What a clever way for little hands to learn how to thread. Two different coloured laces can be threaded up and down through the wooden elephant to make different patterns. The elephant measures 14 cms by 10 cms. Handmade by former leprosy patients at Manoram Christian Hospital. Cured of leprosy, but left with serious disabilities these people learn artistic skills through the Leprosy Rehabilitation Project. Often, the only other income possibility for those disfigured by leprosy is to beg on city streets.In 1992, The Thai Craft Association, a member of the Fair Trade Association partnered with 25 artisan groups from villages in Central, North and Northeast Thailand. Some Southern groups later joined in 1995. Over the years, more than 80 groups have been involved, from remote hilltribe minorities in the North to Muslim fishing communities in the deep South; from city slum dwellers to rice-paddy farmers far off the beaten track. Today, ThaiCraft's 70 partner groups come from all regions of Thailand
