Actions Post SSE2

I am interested in seeing where my energy is placed at the moment. This may explain why I am a tad exhausted and a little less motivated.

My partner 60%
My work/White Circles. 20%
Creativity 5%
Family 5%
Health 8%
Fun 2%

How would I like this to look?

My partner 20%
Work/White Circles 30%
Health 10%
Family 15%
Fun 10%
Creativity 10%
Experimentation 5%

2012.
Women.
Making
and Progress.

This year, in Australia, I will be starting a a program with the Melbourne School for Social Entrepreneurs, which sounds like a lengthy, and possibly a bit swanky, but really, is a way to engage and enhance like minded people with a project like that of White Circles. I envisage challenges, networking, goals, transparency, honesty and progress. And I feel it is perfect timing for White Circles, and therefore Nangi Village.

I guess this will keep me local for a while. Not such a bad thing really, but I feel as though when the time comes, I will be itching to get to humble Nangi village.
The First question I want to ask with this program in mind is where do I see myself and White Circles in 12 months....

Greater commercial potential.
Clearer roles within the village.
More training in the village.
High, sustained and better quality of products.
An understanding of sales through the internet from Nangi Village.
My own Nepali language will progress.
Have ideas and basic plans to create a branch of White Circles in Australia.
Get other people to help out in various places.
Develop consistent packaging and a clear marketing theme.
Design a range for another outlet.
Diversify
Communicate.

Documentary screening 8th Feb

The 2nd screening of The High Road, a documentary following the journey of will take place at Gertrude's Brown Couch, Gertrude St Fitsroy.

Wednesday, February 8th @ 7pm.

Free entrance




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Location:Gertrudes brown couch

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Location:Fed square

Fair@square festival

I am writing this post the fairtrade event and feel a little disheartened by the lack of support out there for small businesses.
It is true that most businesses simply take time. But if would be nice to see some more collaboration, or even sponsorship from bigger partners for an event such as the fair@square festival that advocates fair-trade and sustainability. All good things at the core.

For now we will just keep on trying! And remember that really it is a global issue that I cannot take personally.


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Location:Federation square

Nangi update

I am excited to welcome 20 new workers to the Nangi Village paper project. Training is in place this week, putting us in the position to think about specified roles such as harvesting, quality control, printing and finances.
There could also be other local investments to think about along side the school.
It is a brilliant time of the year to be making, and a brilliant time to be selling too!


- Comments, ideas and constructive criticism appreciated!

Documentation

It's time to document some of the work of White Circles. A screening of The High Road by Myee G, will take place at the UNE, Armidale NSW Friday the 11th November at 7pm.

It is an honor to have been involved in the documentary.


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Markets

Come check us out in Daylesfod . 5th October.


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Location:Daylesfod

Fair Trade.... Fairtrade

The Fair Trade concept.

It is easy to find products that reflect a story far beyond the fair trade stamp. And I question whether it is worth conforming to a logo or stamp to make us one of somebody else.

I appreciate the marketing value and the trust that comes with fairtrade certification, and I am equally aware that this has become necessary for social trust. I would hope that society would continue to change and question everything we consume. From fruit, meat, chocolate, craft and computers. the hardest one I have found to feel comfortable with, is running shoes. There are stories that appreciate being heard or considered, and once our questions are answered, our consuming is justified.

The possibilities of fair trade certification brings forth a number of issues that are often understood by the producers only. The rippling effect of fair trade can at times disrupt a community and remove aspects of independence. There are producers feeling boxed and controlled. And there are producers doing far more than the fair trade process could. The simple solution may be to approach such with open mindedness and consideration for the community at stake. Creating a fair trade framework individual to each community is what will change and improve economic stability for developing communities forevermore.

Like the protests in Melbourne, people just want to be heard or considered. For this habit or awareness to be present, I am unsure whether the fair trade stamp would become more or less necessary.

home in aus

Just to share with you a few thoughts that relate to White Circles and social change.

From afar, some 20 women are going about their lives with enthusiasm and trust in what is happening in Australia.
The winter trade has been steady, but interest is positive. Spring time marks the time to kick start trade, and there are some new avenues to tap into. Education here in Australia will play a key role! Spreading the word to why shopping with awareness is actually circulating to better places across the globe.

