The factory has nearly 200 workers from the village and surrounding areas.

"We can export the ceramics we make, but only the villagers can revive it within the country," Luu said, explaining that they are trained by craftsmen and professional designers.

The factory also works with the provincial education department to train villagers (and anyone else interested in the work) with short courses. A crafting curriculum is also now required for vocational training school students.

Chuyen has taken one of the courses in addition to visiting other craft village like Bat Trang in Ha Noi.

"I really want to learn the steps of making ceramic wares. I am totally into it," Chuyen said.

But he’s still short of money for a kiln of his own.

"Technical help I can get from the factory, but a kiln is really expensive for a farmer like me," Chuyen said, adding that the setup costs can run to VND300 million.

Luu said his corporation has allocated VND100 million to lend to local villagers. "We have this amount and we are serious about this issue," Luu said.

However, Chuyen said the amount couldn’t make up for the inability of villagers to obtain low-interest loans.

Luan, the commune’s chairman, agreed with Chuyen, saying that "the villagers need to have priority when it comes to loans. They need low-interest loans to start a few kilns first," Luan said. He agreed it would be much easier if the village had one or two kilns to start with.

The provincial and district authorities enabled the commune to allocate 8.6ha of land outside the village for possible kilns, the chairman said.

But Luan asserts the available area in the village is too small for even a kiln and the setup would have to benefit the village socially and environmentally.

"It is undeniable that the villagers’ lives are unstable if they continue to rely on only two rice crops a year," Luan said, explaining that the craft may be the life jacket saving them from hunger in case a crop is destroyed.

Chuyen agreed with the chairman about the importance of the craft to the villagers, but he needs to break the ice for others to follow. The only way that could happen is with low-interest loans and a place to build a kiln.

"I know I can feed my family more if I get the chance to make ceramic ware. It would be a more stable life for everyone in the village," Chuyen said. He didn’t share the chairman’s concerns about finding a market in which to sell finished products. "Once products are available on the markets there will be more demand for them," he said.

 

Source: Viet Nam News