I can’t believe I only have four weeks left. The time has been just flying by and there is still so much I want to do – particularly at INDECOS. I have been doing many little things- taught powerpoint class on Tuesday, giving help with resume & created brochures, a newsletter and some reports. But what I want to do most is write the proposal for the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program which they want to extend another year- to end in March 2010.
The WEP program started with the goal to benefit Tsunami affected women. The current funders are CIDA and Berindina but their contract expires in March so they want to extend it. These women who have skills like making pillow cases or floor mats are given business training and can receive loans with a only a small amount of interest. The program is so good because it’s so practical- the women actually learn how to find a market and sell the products. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a market in poor villages and they don’t have any connections to the city. One volunteer actually started a store in Kandy a few years ago and it has been very successful for the women there. It would be ideal if we could start sending the products up there or even eventually start a store here in Matara one day!
Yes, I have many ideas. I am also thinking about whether I could send some products to Canada to sell. A wall decoration that would be about $20 in Colombo would only be $2 here so I think even after the shipping and such you could still sell it at a decent price in Canada. I could sell some stuff at the Sidney sidewalk sale, See if 10,000 Villages needs a new connection, or even Start my own store! The wheels are turning.
The WEP program started with the goal to benefit Tsunami affected women. The current funders are CIDA and Berindina but their contract expires in March so they want to extend it. These women who have skills like making pillow cases or floor mats are given business training and can receive loans with a only a small amount of interest. The program is so good because it’s so practical- the women actually learn how to find a market and sell the products. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a market in poor villages and they don’t have any connections to the city. One volunteer actually started a store in Kandy a few years ago and it has been very successful for the women there. It would be ideal if we could start sending the products up there or even eventually start a store here in Matara one day!
Yes, I have many ideas. I am also thinking about whether I could send some products to Canada to sell. A wall decoration that would be about $20 in Colombo would only be $2 here so I think even after the shipping and such you could still sell it at a decent price in Canada. I could sell some stuff at the Sidney sidewalk sale, See if 10,000 Villages needs a new connection, or even Start my own store! The wheels are turning.
Anyway, one thing at a time. If I can get the proposal written then they can get the funding they need to continue the program and get to a point where they can run it without support.
Today the WUSC CEO is coming from Canada so it should be interesting to meet him! And, this weekend us volunteers and such are going to Tasks in Udawalawe.
P.S. I know have 5 saris, 2 cotton ones for comfort, 2 wedding ones for quality and 1 silk one which is more casual and will be good in Canada. I might trade the cotton ones with Madhu because they’re not as pretty for her cheaper and older, but nicer looking, ones.
3 comments:
You go girl!
We are all settled in the house now! Can't wait for you to come home!
Haha, great! I had a dream about visiting your new place- looking forward to it!
Sounds like you are doing great work, Angela. I remember returning to Colombo after we'd driven around the other areas and it was strange to think it seemed so familiar - like returning "home"! Even the people at the hotel greeted us like old friends.
Take care and keep well.
Ayubowan!
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