The story of rural villagers working together to create island style bags & crafts to earn a decent income.
Recently, the women of Paama Island in the Republic of Vanuatu have created a new style of basket & bag making. Using cotton material sold in Vanuatu printed with its vibrant taste and island motif; these women have created hand bags, backpacks, purses, and wallets all suitable for any carrying needs. The 40 women have started “A Basket for Change” with the help of two Peace Corps volunteers stationed on the island of Paama; Amy Chan & Brianna Russell.
After their first successful round of producing 80 bags sold to other Peace Corps volunteers & the ACTIV fair-trade shop in Port Vila, they’re preparing for growth. Majority of the women sow the bags by hand as they cannot afford sowing machines but there are few that use machines. Now they have elected three executive representatives who will work closely with the Peace Corps volunteers in making this project sustainable and annual. The representatives are: Esi Cyrus, age 32, a mother of 4 children, native of Paama and past President of the Women of the Presbyterian Women’s Group. Elsie Ezkiel, age 30, from Tevaliaot village & current home care teacher at the local Rural Training Center in Paama. And Lisa Avock, age 30, who resides in a small village, Lulep, on the East coast of Paama. Each woman has a family of her own, is active in the community, the church, and other events. When not working on projects or other ceremonious events the women are found either in the home or in their gardens.
Most women don’t have paying jobs, living in a rural village on a 32 sq km island with a population of about 1800 people, regular urban jobs are few and far between especially for women. Only three out of 22 villages has electricity during the night hours of 6-9pm. Most don’t even have running water or water seal toilets. On average they earn 100-200vt ($1.00-$2.00 USD) a week from selling their local fresh crops at the island market on Paama. They spend their money on protein-filled items and school fee’s. The lucky villagers will have other sources of income from other family living in the urban areas of Vanuatu or from running a small store, fishing business, etc.
However, these bags sell for 250-500vt ($2.50-$5.00 USD) each costing less than 100vt to make giving the women an above average profit margin on their products. The plan is to make bulk orders of 80-100 and ship to the ACTIV trade shop in Port Vila two times a year and one time a year to the U.S.A. The women also plan to sell smaller amounts for cheaper to other rural islands close by. So far the women have earned about 66,200vt ($662.00 USD) total for the fiscal year of 2009.
We have currently purchased a website, have an email and are working to build this project on a foundation of sustainability!
Contact us for a local retailer in U.S. or custom orders.
After their first successful round of producing 80 bags sold to other Peace Corps volunteers & the ACTIV fair-trade shop in Port Vila, they’re preparing for growth. Majority of the women sow the bags by hand as they cannot afford sowing machines but there are few that use machines. Now they have elected three executive representatives who will work closely with the Peace Corps volunteers in making this project sustainable and annual. The representatives are: Esi Cyrus, age 32, a mother of 4 children, native of Paama and past President of the Women of the Presbyterian Women’s Group. Elsie Ezkiel, age 30, from Tevaliaot village & current home care teacher at the local Rural Training Center in Paama. And Lisa Avock, age 30, who resides in a small village, Lulep, on the East coast of Paama. Each woman has a family of her own, is active in the community, the church, and other events. When not working on projects or other ceremonious events the women are found either in the home or in their gardens.
Most women don’t have paying jobs, living in a rural village on a 32 sq km island with a population of about 1800 people, regular urban jobs are few and far between especially for women. Only three out of 22 villages has electricity during the night hours of 6-9pm. Most don’t even have running water or water seal toilets. On average they earn 100-200vt ($1.00-$2.00 USD) a week from selling their local fresh crops at the island market on Paama. They spend their money on protein-filled items and school fee’s. The lucky villagers will have other sources of income from other family living in the urban areas of Vanuatu or from running a small store, fishing business, etc.
However, these bags sell for 250-500vt ($2.50-$5.00 USD) each costing less than 100vt to make giving the women an above average profit margin on their products. The plan is to make bulk orders of 80-100 and ship to the ACTIV trade shop in Port Vila two times a year and one time a year to the U.S.A. The women also plan to sell smaller amounts for cheaper to other rural islands close by. So far the women have earned about 66,200vt ($662.00 USD) total for the fiscal year of 2009.
We have currently purchased a website, have an email and are working to build this project on a foundation of sustainability!
Contact us for a local retailer in U.S. or custom orders.
http://www.activ.com.vu/products_abc.htm
A Basket for Change
Brianna Russell & Amy Chan
Liro, Paama Vanuatu
5421817 mobile, 48411 local number
brerussell@gmail.com
