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Phon Tong Handicrafts Coop.
LAOS
This handicraft cooperative began in 1980 and works with Lao weavers and basket makers in lowland villages around Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Kommaly Chanthavong directs the co-op, and her husband Noulieme manages finances. Craftswomen intersperse weaving with housework and childcare. Once a dying art, weaving lessons and free raw materials are provided by PhonTong to revive weaving skills and traditions. The cooperative also helps artisans with weaving, woodcarvings, basket weaving, silk production and cattle raising. Mennonite Central Committee workers have been involved with PhonTong since the mid-1980s.\
PhonTong Handicrafts Cooperative and CAMACRAFTS are joint members of the recently established Lao Handicraft group. CAMACRAFTS, a neighboring handicraft organization of PhonTong Handicrafts Cooperative works with Hmong and Lao Handicrafts. PhonTong Cooperative is a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade.
A World Away purchases embroidered wall hangings, cushion covers, table runners, framed weavings, trays, wooden nativities, stables, stools and carved elephants from PhonTong.
Profile Of Laos
 Laos — a landlocked country — is nestled between Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Burma. Most Laotians live in rural regions and remain detached from the world at large. The land is covered with forest and mountains, making travel difficult.
Laos suffered heavy bombing during the Vietnam War and has remained under Communist rule since 1974. Laos is largely an agrarian society that relies on handicraft production to sustain traditions and provide much needed additional income.
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