FAQ
• What is Cambodian Threads? Cambodian Threads is a Fair Trade Fashion company that offers hand-made, fair trade silk scarves, neckties and bags produced in a comfortable working environment by a family of artisans from a small Cambodian village. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is used to fund Educational Development Projects in Cambodia.
• What is Fair Trade? Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trade. It creates opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers, supports safe and empowering working conditions, ensures the rights of children and respects cultural identity. For more information see http://www.fairtradefederation.org
• Who crafts the products? All products are currently produced by members of the Heng family and their friends.
• Where are products made? Our Fair Trade Scarves, Neckties and Bags are made on the island village of Prek Bongkong, located on the Mekong River in Kandal Province, Cambodia. The village, 20 miles southeast of Phnom Penh and accessible by ferry, is a small rural community with limited access to resources for development. The majority of locals (largely farmers) generate incomes averaging $20-40 US per month.
• How are the scarves made and how long does it take? Raw silk purchased from local farmers is naturally dyed by hand, dried, and then hand spun into thread using a spinning wheel. With the artist’s final design in mind, the finished silk thread is set onto a traditional wooden loom and woven into an air light scarf. Hand twisting threads at the ends prevents fraying. Each scarf takes 6-8 days to finish.
• What is donated? In 2010, we focused on the Cambodian Threads School Supply Initiative. For each scarf sold, ten students at the Preah Takov Primary School in Prek Bongkong Village received basic supplies such as notebooks, maps, pencils, and pens. In 2011, we are focusing on the Cambodian Threads Scholarship Fund, helping to provide English classes to disadvantaged children in Cambodia.
-What percentage of sales are donated? The amount we are able to donate fluctuates based on our operating costs, but it is typically around 30% of gross sales. No one in the company currently receives any compensation for their work.
• How do I best care for my scarf? Silk Scarves should be hand washed in cold water and mild detergent. A low heat iron setting can be used to smooth any wrinkles after hang drying or laying flat to dry.
