Monday 26 May 2008

Charities, Innovation, Collaboration

We are all increasingly being called on to support various causes, sometimes it is issues we don't know much about nor necessarily care about and often these issues or even people are in far away lands that we have never met or hope to ever meet.

However the people asking us to provide financial assistance maybe ones we like and care for so we do our best to support them in their causes. It has however become near impossible to decide which cause deserves our support.

This increase in causes that deserve our financial support has meant that only those charities that are creative and are able to innovate may be the ones that survive. The large national and multinational charities have already done so and in part built up large reserves through activities such as having High street shops etc.

The smaller charities are catching up too and one of these is the http://www.africanrevival.org/

On Friday 23 May 2008, they held an art exhibition in a home of one their supporters in Oxhsott to raise money for children in Northern Uganda.

What was unique about this event was that the guests were not necessarily required to donate money into a tin towards the cause, in fact they were given a goody bag to take away simply for showing up.

Instead a prominent Art dealer, Artist and Ethnic Supplies were invited to display their work for the guests to view and buy. In return these businesses were to donate a percentage of their profits on the day towards the charity.

This created a win, win situation for the participating businesses, (more customers than they would perhaps not find themselves in one day) the guests, (support people in a far away place and whom they will never get to meet, and in turn get something for their money)and the charity (more donations and they could have otherwise got by say standing on a street corner with a collection tin!

Is this a sign of things to come? Have you got other examples that have worked really well for all concerned?

Friday 23 May 2008

African Summer fashion accessories from Ethnic Supplies Part 2







Handmade fashion accessories and accessories from East Africa promoting financial independence for Africa women


As you plan your Summer Wardrobe, we at Ethic Supplies, would like to draw your attention to our stylish and ethically produced baskets. These handmade baskets are made of palm and wrapped in raw silk, that is hand collected in Madagascar woodlands by Malagasy women.

I hope you will agree with us when we say that Madame Henriette and her team of 10 men have done a fabulous job with these baskets. The baskets are practical as well as stylish!




Wednesday 21 May 2008

African Summer fashion accessories from Ethnic Supplies Part 1



The summer holidays are nearly upon us and you have probably booked your two weeks in the sun by now! Naturally you will be thinking about your wardrobe next and are we!

One item that we think you can't possibly leave behind is a straw hat! Our hats here at Ethnic Supplies are simply amazing. The hats are hand crafted by our female producers in Madagascar from the finest Raffia. This makes them easy to fold so that you can put them away in a beach bag/ suitcase. And the best part is however many times you fold the hats they do not lose their shape!

Sunday 18 May 2008

Springing into Action

We are nearly half way through May and a busy start to the month. It's also been a time of mixed blessings. Following my participation at the Guildford Business event, I was approached to participate in an upcoming summer school event aimed at youngsters about to leave college. This is a very exciting prospect for me.

On Monday 12 May 2008, I joined the good folk at Guildford Mukono link at their Annual General Meeting. It was touching to see so many people doing their bit to support those less fortunate than they are in a land so far away from them. http://www.guildford-uganda.com/. I was honoured to be part of this event as my late father did a lot of work in this district.

On Wednesday 14 May 2008 the ladies at Elmbridge Women in Business (EWIB)were introduced to our products and it was a pleasure note how well the products were received.

On the downside I had hoped to get a few products into Harrods and Chester zoo having got very good initial feedback, sadly this all fell through. This was disappointing news indeed.

There was a new development too at http://www.lethemhelpthemselves.com/ as a decision was reached to register the initiative as a Charity. Two members of EWIB offered their services for us to auction at the event in October.


Elsewhere I met up with the ladies at http://www.surreywomensenterprise.co.uk/ met up to review where we are with the upcoming Summer event. This was a useful meeting indeed as it transpired that other group members have had similar struggles to mine.

And finally I got hold of someone that is willing to take on my book project!