai business man.  He went to study Cambodian language from 7.30am till 10:30am every morning and after his studies he went back to pick through the garbage to find scraps and things that could be recycled. He was also needed to help his mother with the work at home such as taking care of his younger sisters and brothers while his mother was busy to cook for her children. It was while he was staying in Phanat Nikhom refugee camp in 1989, he met Keang  the founder of Craftworks Cambodia (CC).

Mr.Chenla Chan returned to Cambodia with his family in 1994. They were homeless, landless. and facing severe difficulties. There was not enough food, no income, no employment, and no shelter to stay in when they arrived in Cambodia. They asked permission from relatives to allow them some land to live on; finally, his uncle gave them some land and they built a temporary tent to live in. Mr.Chenla Chan was now old enough to be a motor taxi driver in the village and he helped support his family. He took a chance to carry on his study for two more years until 1996. He finished only grade 7. After that he decided to go to Phnom Penh city to find a job there, he was introduced to Mr.Seng and learned to make jewelry, he also learnt English part time for two years. Using the jewelery making skills he learned from Mr. Seng he now makes jewelry from recycled brass bomb shells for Craftworks Cambodia. He has now been making jewelery for over 10 years is a very experienced and skilled jeweler.

In 2001 he married Ms.Kuoch Reaksmey Wong, (age 30) at the River of Life church. His wife was also born in a refugee camp near the Cambodian Thai border. But they were born in different camps. They now have two daughters. His eldest daughter Sorya Chenla, age 9 and Konika Chenla, age 7 both go to school every day. They also study Cambodian language and English part time.
Mr. Chenla Chan worked for River of Life church from 1997 till 2013.  He worked in many different roles including worship leader, playing the drum and helping to teach orphans. He decided to resign from his position at church because he wanted to spend more time with his family and wanted to work full time making jewelry as Craftworks Cambodia gave a lot of orders to him. The extra income helped his family; it helped his daughters to go to school and helped the kids in need in the rural communities.
Mr.Chenla Chan is delighted to have a decent job. He now has a lot of time to spend with his two kids and his wife. He also has time to take his kids to go to school every day, he can take his wife to markets daily as well. He is more freedom and independent to work as a home based artisan. When he wants to enjoy the special events such as wedding party, birthday or any celebrations, he can attend them freely and joyfully. No need to ask permission from the boss for a leave.
He is still facing difficulties, he works from a tiny space in his from home and his working place is too small. He sleeps eats and runs his church from the same room. He has some space behind his house for a mini-workshop in the future but he is unable to afford to expand or build this workshop yet. 
If Craftworks Cambodia provides more orders to him and his producers group he is planning to build this workshop in the near future and buy some new jewelry equipment.

On 1 June 2014 he founded a new church. Without any donors/ funding from overseas or other churches, they have been able to organize and manage the church with 35 children by themselves Most of the kids come from very poor communities, they are malnourished, lack love and care from others Most of the kids' parents go to work in the garment factories, and the children are left all day without care. He and his wife decided to buy some slippers, notebooks, pencils & pens etc… and also bought some snacks, water, drinks, and sometimes food for them on Sundays. Some poor families need some help with getting enough food occasionally, and we have to support them as we can.

His wife, Reaksmey works for the church on Sundays, she teaches, sing a song, and tell the stories about God. She also helps to care for some of the children who need extra care. She cuts their nails, washes their hair, bathes kids and sometimes cook food for them. All the kids are so happy and enjoy with us so much!!!

With the support of groups such as Craftworks Cambodia, many artisans like Mr.Chenla Chan are hoping that the sales of the recycled brass bomb shell jewelry and more  will generate an income that will provide their families and their communities the chance at a better future. This project (Craftworks Cambodia) ensures that the artisans are fairly rewarded for their work and helps to provide support for education and training in the communities in Cambodia.

Towards Fair Trade.
Recycled brass bomb shell & horn charm bracelet and jewelry, ethically handcrafted by disadvantaged home based workers in the small community in Cambodia.
Here is a very brief history; after the Vietnam War spread to Cambodia, the communist Khmer Rouge regime took power on 17 April 1975. What followed was years of devastation, mass killings, torture and fear. From 1975 to 1979, led by the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, there was a reign of terror in this small country. In 4 years, nearly 2 million Cambodians were murdered. Under the government that followed a full pardon was given to all members of the Khmer Rouge for the genocide and atrocities they had committed, this was a slap in the face to the surviving Cambodian People. In 1993, a mere 20 years ago, peace came to Cambodia. Since then, the country has struggled to find growth and prosperity while surrounded by the remnants of war. The endless list of challenges they still face include land mines, extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure, lack of jobs and a population left deeply wounded both physically and psychologically.

