The local community is quite a treasure to respect and support. Below is a summer of a small community project that models such respect and support through its efforts to recycle unwanted materials for the benefit of producing work, income, and educational opportunities for another less fortunate community. Families of Haiti are greatly benefiting from the efforts of a generous and ambitious local woman and some of her family and friends who volunteer to help in the same cause. Each volunteer adds his or her own strengths to this community-improving project called The Denim Project. Visit The Denim Project website for more information.
Community Heritage Study |
The Denim Project: Summary |
Activities
The Denim Project performs most of its work in Haiti; however, preparatory work is done in Rock Rapids, Iowa right from Lori’s home. Every Wednesday volunteers meet from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM to process the denim for project making (L. Poppinga, personal communication, January 29, 2015). Each time a volunteer travels to Haiti, as much fabric and supplies as possible gets transported overseas in luggage. Once in the village, volunteers and donated supplies go to very good use:
· Job skills training. Women learn to sew products like the bag and scarf in Figure 1 from the upcycled materials. Projects are then sold on The Denim Project website, bringing profit into the families’ lives with which to purchase food and clothes or even an education.
· Education. Women are taught family care skills. They are also taught the basics of letters and numbers, how to write their children’s names and birthdays as well as their own, and how to read simple sentences. Some are even prepared for completion of a high school education.
· Entrepreneurial skills training. Some women are introduced to starting a business of their own within their community. They are taught how to create jobs based on an identified need within the village. They are also taught the different between done and done well.
The Denim Project performs most of its work in Haiti; however, preparatory work is done in Rock Rapids, Iowa right from Lori’s home. Every Wednesday volunteers meet from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM to process the denim for project making (L. Poppinga, personal communication, January 29, 2015). Each time a volunteer travels to Haiti, as much fabric and supplies as possible gets transported overseas in luggage. Once in the village, volunteers and donated supplies go to very good use:
· Job skills training. Women learn to sew products like the bag and scarf in Figure 1 from the upcycled materials. Projects are then sold on The Denim Project website, bringing profit into the families’ lives with which to purchase food and clothes or even an education.
· Education. Women are taught family care skills. They are also taught the basics of letters and numbers, how to write their children’s names and birthdays as well as their own, and how to read simple sentences. Some are even prepared for completion of a high school education.
· Entrepreneurial skills training. Some women are introduced to starting a business of their own within their community. They are taught how to create jobs based on an identified need within the village. They are also taught the different between done and done well.
Products
The Denim Project produces a number of handcrafted products. The key materials for these items are upcycled denim and donated fabrics of other types. With these recycled raw materials, the Haitian artisans can produce pennant banners, potholders, quilts, tag blankets (Figure 2), placemats, scarves, aprons, baby blankets, tapestry totes, and fabric messenger bags. These items as well as various levels of financial sponsorship are available on The Denim Project website. Proceeds from all sales go back to the Haitian families and help keep production thriving. |
Challenges
The main challenges for The Denim Project begin with getting supplies to the people who need them. Everything gets hauled overseas in personal luggage so weight and size are very big deals. Another challenge to overcome is a part of their culture; the Haitians put very low priority on time, efficiency, and quality. “The mommies have to be taught the difference between done and done well, and that’s if they even decide to come to work that day. But they’re learning” (L. Poppinga, personal communication, February 6, 2015).
The main challenges for The Denim Project begin with getting supplies to the people who need them. Everything gets hauled overseas in personal luggage so weight and size are very big deals. Another challenge to overcome is a part of their culture; the Haitians put very low priority on time, efficiency, and quality. “The mommies have to be taught the difference between done and done well, and that’s if they even decide to come to work that day. But they’re learning” (L. Poppinga, personal communication, February 6, 2015).
Rewards
To date The Denim Project employs five women, which is keeping thirteen children out of an orphanage. This is evidence that the project is reaching its primary goals. Another reward is seen in the success of a local woman, Viergela. She has earned enough income to purchase land for a home for her five children (Figure 3) and herself. A home costs another $4000 to build in Haiti, so there is still a lot of work to be done, but progress is happening (L. Poppinga, personal communication, February 6, 2015). |
Participation
There are a number of different roles a personal can play in The Denim Project. A donor would be the first level of help. A donor can make a one-time donation of money, make continued donations of denim and other supplies, or sponsor one of the special programs (toddler/infant/newborn or entrepreneur). Volunteering to help prepare the fabric is another manner in which to participate. There is a video on The Denim Project website and below on how to cut a pair of jeans properly for the artisans’ work. Finally, purchasing one of the handcrafted products would benefit both the consumer (you) and the producer (needy Haitian families). All of this can be done on the website for The Denim Project. |
Future Plans
Future artisan work will include recycled glass projects. Lori is working with a few local volunteers to develop some attractive, affordable glass projects that the Haitian entrepreneurs can produce and ship for potential consumers. Recycling glass will benefit the local artisans with a free resource with which to produce a new product. The new product will generate work and income for families. The community will also benefit from the recycling of glass because it will be coming out of the landfills that are already more than overflowing their boundaries. The Denim Project website will soon have these beautiful glass projects available for purchase. |
References
Poppinga, L. (2015). The denim project. Retrieved from http://denimproject.org
Author note. Thank you, Lori Poppinga, for beginning and sharing The Denim Project story and for giving each person his or her own avenue with which to participate in such a worthy cause.
Poppinga, L. (2015). The denim project. Retrieved from http://denimproject.org
Author note. Thank you, Lori Poppinga, for beginning and sharing The Denim Project story and for giving each person his or her own avenue with which to participate in such a worthy cause.
Denim donations can be sent to
704 S. 12th Ave Rock Rapids, IA 51246 |
Any other form of donation can be done on
The Denim Project donations website. |
How to Cut Jeans Youtube Video, The Denim Project, 2015