While
we hope that we can turn the concept into a viable business, (and
with your collective support, it WILL be a success) our aim
is to at least train and employ the ladies (and any others that
wish to be part of the show) which will go part of the way to helping
them become self sufficient.
Already, the change in the ladies is amazing, they have turned
up the last four days, helping shift sand, planting grass, etc
and are really excited that they now have some sort of future;
we can sense a growing feeling of pride.
There
is plenty of room for expansion, and we are already discussing
with some sponsors the chance to build a larger open air work
section, with a retail outlet and coffee shop. At the rear
of the property, we have suggested a garden area, some accomodation
units, (some could do with a tad better place to live) with maybe
a guest house or two for those who would like the experience of
spending some time on site.
The
current premises could then become office area, including
an admin training centre with space for a few training computers.
If
you can't make it on the day, feel free to drop in any time.
Update
18 Jan
We
picked up some of the ladies, to show them the premises that will
be the Garment Factory. They are excited with the plan, so
much so, that Warti has decided to book into sewing classes, so
that she can be productive right from day one. We took that
as a positive indication !!!!
The
premises will be available from February 3rd. We will be ready
to start the set up on that day, and will arrange a blessing
/ party for the 4th of Feb.
If
you do intend to take a peek, please let us know so that we can
ensure adequate munchies are available.
This
Initial Blessing is necessary before we start production, and
will be followed "Down the Road" by an Opening Ceremony.
So, anyone in Bali at the time is more than welcome to come along.
The
address is Jl Raya Pemogan # 135, which runs off the Ngurah Rai
Bypass road. As it is close to Kuta, and easy to find, we feel
it would be ideal to include a wholesale retail outlet on the
premises, and once the lawn area is ready, we plan to sell coffee
and snacks in the garden.
Already,
we have expressions of interest for orders, so we feel it is mperative
to get up & going ASAP.
Of
course, we do have a wish
list, anything & everything from "basic
requirements" to "great if it happens."
All
contributions to the Co-Op will be acknowledged, in the way of
a plaque on the Sponsors wall, ie donations of:
| Rp.
1,000,000, plus = Bronze |
| Rp.
5,000,000, plus = Silver |
| Rp.
10,000,000, plus = Gold |
This
is one project that has the full backing of everyone that knows
about it, and so far the only negative comments would require
total success. One
such comment was "What if it's a huge success, and the Co-Op
has to employ more people?"
What an amazing turn around, the people who were once "victims" could
be training, employing & helping others !!!
Please
take a look at the wish
list, if you can help in any way, or would
like to be part of project, and this includes marketing, then
please don't hesitate to jump in.
How
it Started
The concept was formed after a sponsor purchased a sewing machine
for one of the widows. Two days later, we visited the other 7
widows in the area (all together.) They had already heard
that their friend had received a new sewing machine, were joking
with us, and expressed that they would like a machine as
well.
As they really don't have a suitable area to put a machine, we
thought of renting a building, pooling the resources, and
setting up a co-op business, hoping that with careful planning
we could help to make them independent.
We have been promised full support from three of our major donor's
to set the project up. One
of them has a garment business already in Bali, and has offered
his expertise to train the ladies, and help market the produce.
Another, wants to market the produce on Europe. An Australian
newspaper will most likely do an article on the project (The staff
of the paper are one of our sponsors.)
Another local NGO has a quantity of donated fabric that they have
offered towards the project.
The individual sponsors of the widows have also expressed a desire
to be involved, and we plan to offer the ladies a wage, instead
of the monthly food handout. By offering a salary, instead of
cash and food handouts, we give the widows their dignity back.
We are talking to the ladies, to give them an idea of what's ahead
for them, and have arranged to seek suitable premises within walking
distance from their area of residence.
We believe, because of the background & novelty value, we
have a marketable project, and if we do it right, and produce
a decent quality, we can gain world wide promotion & hopefully
a world wide market, which will help immensely for the success
of the project.
Watch
this space for updates on our progress, and please, feel free
to pass on any thoughts you may have, a combined effort will make
life much easier.
