Monday 5 April 2010

Furnishing Shops

Caroline Brouwer

Last week we dealt with the furnishing of two small shops. A shop is placed in the school (frequented by many foreign visitors), the other is placed in the office of The People Improvement Organization. Thanks to the many donations from our friends we were able to buy beautiful showcases and new materials for the workshop. We want to thank everyone who has supported us with their financial contributions. Without this support, we could never have supported People Improvement Organisation in setting up both shops in Phnom Penh. We consider your support as a positive affirmation of our mission and activities of The Cambodian project. For us, this support is a tremendous encouragement to continue with the important work of The Cambodian Project and People Improvement Organisation.

The purchase of the display cases was a real challenge! I'm being considered as a tourist by the Cambodians, as I'm a westerner and don't master the Khmer language yet! Which results in a disadvantage while negociating prices with different suppliers. I have visited several wholesalers to get and idea on how expensive the showcases would be and to determine where I could get the best price. I gathered enough information to take action, but decided to leave the final deal making to Sreyla. As she is from Phnom Penh, she has far more influence on a positive outcome of any negotiation! Finally, we managed to purchase the display cases for almost half the price.

Together with the students of the workshop, we have furnished the display cases in the shops. The students now realize that they have achieved something to be very proud of. At least it feels like that to me. As they see their work in the display cases and sales are actually now initiated, there is a sense of: "Look everyone, these are the necklaces I made!". This obviously gives a lot of confidence. Even at school they are proud to show other students what they have manufactured during the past weeks. As a result, other students become highly motivated to participate in our workshop as well!

Sales lists are made, prices are set, the necklaces and scarves are beautifully displayed, the packaging with beautiful ribbon are there! And so it becomes a real joy to buy our jewelry at the newly furnished shops!

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Third Week

Carolien Brouwer

It's becoming more fun to teach in the workshop. I have much more confidence then before being in the classroom. The students and I work together more closely and the mutual trust grows every new day.

As usual, the students are waiting for me at 12.30 PM. First I receive big hugs. Also at the end of the day, I regularly receive firm hugs from the students before they head back home. Recently Seynet, as she walked out of the classroom, came back to me for a big hug. While walking away, she turns around and shouts: "I love you teacher!". To be honest, this keeps me truly motivated.

During the first week the students made necklaces using various examples which I provided to them. These necklaces will be up for sale in our shop located in the People Improvement Organization building. During the second week, I noticed that the group learns quickly and is able to create their own design. It doesn't matter whether it's a good or a bad design. It is important that they learn to apply their creativity and thus come up with different color combinations for the necklace.

This week was fun! There were many properly designed necklaces being crafted by the students. At the end of the second week we examined, evaluated and graded all necklaces based on used material, colors and finish. The program schedule shows that the students will have to start making scarves by end of next week. But we have decided to spend an extra week and continue the making of necklaces as my pupils are really in a true 'flow'now.

I have started to explain the use of a simple business model during the third week. To make it more relevant to the students, I have replaced 'business' by 'shop'. Together with Robert, I have developed a model that serves as a powerful tool in teaching the students the basic theory on how to run a shop. The model gives a clear overview of the main activities and topics (e.g. customers, suppliers and sales). I believe it will help them to start thinking about which type of shop they would like to manage in the future. To make it even more tangible, we visited the Russian Market in Phnom Penh and I provided them with different assignments. Obviously, the students enjoyed the trip to the market. I do hope that the lessons learned will stick to the final exam in April.