Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Residents learn to make bags, earn from used paper
Several residents of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.(PLDT)-Smart Amazing Gawad Kalinga Village in Barangay Bud-laan, Cebu City recently learned a new skill that would give them an opportunity to earn more and become entrepreneurs.
Dried fish dealer Riza Atamoza, rattan factory worker Nestor Limana, costume jewelry maker Sheila Bayucot and homemakers Elena Buena and Sol Archival recently attended the Bags For Life workshop by designer and weaver Lulu Ocampo.
Fourteen years ago, Ocampo began making and designing woven paper bags that are surprisingly sturdy and stylish.
She applied the craft of weaving paper bags as a therapeutic intervention for patients at the National Mental Health Institute (NMHI) in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
Recovering patients appreciated the new skill as these unique bags were becoming increasingly popular among retailers.
Success
Encouraged by the success with NMHI patients, Ocampo began teaching Smokey Mountain residents.
Under the auspices of the Sambayanan ng Muling Pagkabuhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative, 70 women were initially recruited for the training program. The trainees in turn taught the skill to other residents. The bags they make are now being sold all over Metro Manila.
Residents of the PLDT-Smart Amazing Gawad Kalinga Village hope to replicate this success.
The five residents were chosen for their commitment to learn and to pass on what they know to others.
“Ang gitan-aw jud kay kung kinsa ang mo-attend sa tibuok workshop. Wa jud absent-absent. Kami sad nga napilian, naningkamot nga mokat-on ug unya motudlo sa among mga kauban sa Gawad Kalinga. Gi-sponsor ra ba mi,” said Archival.
(They chose those who committed to participate and to show up at the workshop venue every day. Hence, we made every effort to learn because we were now responsible for teaching the skill to other Gawad Kalinga beneficiaries and we didn’t want to disappoint our sponsor.)
Their participation in the workshop was sponsored by Smart Communications. ((PR)
