Saori for tsunami Thailand

SAORI is a contemporary hand weaving program founded by a Japanese lady, Misao Jo about 35 years ago.
In the past 35 years, SAORI has been introduced all over Japan, and there are more than 40,000 SAORI weavers in Japan only.  SAORI has also been introduced overseas, in more than 40 countries.  SAORI is now practiced across Japan, other countries in Asia, Middle East, North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Australia and Africa at nearly one thousand institutions including special education schools, sheltered workshops, high schools, adult education centers, and rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities.

The Maya Gotami Fundation led by Ajahn Mitsuo Gavesako has launched a SAORI Hand Weaving as Occupational Therapy to help the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Southern Thailand.

The foundation was set up to invite this art of weaving and use it as a type of therapy to help heal and explore creativity to those affected by the 2004 tsunami. Proceeds from the items they make, like wristbands and anklets, go to support the people of Phang Nga, a province that was largely affected by the 2004 tsunami. The purchase of every 6 wristbands equals to a days worth of meals for one tsunami relief family living in Phang Nga, Thailand.

Whilst the original purchase of these products/wrist-bands supports the 2004 tsunami survivors in southern Thailand, the sale of them in this country will go to aid donations for the survivors of the Japanese tsunami March 2011.