LWDLIK- 'Trash to Treasure' (A worthy project for the runaway, abused, distressed workers seeking refuge at the Phillipine embassy. To keep them sane, busy and instill self worth)
The update from Cheryl and Nerissa..
The Trash to Treasure team of volunteers would like to pause and recognize the creativity and hard work of the Philippine ladies we have been privileged to work with over the past year. These strong spirited ladies have shown incredible team work and resilience in spite of the difficult circumstances they contend with. We are very proud of the association we share and wanted to let the very dedicated and caring labor office staff know what your women have accomplished with your support.Since March, 2010, the sale of their rugs and other hand made items has totaled over 1,100 KD! These earnings have purchased for their use the following items:
Over the counter medications
250 pair of socks
200 undergarments
8 standing fans
50 metal plates
Toiletries & personal hygiene supplies
Laundry detergent
3 folding project tables
Craft supplies: scissors, glue guns, beads, etc.
Sewing machine repairs
Eyeglasses for ward
Notebooks for Seven Habits participants
Travel totes
Fashion Show.
Iszonica Modelling School has challenged the ladies to a design competition using shopping bags and recycled materials to create a dress for an upcoming fashion show to benefit women in shelters. The “mock ups” were beautifully modelled at POLO (Phillipine Overseas Labour Office) last week, giving us a taste of what is yet to come! The display of creativity was dazzling. The charity fashion show will take place at The Holiday Inn Hotel, Salmiya on November 10. Ticket sales will benefit displaced domestic workers in shelters in Kuwait; the cost is 10KD per ticket. Guest designers will be allowed to participate and dresses from sponsoring shops will also be modeled. Rugs and other hand made items will be available for purchase at the event. All completed projects must have the name of the designer (in duplicate) attached. If the style and quality result in the sale of an item while the designer is still at POLO, they will receive 50% of the selling price!
Soon to Start: Seven Habits Class.
English speaking ladies at POLO are invited to consider if they would like to sign up for another Seven Habits of Highly Effective Living course. We will offer a series of 4 seminars and class size will be limited. A commitment to participate and complete the course (unless repatriated) is expected of all who sign up. Tentative start date: Wednesday, 3rd November.
Trash To Treasure Vision:
Trash To Treasure seeks to inspire disenfranchised domestic workers in Kuwait towards independence and creativity by:
1. Resourcing women to recycle common materials into marketable, functional art.
2. Teaching women personal growth and business skills using principles of Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Living.
3. Empowering women to be leaders by teaching what they have learned, and serving their peers with the income from product sales
Trash to Treasure is linking up with Crown Relocations Int. in Kuwait. This company is committed to both social and environmental responsibility and seeks to support projects that reflect these values. It was proposed that Crown would welcome each new family it relocates to Kuwait with a “house warming” gift of a Trash to Treasure rug. They agreed to the proposal and have already purchased the first two gifts! Crown representatives also sold 94KD in rugs at the British Business Forum held this week at the Hilton. Over half of Crown’s employees in Kuwait are Filipino; we welcome their warm support.
New Mattresses Arrive.
The former Catholic church that met at the US Embassy has gifted Trash To Treasure with a 500KD donation. With guidance from the welfare workers at POLO it was decided that this money would go to purchase new mattresses. To keep these sleeping surfaces clean, fabric was purchased to make washable covers. Volunteers, including Ethiopian women also living in a transitional shelter sewed the lovely pink covers to protect the 150 new mattresses.
LWDLIK- Much kudos to Cheryl Spessert and Nerissa Alford for their time and love. If only the world had more people like this. Please look out for them at the bazaars this year as this project and Operation Hope need all the help they can get. To the ladies at the refuge please stay strong, believe life can be better and may you return home to your families very soon.
If any kind soul can offer to supply refreshments and snacks at their fashion show on 10th November please email them or me LWDLIK@gmail.com and I will forward email to the ladies. It's a great cause. Can you imagine how these unfortunate, abused and distressed domestic workers feel when they know that people actually care. Thank you.
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