Thank you, Claire Kachkouch Soussi for this radio report produced during the visit to our workshop, titled "Women and Leather in Graulhet".
It's Thursday morning. Like every week, the participants of the FLE (French as a Foreign Language) group meet at the Maison des Familles in Graulhet. Every other Thursday, these newly arrived women are accompanied by members of the Compagnie Nanaqui to explore their desire to work, to showcase their skills in sewing, weaving, etc. Within this initiative called "Place(s) aux femmes" (Place for Women), popular education, self-esteem work, and intercultural encounters come together to progress during these shared appointments.
On this winter Thursday, the group of women prepares their questions before visiting the Bandit Manchot company, founded by Anne, Marie-Christine, and Marie-Laure, three women, three destinies, and a common determination: to create and produce different "made in France" fashion. "Made in Graulhet," even, where the leather industry once thrived before brutally declining with the relocation of companies at the beginning of the 21st century. Today, the industry is reinventing itself.
The visit to this innovative company brings together worlds that are not used to meeting.
