Salvacion Garbags: Filipino mothers' livelihood project

Who we are

We are the Brgy. Salvacion Mothers' Society, a non-profit organization in Sto. Domingo, Philippines (the nearest city and airport is Legaspi City, map). We are the mothers of a small fishing and farming community. Our community was heavily damaged in 2006 by super typhoon Reming. We formed an organization and started Salvacion Garbags as a way to help our families after the catastrophic event. Since then, we have continued to design and create fashionable products out of recycled materials.

100 percent of the profits from sales go to our families and our growing small business. Since 2006, income from this project has helped us repair the damage from typhoons, send children to school, feed our families, gradually improve our houses, and more.

Our organization is a community organization with a focus on health, nutrition and child welfare--we sponsor the neighborhood preschool and we often work with volunteers to sponsor (and attend) nutrition seminars, business management workshops, computer trainings, and more.

What are the goals of your livelihood project?

We have four major goals for our Garbags recycled handicraft products:

1. to boost our families' incomes
2. to recycle and reuse materials that would otherwise be thrown away as non-biodegradable trash
3. to empower ourselves and become active participants in providing for our families
4. to enable ourselves to manage a small business and become successful entrepreneurs

How can I learn more about the organization and livelihood project?

If you are interested in learning more about us, please visit our website. For a detailed account of our history, please visit this page.

What we need

We've carefully planned and budgeted. Here is a simplified version of what we need to expand and improve our business:

• $5500 to repair our workroom, add metal grills to the windows, buy needed furniture, and install cabinets
• $1250 to buy a laptop, multi-purpose professional printer and ink, digital camera, and internet access at a local net cafe (internet is not readily available in our small neighborhood so we have to trek into town to check on email orders)
• $750 to buy or upgrade materials and supplies (labels, zippers, snap closure machine, a drafting table, etc.)
• $200 to buy a business-only cell phone for communication with buyers and supply vendors (including a year's worth of pre-paid credit for the cell phone)
• $300 to sponsor trips to Manila to buy materials we can't obtain in our province and to promote our Garbags at product bazaars

How will these funds benefit the livelihood project?

The room repairs and upgraded supplies will allow for better working conditions. The new materials will allow for higher quality products and more creative freedom. The electronics will allow us to fully expand to an online shop and to better communicate with our customers. The trips will allow us to obtain better supplies and to better promote our products within the Philippines.

What happens if you don't reach your full funding goal?

We will use the raised money to complete as much of our project as possible and we will look for other sources of funding for the remaining things we need.

What you get

First and foremost, you will have the knowledge that you are supporting a project that is both environmentally AND socially responsible. By donating and toting a Garbags product, you are directly helping poor Filipino families and you are helping to combat a growing solid waste management problem in the Philippines.

For perks 'apat' through 'pito', what colors and patterns will I receive?

If you claim perks 'apat', 'lima', 'anum', or 'pito', you will receive a random color and pattern on your product. You may indicate a preferred color scheme if you wish. There is, however, NO GUARANTEE that you will receive the requested color. It all depends on availability.

What do I need to know about perk 'siyam'?

Stay, with up to three of your friends or family, for one night at the beautiful private beach house of a prominent community member of Sto. Domingo. This is an incredible opportunity to go where tourists normally do not go and to experience everyday Filipino life. The beach house has a gorgeous view of Mayon volcano looming over the water and the stay includes a breakfast and one healthy Filipino home-cooked lunch or dinner.

You will meet the women of the Barangay Salvacion Mothers' Society and their children and have one custom order made in front of you. You will become acquainted with the Garbags livelihood project and learn more about the non-profit work that is being done in the Bicol region. You can also see a Garbags product custom made!

Please keep in mind that transportation costs to the Philippines and to Legaspi (where there is an airport) are NOT INCLUDED with this prize. We will provide transportation from Legaspi to Salvacion, Sto. Domingo and provide thorough tips for travel in the region. Again, please contact us to confirm date availability before you claim this perk.

As with most of the other perks, you will receive a personally signed postcard with printed drawing and your name will also be listed on the website.

Miscellaneous

What else can I do to help?

You can also 'Like' us on Facebook to follow us as our business progresses. We would appreciate it if you could share our products and our campaign to your friends and family. Mabalos po! (Thank you!)