Funding for Crafts Workshop

Here’s an update on the funding request that I had put forward in my September 25th blog  ….  We got full funding!!!  Thank you to all who were kind and generous in their contributions to this unique project.  You are my best supporters and what I achieve here in Moldova is spurred by not only your financial support, but just as much by your moral and emotional support.  You have no idea!

Some of our beneficiaries outside the Singerei residential
center for disabled people which will house one workshop

Part of their training includes
entrepreneurship education should
they want to start their own business

The project’s purpose is to develop vocational skills in people with special needs, and launch them in their new craft work by employing them in a special workshop.  The grant will fund custom equipment and supplies specific for their crafts.  The beneficiaries will be able to hone their skills and their products will be sold in the local markets earning them some independent income.  The ultimate goal is to sustain this process with a continued flow of people with disabilities who will acquire marketable vocational skills and secure employment in similar workshops and/or establish their own small businesses within their villages.  This pilot project is well on its way towards achieving the first graduating class of ABLED students!  The crafts workshop is expected to open around January/February time frame.

Working in groups to develop business ideas while
also training them to work together in teams

As part of the training, each beneficiary is given an aptitude test to determine where his/her skills, talents, and interests lie.  Then the counselor can assist them to select the appropriate vocations that would build on their strengths, and suit their abilities and interests.  Altogether during this pilot project, we've had 60 people with disabilities go through the program at two different Centers, one in Singerei (Dezdna pictured here) and one in Balti.  For the craft workshops, we expect about 18 of those will proceed with apprenticeships there.

Forum of leaders from the community
coalescing to forge the project plan

Early on, our project had buy-in from a number of stakeholders with a vested interest in a successful outcome from this initiative.  They ranged from city halls of various affected towns, municipal agencies, local employment development agencies, other NGOs associated with social services for the disabled, and even local employers.  They all recognize that it is to the benefit of society at large to be able to afford a means of livelihood for people with disabilities so they can add to economic growth in their communities.

I will periodically post on this blog information on our progress over the next several months.  Thanks again for all you do to help me be a more effective volunteer here in Moldova!  It's impossible for me to do this work without you!

Barbara
2 December 2014