Here at Ock Pop Tok we live by the motto “Anything is possible” and we are always striving to make new dreams come true.
I’m pretty sure I picked (unconsciously!) the best time of year to be working with Ock Pop Tok! Hi! My name is Madison McClintock and I’m a filmmaker/visual artist from the U.S. working with Ock Pop Tok for four months.
When asked about their dreams, the weavers all unanimously state, “Travel!” And last month, they had this opportunity! At the beginning of July, the weavers and Jo, our co-founder, travelled to Vietnam, visiting Hanoi, Halong City, and Halong Bay.
We are always creating new things here at Ock Pop Tok and we recently developed a new class for visitors at our Living Crafts Centre, called the Village Weaver Class.
“Do you have indigo growing in your village? Indian trumpet? Turmeric?” These are the first questions we ask before any village training on natural dyes.
Chef Keo was born just down the Mekong from here, in a small village outside of Luang Prabang.
Humblebrag: we have some pretty amazing women here at Ock Pop Tok. Of the current team members, 75 percent are women — many of those in leadership roles.
At Ock Pop Tok, we strive to elevate Laos textiles, while supporting quality, fair trade and women’s empowerment.
Mrs Bang, 33 years old, was one of the visiting weavers. Her 13-year-old daughter (she has two) is learning to weave as well.