NEWBOLD BAPTIST CHURCH WEB SITE

Since we first visited Arad in Romania in 2003, a whole host of opportunities to up the profile of the charity and raise some cash have presented themselves. 

We were keen to create a continuous income for the charity, so we came up with the idea of making our own greeting cards to sell.  I had never made a card before in my life, and we had a few dubious attempts and some very supportive friends and relatives.  I put a box of cards on my desk at work and word soon spread so we took orders and were a great supplier of the last minute birthday card.  Card making turned into a great hobby and an income earner for Networks, Romania.  In fact we were victims of our own success and struggled to keep up with demand!

Little did we know that in the meantime, the volunteers at Networks were thinking about fair trade type projects that would help some of the most vulnerable members of the community.  Their mums and baby centre was growing, bringing in mums who previously lived on the streets to a place where they could look after their children in a safe environment.  They would be taught domestic skills and good parenting.  These ladies had no income, no luxury of a welfare system that would contribute towards nappies and baby essentials and often not the best upbringing to pass onto their new generation. 

The volunteers started working slowly with 4 ladies on a programme to teach them some basic skills, ones which most of us take for granted when we learn at school.  Skills like holding a pencil, using scissors and paying attention to detail were new concepts that had to be learnt, but after a careful training programme, the ladies were able to start making greetings cards of their own.  The practices continued for a few months.  We visited the centre in Siria, Arad during these first few months to take craft equipment that isn’t available in Romania and to talk through some ideas of cards that would be suitable for the English market 

The first Christmas Cards arrived in the UK and were just great.  The ladies had obviously worked very hard and had come up with some amazing designs.  Best of all, they were able to complete their work whilst looking after their children.  They gained a wage per card taking into account quality and quantity of the completed items. 

Our job in the UK now is more selling the cards.  This Christmas we have introduced the cards to a wider market by selling on eBay and found people across the UK who have been thrilled with the cards that have been truly made at the grassroots.

Not only is this project now employing 10 ladies who can make an honest, legal wage, it is also giving them self esteem and a feeling of belonging and achievement that they have never had invested in them before.  These ladies are blossoming in their new roles. 

If you would like to buy or would be willing to sell some hand made cards made by the ladies in Romania, please contact us on greetingscards@projectagape.org.uk

A selection of the Greetings cards can be viewed on the Project Agape website

Ruth