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Project OKURASE To Start a Sewing Program
May 18, 2009
Thanks to a partnership of Pedals for Progress, Joey Penman, Rhion Magee, and Project OKURASE, women in Okurase will be sewing and earning a living and Project OKURASE will start our second job training program.
Pedals for Progress (www.p4p.org) is a New Jersey-based nonprofit that is the world's largest recycler of used bicycles. Pedals for Progress has received, processed and donated over 115,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries. In addition, they have built schools and saved lives. International Operations manager Dave Schweidenback pdls4@comcast.net recently met via teleconference with Cindy and Powerful and has donated 10 sewing machines to Project OKURASE. The machines are in Accra (the capital city) waiting for pick-up. However, money was needed to help with the transport costs. This is where Joey Penman came in. She made a donation to Project OKURASE that was the exact amount needed to cover the transport costs. Sewing machines are on their way to Okurase. Village women are on their way to making clothing and Project OKURASE merchandise that will further fund the centre. The women will be paid fair trade for their work and the profits from selling their merchandise via Project OKURASE will help fund the centre. The women in Okurase will be working closely with Rhion Magee, our product designer in Los Angeles. Rhion is developing designs for Project OKURASE such as recycled market bags, clothing and other items. Women in Okurase will sew according to the designs. Then Rhion and Project OKURASE will market the products.
Many thanks to Pedals for Progress, David Schweidenback, Joey Penman, and Rhion Magee for helping empower women in Ghana! This partnership is a great example of the united link unity is strength together we can make it happen.
More sewing machines are promised as we continue this great partnership with Pedals for Progress. Pedals for Progress welcomes donations of bicycles and sewing machines.
