Teamwork

Teamwork

 5th Mar 2018 |  From The Heart Of... |  Fritha Mason


We recently heard an interesting programme on the radio about Empowerment Programmes in India and Africa. The programme highlighted some of the very positive effects of these programmes but exposed that in some cases the women are overburdened with the training and work they receive. We were sad to learn that sometimes, in order to get the work done, the women get their children to help them, and sometimes miss school as a result. Our primary goal is to enable the women we work with to earn a living and enable them to send their children to school. We want them to be able to make the best choices for themselves and their families.

Our Makers work together in groups, originally organised into self-help groups by local NGOs, but we prefer the term ‘Maker Groups’. A cluster of Maker Groups are known as a Maker Network. We have 5 Maker Networks in 5 different states in India. Teamwork underpins both their training and production of Secret Projects products. In Bangalore one of the women who has more advanced sewing skills and experience has rented a space in which she trains new members of the team. She also supports existing members to refine and perfect their techniques. In turn, the women she supports give her a share of what they receive for the products they make. In Tamil Nadu one of the women shares her sewing machine with other members of the group so that they can also stitch Secret Pillows and generate an income. In Kerala one of the women, nominated by her group as their leader, quality controls the products and spots any loose threads or imperfections so that they can be corrected before they are shipped to Bangalore, where our stock is held.

When we deliver training sessions we are always delighted to see how the women collaborate and help each other to complete the product they are learning to make: scarves, bags with zips (zips are very tricky to insert!), the Secret Sari Dress, Secret Pillows. They give each other positive support and advice, hold fabric in place while the other cuts it, praise each other as they completed the product and admired it in their hands. When we trained the Peace Valley Maker Network in September 2017 we all gave Angel Sherin a big round of applause as she modelled, in true catwalk model style, the Secret Sari Dress she had just completed!

The teamwork we see among the women we work with contributes significantly towards their feeling of empowerment. It is hugely confidence-building to share knowledge or a skill with someone. It is enormously satisfying to know that you have helped someone in their development. It is extremely rewarding to be recognised by your peers as a leader and someone they put their trust in.

The women we work with work together, at times that suit them, and with no production pressures or deadlines from us. They organise themselves as a collective in a way which suits them best. Genuine friendships stem from the teamwork, respect and support they show each other. They have taught us a lot about teamwork and how working together and collaboratively, as opposed to rushing to finish first, or jostle to take the lead, usually brings about the best results.

Learn more about our POWER mantra which is a key part of our training by clicking here!

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Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Our latest range is for our four-legged friends! Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog range for pets! Pets love scraps and so do we! Made from the . . . scrap pieces of fabric left over from production of our other collections, we knew that our latest range for pets would go down a storm with pets and their owners alike! Although the bandannas are perhaps more appreciated by the owners than their furry companion, every dog will just love that each bandana comes with a matching treat bag - and all pet lovers know just how important treats are! Very handily, our little bags have a secure drawstring, so treats stay safely inside whilst out on a walk. Cuteness aside, (and this range is so cute...) our Dig Dog range is made for us by our Makers (the name we give to the women who lovingly stitch our products) and each woman is paid a fair wage for her skills and is able to use the money she earns with us to support herself, her children and her family. So, your pet is responsible for empowering women economically! Woof! The Dig Dog range is available in a range of sizes and pattern and colours - so you can be sure to find something that is perfect for your pooch! Click here to view the full collection.   Image: Coco and Biscuit resplendent in their Dig Dog range bandannas!      
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Our first destash!

Our first destash!

What to do on a rainy Sunday? Hold our very first destash! You may be asking what a destash is?  In short, it's a call out to people to go through old . . . sewing supplies and fabric etc. and donate it to a good cause. With that good cause being Secret Projects! We set up in the Pulborough Village Hall (which is close to where our Business Unit is), and, through various advertising methods, the word had spread and we were delighted to welcome scores of people who came along with their very gratefully received donations. Donations weren't just brought in on the day, we had parcels sent to us and others dropped supplies round to our CEO's house in Pulborough ahead of the official destash day. In total we collected 325 kilos of delici0us pre-loved sewing supplies. Much of the fabric donated has been sorted and will be made up into our ever popular and best selling scrap packs available through our eBay and Etsy Stores. In fact, we now have over 30 different scrap packs to purchase and more will be added, so do keep visiting our stores. We are still taking donations and if you do have any fabric or pre-loved sewing supplies, please do get in touch via fritha@secretprojects.org And of course the most enormous thank you everyone who donated to, and also helped us run our very first destash! More to come! Let's hear it for destashing!   Image: offering a cup of tea to all who came along to the destash was one way of us saying a big thank you.
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We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We can make such good use of your pre-loved sewing supplies We have added various items of pre-loved sewing supplies to our online stores, including . . . scrap fabrics and buttons for the past few years and it has developed into a small but very good source of income for our Community Benefit Society. The pre-loved sewing supplies market is only getting stronger and is something we are keen to develop and grow and are therefore putting out an 'ask' to our customers and supporters (and of course, anyone else who reads this!) for your old sewing items. We would LOVE them! Ideas for sewing supplies donations! From scrap fabric, to buttons, to pins, to needles, to embroidery equipment, we would adore to talk to you about what you have. Sewing items can often have sentimental value - in fact, our Comms Manager, Margaret was just telling us about a pin cushion she has of her mother's that she could only give away to someone who would really appreciate, and make good use of. Maybe this has resonated with you. So, if you do have sewing supplies you would like to donate, please email Fritha Vincent Mason at: fritha@secretprojects.org. We would just LOVE your pre-loved sewing supplies!  
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