The team from the KKG is currently managing funds given by The Foreign Affairs which were collected during l-Istrina of 2004 after the horrible natural disaster of teh Tsunami of December 2004.
KKG is giving this funds to CRUF [0] to set up a large livelihood development program for the unemployed victims to wrk in a Textile factory program to address this unemployment problem. CRUF is setting out a number of different product options in the Textile factory program and market the production to both existing customers in the Fair Trade family (since CRUF was founded by Gospel House [1] which is an IFAT [1] licienced fairtrade cooperative) and also to other commercial contacts that GH has built up. The Product lines would be fabric toys, accessories, bags, simple children's garments etc. This will create permanent employment under fair trade conditions for 85 women in the Tsunami area. Moreover, we will not just be giving them funds for a finite project but this project will help them get the financial ball rolling.
The land of the factory was bought on the 7the February 2006. It is in Meetiyagoda, 5km inland from Ambulangoda and about 7km from Balipitiya. It is near a little village and has buses from both Ambulangoda and Balipitiya frequently. It is also only 17km from Galle on a major road and so it allows them to have staff coming in from a large area of the South West, tsunami-affected area.
There is 2 - 21/2 acres of land which is good fertile land that had many beautiful established plants and trees - enough for the gardener to harvest to cover his own wages. It is in a slightly elevated aspect which means that it is cool and usually has a gentle breeze. Local area is quiet and rural.
On the site is an old guest house that could easily be adapted for use as a factory. The architect indicated that the building was in very good condition and would be adaptable to create more workspace, better toilets for staff etc.
Access is good enough for a container lorry and the main road down the west coast is only 4 km away down a road that is suitable for lorries.
The site bought for Rs 6 Million ($60,000 US). Additional land was also bought to widen driveway. Stamp duty paid RS 278,000. Fees paid to lawyer for work. The contractor paid the deposit for fence (17 feet high) around whole site plus gates. Expected cost Rs 1.5 million and the work is to be completed end July 2006. KKG is financing the work for the fence.
[1]There will also be a pre-school and training centre (on site but funded by other NGOs). Additional office and storage building (pre-fabricated) are being quoted for at present. Renovations to building planned: Architect finalising plans (see red walls on sketch). Expected to take 3 months. Total budget approx Rs 5 million Maltese money will pay for purchase of site, erection of fence and most of the building renovations. Production is expected to start by November with full production by January 2007.
[1]The name “Ralla” was adopted. This is the singhala word for “wave”. Enough of a link to the tsunami to be relevant but not the direct singhala word for tsunami so it is not a constant reminder to staff of the horror. The symbol chosen and the trade mark was registered.
CRUF has taken part in Market exposure program run by People Tree (Japanese fair trade business) to identify quality requirements and potential market niches. Machines required have been researched and they are currently pricing up import vs purchase locally. The first fliers have been sent to some of Gospel House Handicraft’s customers.
- Isabelle Zammit 17/07/2006