GrEen SeCreTs

We’ve all heard about the medical and pharmaceutical industry, and the gardening and landscaping industry, and even the education and training industry… but have you heard about the cottage industry?

What is the cottage industry? What do they do? Do they build cottages? What if I told you, that right here in Singapore, we have our very own cottage industry? Would you be surprised?

Day 3 of CYX is for the youths to explore the cottage industy in Singapore. Honestly, I have NEVER heard of the cottage industry prior to today, so it was definitely an eye-opener and an interesting day because I was learning just as much as the youths were =D

The cottage industry gives people who are underprivileged and/or handicapped the chance to support themselves and to contribute back to society. By allowing them to turn their hobbies and interests like sewing, weaving, and various other forms of arts and crafts into ways they can make money, these people are able to live their life meaningfully, independently, and are now able to support themselves. With the help of Homespun, a company that reaches out to the cottage industries and bind them with local talents to create inspiring everyday objects, the people in the cottage industry are thriving. Basically, Homespun injects designs and ideas for products into the cottage industry, and the craftsmen in the industry (… who are underprivileged and/or handicapped) produce these products. Homespun also helps to create awareness, promote and sell the products. Ultimately, Homespun aims to be the platform for Asian designers to showcase their works of creations.

By exposing the youths to the cottage industry, we hope to allow them to understand the concept of the cottage industry and exactly how the industry works. To take us through the day, we had with us the spunky, funky and cheerful Catherine, founder of Homespun, and her food-loving sidekick Didier, a local designer. Catherine is one of the leading driving force in the cottage industry in Singapore, and Didier’s recycled material product ideas is, in my opinion, one of the BEST I have ever come across. Honestly, I am totally impressed with her creations and masterpieces! More on that later though…

First stop for today, Catherine and Didier brought all of us to the Silra Home. The SILRA Home was founded in 1971 and it is committed to improving the lives of ex-leprosy victims in Singapore through providing them with a home, basic care and love. The ex-leprosy victims contribute to the cottage industry by making handicraft projects, doing sewing, making rattan baskets, and growing bonsai plants.

Next stop… the Girls’ Brigade.

Now, most of us, I’m sure, have heard about the Girls’ Brigade before, and some of us probably had this uniform group in their secondary school. But do you really know what they do?

The Girls’ Brigade Singapore is a non-profit, non-political, international and inter-denominational Christian organization established in Singapore since 1927. Over the years, the Girls’ Brigade Singapore has touched the lives of many and contributed to society and to the nation.

At this stop, the youths were introduced to VillageWorks™. VillageWorks™ was conceived by the Girls’ Brigade Singapore for the purpose of creating employment and providing skills and livelihood to women and young people in third world countries where the Girls’ Brigade Singapore has pioneering work. VillageWorks first started in a small village in the Baray District of Kampong Thom Province Cambodia in 2001. Today, the people in Cambodia still continue to produce handmade products that are sold worldwide.

Back on the bus, on our way to the Metta School, Didier and Catherine announced the task for the day…

Green Challenge #4: Flower Making With Recycled Materials

For the remainder of today, the youths have to keep their eyes peeled and on the lookout. For what? For materials they can recycle and use to make a stalk of flower, or anything relating to flowers and plants. The only material that Didier is providing them with is green wire, scissors and beads. Any other materials they need will have to be obtained by some other means =) Their creations will be shown later… you’ld be amazed with what these youths can do, turning nothing into somthing (… a concept they learnt from Brian) =D

*Bus Stops*

We are at our 3rd stop of the day now… The Metta School.

The Metta School first opened its door to pupils of varied racial and religious backgrounds on 15 January 2001. Metta School provides special education to pupils between the ages of 6 and 18 years old with mild intellectual disability and autism and an IQ range of 50 to 70. The school prepares students 3-6 years old for entering mainstream schools. Students 7-18 years old are taught academic subjects and vocational skills to prepare them to be adults in the working world.

Having too many colours tend to confuse children with autism. As such, the school is painted mainly in one colour… yellow.

 

The students are also encouraged to take up after-school activities.

They will stay back twice a week and be engaged in these club activities.

Above, we see a class of students making clay sculptures =)

 

After a tour of the school… it was LUNCH TIME!! =D

 

 

This is Happy Arts Deli,

a vegetarian eating place located at the Metta School.

The Happy Arts Deli was set up to allow students that specialise in cooking and baking to get hands-on working experience. Their students work alongside full-time F&B staff, and are guided by them patiently. By providing such vocational training and attachment opportunities for their students, the Metta School hopes that one day, their students will be able to support themselves.

After lunch, it’s time for a little exercise at the Simei Care Centre =P Time for these youths to climb some stairs…

 

 

What’s up there?

 

The Homespun office is located at the 3rd level of the Simei Care Centre…

 

 

There, Catherine explained Homespun’s business model to the youths.

In the office, there was a collection of the various products the cottage industry has produced. The things they were able to create out of recycled materials amazed me.

 

Here is one of Didier’s creations…

A lamp made from plastic bottles.

 

 

 

Heading back downstairs…

SHOPPING!!! ^_^ =D =P … with a good cause too!! =)

On the first level of the Simei Care Centre is a retail store. Felicia, owner of Something New Something Old, opened this store to sells items that people donate. She has EVERYTHING, from clothes, to books, to magazines, to shoes, accessories, and even carpets and umbrellas! All proceeds go back to helping the ex-mental patients at the Simei Care Centre.

Do you have a better understanding of what the cottage industry is about now?

Well… if not, don’t worry about it… we have one more place to visit.

 

The Henderson Community Club.

Mothers from low income families gather at the Henderson CC frequently to work on art projects. The products they make are sold, and all proceeds go back to them to help supplement their family income. Coincidentally, the mothers are working on making cloth flowers, which is similar to what the youths have to accomplish for Green Challenge #4.

At Henderson CC, the youths were given about 45 minutes to complete their challenge. At the end of that, they did a presentation on the significance of their flower and what it represents to them.

On the behalf of the youths, thank you Catherine and Didier for taking us around today, and for showing us some of the homes and centres in the cottage industry =) We have learnt alot from you, and your ideas and creations have inspired us all ^_^