Color Silk is building the first-ever natural dye laboratory for Cambodian silk-making, collaborating with youth volunteers across ASEAN countries.

Written by Ikmal Fahmi, August 22 2024

Banteay Srei, Siem Reap - The first-ever natural silk dye laboratory in Cambodia is being built by Color Silk, a Cambodian silk-making NGO. The project which is called Natural Dye Laboratory and Planting (NDLP) is a part of Maybank’s Empowering Youths Cohort 4. In this project, Color Silk was awarded an approximately 25,000 USD grant to construct the natural silk dye laboratory and accommodate the activities of 10 youth volunteers from 10 ASEAN countries.

The volunteers stayed in Siem Reap for 2 weeks from early August until mid-August to accomplish the project missions ranging from monitoring the construction activities in Banteay Srei, planting dye trees across Banteay Srei, and holding a natural dye workshop for local weavers. 

The laboratory building designed by the volunteer team before their visit to Siem Reap can empower the silk weaving community in Banteay Srei, Siem Reap by promoting sustainable natural dyeing over chemical dyeing. This facility gives opportunity to the local weavers to experiment with natural dye in their silk-making processes. 

About The Natural Dye Laboratory

Location: Maybank Silk Weaving Training Centre, Banteay Srei, Siem Reap

Size: 4m (width) x 12m (length) x 4m (height)

Initial construction budget: 7000 USD

Estimated time to finish: September 2024

Funders: Maybank Foundation and ASEAN Foundation

Why it is built?

• To create a conducive dyeing laboratory for natural dye testing

• To promote the use of natural dye over chemical dye in the weaving community

• To train and educate women weavers about the natural dyeing process

• To enhance the understanding of color safety and to reduce the use of chemical dyes in hand-woven products

• To create job opportunities and generate income, particularly for the women and farmers in rural areas 

Volunteers’ contributions

What  they had accomplished so far in 2 weeks?

• Educated on the advantages of natural dye by meeting with the high school students at Banteay Srei High School

  
  

The students discussed their difficulties in their learning, listened to their future goals, and they sought advice from the volunteers.

• Engaged with the local community to listen to their real voices, exchange our perspectives, and learn from each other through the Interviews 

  
  

• Planted 400 dye trees in 40 households within two days in Banteay Srei.

• Provided special training sessions regarding natural dyes for local women