 Brass jewelry hand made from bombshells that helps transform
the scars of war into the beauty of peace.  After two decades of war, one in every 250 Cambodians is disabled and the proportion of amputees - one in every 384 people - is the highest in the world. 

The Cambodian countryside is littered with bomb casings. Crafts
  men and women use the brass bombshells to create fashionable jewelry, statements for peace. This symbolic jewelry takes the scars of a country's horrific history and turns them into something beautiful while at the same time offering a more positive future for the artisans, as well as the direct victims of landmines. The jewelry shows a creative reaction to violent conflict, a way of reminding us of the impressive strength that lies within so many.

·       Crafting History towards a Positive Future

Cambodians are renowned for their generous, humble and kind nature. For those who have been there this reputation rings true throughout the whole country. Hand in hand with this there is an ever-present undertone of grief known only to a country that has seen horror and experienced great loss. It was in the 1970’s that the savage Pol Pot regime brought civil war to Cambodia and still renders its mark with 30% of people living below the poverty line. However, this tragic history does not impede on the spirit of the Cambodian people and it is amazing to see a country building and developing for a positive future. 

Now on the tourist trail, economic growth is evident and Cambodia is seeing a turnaround. Cambodians themselves are determined to work towards a more profitable country. Companies such as Craftworks Cambodia are dedicated to this cause by providing fair trade work to disadvantaged Cambodians for their arts, crafts and trades. CC is a company which works towards Cambodia’s growth and development by supporting individual families. Artist Chantha Thoeun and his wife Thearny Kol are a couple employed by the company and they work as jewelers creating beautiful and unique pieces. Chantha talks of his work with CC “I have more freedom and independence. I also have more time to take care of my daughter and son.” With incomes going to support families with babies and children as well as providing Jobs to other workers in the communities in Cambodia, CC’s efforts to build and work towards a strong future are unmistakable. 

The types of goods that are created by CC’s artisans are distinctive and beautiful, touched with history. Postwar debris such as bomb casings and bullet shells are handcrafted into stunning, stylish pieces. It seems fitting to draw a parallel with the transformation of the pieces to that of Cambodia’s past as it moves towards a positive future.

One example of this transformation is with the Natural Stone Rings and hammered rings, which begin as found bomb casings and result in high quality, beautiful rings. The rings are bold and distinctive, yet the fine detailing of ‘CAMBODIA’ intricately branded into the inner brass gives the rings femininity. The brass material highlights the natural stone that is the focal point of the piece. The stone has standout style with a flawless finish and comes in a choice of polished black or semi-polished white.

CC also works with materials such as recycled paper and hand-woven silk to produce unique and inspired products, garments and jewelry. The Recycled Tubing Purses as the name denotes are made from recycled tubing creating an edgy and reworked design on a classic purse. The purses are eco friendly and ethically made by home based workers who are living with HIV/AIDS in the community. Every purse is handmade so each one possesses little unique qualities, making it your own. The overall style is chic and eye-catching with bright strips of textured material complementing against the black leather of the purse. The artisans of CC take pride in their work and strive for beauty and quality. Chantha talks of his work with CC,

"‘We will continue to try our best as we are so very pleased to produce jewelry for our customers through Craftworks Cambodia." 

All works from Craftworks Cambodia as well as more information on the artisans and their stories can be found on The Craftworks Cambodia.
www.craftworkscambodia.com 

Recycled Brass Bullet Casings Natural Stone Necklace. Ethically handcrafted by disadvantaged home based workers.
Brass jewellery hand made from bombshells that helps transform
the scars of war into the beauty of peace.  After two decades of war, one in every 250 Cambodians is disabled and the proportion of amputees - one in every 384 people - is the highest in the world. 

The Cambodian countryside is littered with bomb casings. Crafts
  men and women use the brass bombshells to create fashionable jewellery,  statements for peace. This symbolic jewellery takes the scars of a country's  horrific history and turns them into something beautiful while at the same time  offering a more positive future for the artisans, as well as the direct victims  of landmines. The jewellery shows a creative reaction to violent conflict, a way of reminding us of the impressive strength that lies within so many.

Recycled Bomb Natural Stones Hammered-Cuff
we have transformed bomb shells into items of beauty by recycling the brass into these natural stones hammered- cuff bracelet, made by disadvantaged local artisans in Cambodia.

Start blogging by creating a new post. You can edit or delete me by clicking under the comments. You can also customize your sidebar by dragging in elements from the top bar.