A stitch in time

A year ago, Brother donated three sewing machines to a village in Papua New Guinea as part of their collaboration with rainforest protection charity Cool Earth. [Insert name and job title] from Brother reflects on the past 12 months and the impact the donation has had on the partnership.

When we became aware a sewing group had been established in the PNG village of Gadaisu, we at Brother were very excited at the opportunity that lay before us. 

We already supported the village as part of our partnership with Cool Earth, and given our founding origins as a sewing machine manufacturer, it made perfect sense to help develop the JODAN group through donations of three new GS3700 home sewing machines.

The group, which was set up to teach young children how to sew as a life skill as well as to earn a living, were previously using old hand-powered machines as new ones were too expensive to buy.

The new machinery has enabled the group, all of whom are family, to become a fully-fledged business. Their product range now includes dresses, skirts, school uniforms and the colourful national dress for Papua New Guinea women, Meri blouses.

Group member Sheila Bai explains, “we like to make Meri blouses, skirts, shorts and trousers. Sometimes we make pillow cases and quilts.”

Demand in the community is high as the products sell out quickly, and one of the biggest successes to date is an order for 50 sets of robes for the annual pastors retreat in the village.

With a strong sense of family running through the group, profits from the sales are used to contribute towards school fees and medical costs. Group member Agnes Bai, said, “we share our profits but if there is a problem in the family, for example, if group member is sick or I cannot pay for my son to go to school, we all help to pay for that.”

The impact of Brother’s donation doesn’t stop there, as the JODAN sewing group gave one of their Brother devices to the new and nearby STALIE sewing cooperative.

Based in Wabumari, just one hour’s boat ride from JODAN’s base in Gadaisu, the group made the contribution in order to share their success with other communities.

The STALIE group consists of women of all ages with the older members playing a key role in training the younger women.

The group meets every Friday to create their current product range - curtains, pillowcases, skirts, Meri blouses and shorts - and each member sells their products individually, keeping their own profits. Cotton, needles and use of the machine is free and they pay a small fee for materials, which the group’s chairwoman Rita Kiddy buys in bulk.

Group member Ewai Lina said: “We always sell out of our clothes. People like the Meri blouses we make.” Commenting on the donation, she added: “The Brother power machine is preferred by everyone.”

As the group is still in its infancy, products are currently only sold within the local community, but as skills improve, they will sell the garments at markets.

To increase the growth of both sewing groups further, Cool Earth is planning bookkeeping and administration training, to help members track their profits more efficiently. Sewing courses are also being researched so their product range can be diversified.

How you can help

Through our partnership with Cool Earth, we have kept 4.3 million trees standing and protected 7,400 acres of critically endangered rainforest in Papua New Guinea and Peru since 2009, resulting in 2.1 million fewer tonnes of climate warming CO₂ in the atmosphere.

This achievement is thanks to our European customers who have used our free return and recycle scheme [insert local link]. Under our initiative, trees are protected in return for inkjet and toner cartridges that are received.

Ongoing support from our customers will help Cool Earth achieve its future aim of doubling community income and zero deforestation in Orangerie Bay by 2019, making life more positive and successful for the villagers.

ENDS

[Insert Brother colleague details]