The Strength from Within.
The Women’s Support group is a small sewing enterprise who hold the skills to grow a sustainable business, aiming to support their futures. These women create toys, clothes and home decor for retail sale, wholesale and business design production. Their range of products are handmade of the highest quality and craftsmanship. The unique colours and styles will bring beauty and creativity into the homes and lives of children worldwide.
Comprising of 17 women from the Phnom Penh district and surrounding areas of Cambodia, this group has been established on the concept of a work community which provides for self-help. It accommodates not only social reintegration, but provides an environment in which women may share their experiences, ambitions, dreams and concerns so as to encourage the resurrection of their dignity, self-esteem and hope. They are strong. They are determined. They are working towards building their own futures through trade with clients and their business opportunities that the women value and respect.
Women with a shared history.
identified AS women subject to vulnerable situations, these women came together through vocational training to learn life long skills and create their own future pathways.
The women who make up the CWSG were originally connected through their involvement in a vocation training program at Nyemo Cambodia NGO. The group focused on teaching the art of sewing and crafting to gain viable employment and teaching lifeskill. The Nyemo program identified these women as being subject to vulnerable situations, including those living with significant health issues such as HIV/AIDs, unsafe home environments or family breakdowns.
After receiving support from Nyemo Cambodia for nearly 10 years, the women established the capacity to produce the handicraft products within their own community. They graduated from Vocational Training at Nyemo Cambodia NGO and were thus empowered to manage their own resources whilst still working under the umbrella of Nyemo. They developed their skills and talents to create new designs of toys for children, for interior decoration and for gifts. Yet since, the closure of Nyemo in 2014, the women who now make up the Cambodia Women Support Groups have met many challenges to find the local and international market for their products, nor could they be placed with other established support programs or find other viable employment options for their talented sewing skills.
Following much hardship and difficulty experienced, 17 of these women joined together in 2015 to request the guidance from a trusted friend and who acted as a board member of Nyemo Cambodia prior to 2014. With this support, the women have been able to set up the support group. With Kanary's help they have been encouraged and motivated to find other customers outside of those tied with Nyemo Cambodia. In doing so they strive to make more income and become independent in the future.
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I hope I can get regular order from the buyers in order I can have the money to support my 3 children to go to school.
/ Sokleang - CWSG member /
Support for the Women.
Coming together provides these women with support. personal growth becomes an underpinning strength for the group. being part of this group is a way forward. .
There are many benefits that have come with working in the Women Support Group.
- The women can work and earn income together in a common space or work within their homes to ensure they can care for their young children and earn an income.
- The product order from the clients are divided in equally balance to ensure each member receives equal support
- The member can fill up the weakness points of each other
- No stigma, no discrimination (eg no discriminate on HIV/AIDS status or single mothers), they will avoid from loneliness.
- Have friends to discuss and exchange good experiences
- Support each other emotionally