Stitch Sainte Luce
Artisan & Partner Stories
Stitch Sainte Luce
About
Stitch Sainte Luce is an ethical embroidery cooperative based in Sainte Luce, a rural community in South East Madagascar. Founded in 2012 with 9 women, the cooperative has grown to over 120 artisans. Their work aims to empower women in rural communities by building a business cooperative that improves the quality and sustainability of life in one of the world’s poorest regions.
Sainte Luce is a 2-hour drive through rough terrain to the nearest big town of Fort Dauphin. Because of its remoteness, economic opportunities are limited. Stitch offers women a way to supplement their income while still meeting their daily responsibilities. There is no electricity in Sainte Luce — the embroiderers work entirely in daylight hours.
The Work
Each piece is unique and reflects the individual creativity of the embroiderer who made it. The designs are drawn from the natural elements of their environment: the colors, shapes, and rhythms of the landscape surrounding Sainte Luce. Pieces are hand-sewn and hand-embroidered using locally purchased threads and recycled fabric.
Each finished piece carries the hand-stitched name of both the project and the individual embroiderer who made it. The maker’s name is sewn into the piece itself — not a tag, not a label. A signature, in thread.
Impact
- 1,500 community members — 18% of the local population — are supported by the income generated by Stitch, enabling participants to buy food for their families and pay for their children’s education.
- More than half of the participants earn more from their embroidery work than their monthly household expenditure.
- The Stitch studio has become an important gathering place for women in the community.
- New training opportunities are being developed in English language, business and sales, and product development.