The Philippines trip to the island of Mindanao has been postponed several times for different reasons. The lasted was that, in December, this area was devastated by a tornado - you can read more on www.rotary-eclub-greatersydney.org and at www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au. The island also has a reputation for being dangerous, but this doesn't really apply to the northern area, where we would be stationed. However, this reputation is likely to make many of our teachers nervous about signing up for this trip. However, we have been offered a stay at a beautiful resort, owned by an Australian. By all reports from other Sydney Rotarians who have visited this resort, this would be a wonderful trip and we would be very well looked after by the local Rotarians. We are still considering this for September 2012.
This on again off again project- is on again! and looking good this time. We have just had Rotarians return from Gingoo in Northern Mindanao and they had a wonderful experience. They describe the place being like a Philippine Bali and the Rotary club there has everything set to go for a Sewaid program, with excellent accommodation and support. Teachers that are interested in this project either March 25/April 5th or later in the year in August, please let me know. We will lock away one of these dates shortly. This will be a great adventure.
Unfortunately the program in Southern Philippines is proving to be something different than what we expected. It now appears that many of the women selected for the program can in fact sew quite well , some of them having worked for tailors etc. It appears now that their main aim is to open a shop where they can sell the articles they have made and take in alterations etc. Some sewing would be done at the shop and then also supported by ladies at home. So mainly they are looking for help to secure sewing machines which would be domestic machines for the ladies sewing at home and industrial machines in the shop. To set up such a shop is quite an undertaking- and if we sent volunteers to help set with this, it would have to be people with experience in this area.
So I have asked for them to give me a business plan where I can see the cost of manufacturing the articles they plan to sell, and to ensure they can be sold at a profit - given that China made clothing in the Philippines is extremely cheap to buy. Currently I am waiting on a reply.
Firstly we will be going to the Southern area of the Philippines, in a very pretty area on by the sea. This project is to train locals how to sew and make items to be sold in the shop they hope to set up in the town. This project will involve some industrial machines and a good deal of clothing construction tuition as well as business management.
We have very good support for this program from the Women's organisation there which is conducting this program as well as from the local Rotary club there. It is a little different in that while the people are poor and struggling it is not a 3rd World area and our accommodation is more like 4 star - and not like we are used to in other countries. There is also a 3 day holiday planned as part for the program. However it will be an all up cost of between $1,500 and $1,800 per person. We are not sure at this stage if this will be in March or later in the year. More information soon, but please register if you are interested.
Philippines accommodation interior photo
Philippines accommodation exterior shot
If you are interested in being a volunteer teacher for our 2011 program, please register on the Volunteer Teachers page.
We have been requested to run a Sewaid program in Philippines this year. The brief details of these trips are as follows with more information available soon.
This program will be in an area a few hours North of Manila where the Volcano eruption some years ago destroyed all the land and villages which are still trying to re-establish themselves.
This program will be very strongly supported by the local Philippines Rotary Clubs and we can rely on very good on ground support for this project.
Accommodation and food arrangement should be excellent.
Again we would expect to teach about 10 to 15 women to make clothing and other items which they could then sell for a small income. Further details are not yet available. Again we would expect to send a team of 3 to 5 teachers.
The date for this program could be November 2010, and the all up cost somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 at this stage.
If you are interested in joining either of these tours as a volunteer, please let us know either by email via info@sewaid.com or by calling our director Tony Castley on 0414 801 888.
Alternatively please fill in and submit the volunteer information form, found under the Volunteer Teachers section.
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