The “Jobs for Moms” project continued to produce custom made cloth bags according to the designs of our customers who purchased it to pack their merchandise. In addition, we too were able to sell many of our small grey cloth bags at the annual Charity Bazaar which is one of our major fundraising events held each year. These bags were purchased to pack the goods that were sold at the stall especially our beautiful hand painted glass bottles. We were also approached by producers who inquired if we would like to diversify with our response of “ YES” we were able to hold discussions with a supplier who currently supplies trendy necklaces made from Batik and wooden beads to renowned shops in Colombo.
During this Christmas season, we have a couple of experienced mothers who accepted orders independently from a variety of clients, in addition to the main product they are currently sewing which are pillowcases
We are proud to report that the Jobs for Moms program has been growing from strength to strength. In the last few months we have expanded our monthly orders to include a thousand small jewelry bags for another NGO providing needed services.
To young women due to the expansion of the program we have been able to purchase an additional sewing machine for Janaki, one of our most promising beneficiaries. She will be able to put her entrepreneurship and commitment to good use and set up her independent sewing business and directly deal with her buyers, under E.A.S.E. supervision.
Our other caregivers are honing their skills and trying to
produce neat bags to our exacting standards to fulfil the
requirements of our customers.
We thank all doors for their generous contribunions!
Equipping the Equipped
Once the training was completed E.A.S.E gifted seven (7) Sewing machines to five (5) mothers and one(01) father to generate an income, these are parents of children who are attending E.A.S.E. Foundations educational program. Even though this project initiative was for moms, due to the interest and the skill that was shown by a father, he too was gifted with a machine. Additionally one Mom an experienced seamstress was gifted with two (2) machines to expand her current home based business.
Business opportunities
At first E.A.S.E will intervene and support the participants in finding buyers for the items that will be produced, and latterly these parents will take the ownership and improve their business to the next level.
However due to the interest shown by the “green conscious buyers”, we have been able to promote the Shopping bag in addition to the other items amongst our well-wishers and followers of our Face Book page. We have also been able to obtain a few orders for our caregivers to generate an income.
Training Moms
The Jobs for Moms project completed training six mothers. Three mothers received a full training as they had no previous experience with using sewing machines or sewing. Three mothers were trained to use the juki sewing machines only as they were already familar with sewing.
The trainer is a single mother herself, who has been sewing for 20 years and has experience training seamstresses overseas. She hugely appreciated the opportunity to share her knowledge with the mothers, and wished to thank donors for giving her this experience.
Sales points
As per the sales plan, Jobs for Moms has established two sales points - Prana Lounge and Bhumi. Both of which are situtated in Colombo.
Product Development
In order to improve sales we are currently working on sourcing material for laundry bags. These have been identified as a product with potential in the market and the same material can be used for produce bags.
Your money at work – project update
Thanks to your generous donations, we have launched the first phase of the Jobs for Moms bag program. Lathika, Nirmali, and Janaki, who already have training in sewing, are the first three mothers to start sewing with us.
What our mothers say:
Nirmala, who previously worked as a seamstress, used to earn Rs. 9,000 a month working nine-hour days. She was also required to travel, on her own account, and purchase the accessories required. She is extremely excited about this program and hopes that she will soon be able to focus all her time on the Jobs for Moms orders.
Janaki is now able to put some money aside for emergencies and save for her son’s future. She says having this extra income makes her feel strong and stand taller.
Together with our mothers, we thank you for “being the change you want to see in the world”
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