It is a challenge I constantly battle with, to limit my purchases to Australian made, or a community development project.
Local garlic is very hard to find.
I need some new joggers that are not made in China.
And some good ink pencils that also don't support a trade I am not interested in.

It follows on to meat, and the question of changing the industry. Is it better to eat none at all.... or buy meat that advocates free range? Therefore making a stand to the reasons why I don't eat meat.

Do I fly home and pay half the price, or go on the train for 2 days?

Being home, and away from Nepal is allowing me to resettle into the environment I want to market in. It is inspiring me to develop new products that link within this lifestyle, and I feel good about it!

Documentary out soon!

the story please!!!!

Second input to Sikre was far more official and less creative than I would have liked. I felt a little swamped by men and particularly uncomfortable at times........................ Actually - I will rephrase that;

I felt completely overwhelmed by dominating men who churned my stomach. This gave me the opportunity to see and feel to a small degree what some wives experience, but just a few days of it, and I am exhausted. I now know a little more about the strength women need in these villages to hold independence of any sort. By no means do I have any dislike to men in general, but I am here to work with women and therefore education and community development. This is the time I step up and act according to my priorities.

I have been pondering on how I could share these stories of lonliness, oppression and strength with you. Instead, please consider how naive you or I could possibly be at times. Try and imagine the stories behind every single thing that crosses your life, and please don't take that off your priority list as your thoughts and considerations may cross the paths of these stories in some way, some day...

...

Sikre can make paper. There are plenty of resources here, with very good farming practices and some very strong leading women. Meeting them for a second time was a delight. I felt mannerisms change within this time, from a simple feminine touch, to a far easier, less foreign greeting.

We shared ideas, and are seeking clarity on the potential costs involved in restarting their paper machine. Their enthusiasm was flattering to me, as I do not expect anybody to even attend a meeting with someone as foreign and hard to understand as me and my Nepali language at times.

We had some more official-like meetings which were not really noteable.

There is a plan to harvest, and make paper, colour and kites if they want to. But I do not feel it will work until the balance is present and the direction given by men is not necessary or expected.

The challenges in this short trip, have absolutely made headstrong of my motivation. There is a strange weight taken off my shoulders as I learn the heartbreaking stories that actually make it easier for me to work here.

New people. New forest. New dialect... and a road less travelled.

Sikre village.

I have met with Khadga Kharel Ji some time ago through a dear Australian forriage expert- Alan Robertson. This connection is valuable, and my instinctual trust can be confirmed.

Our plans have been simmering for six months now as we developed some basic kites in his home to sell in Australia. Basic, biodegradable, and beautiful. This trial in his family led me now to believe we could place in it a womens group and invest in some aspect of education like that of Nangi. This initial test takes place in Sikre - Sindhupalchowk. Nepal.

My meeting here was exciting as I felt them appreciate my language, and Bim Kumari Ji led me to a place within the jungle where we gained trust of each other and ate good ripe berries. This meeting will follow with an agreement made following fair trade principles to test whether they really are interested in making kites. We have found some good colour from the jungle that can be made into a paste for the block printing, and there are enough flowers about to press print too.

Photos will come soon.

Some time in April or May for a short week.

.....An incredibly satisfying time here where these relationships are solid. Absolutely solid, where the cultural habits or barriers that I often struggled with have become transparent or far less important. There is now a better understanding of why I do this and why they do that. And best of all, it doesn't matter.

There is now an understanding of the structure of my business - White Circles, and their opinion is positive as it will bring a long term future to the project and therefor they are excited to come to work every day. We have four new women working with us who laughed just as much as the others by Kaaja (snack time) day 1.

It is an honour to share this trip with Myee Gregory who is making a documentary on the project for University of New England Honours degree. (see http://blog.une.edu.au/news/2011/04/29/myee-travels-to-nepal-on-film-making-assignment/)

This will not only give the opportunity to educate about fair trade and concientious consumer bahaviours, but explore possibilitlies to transfer a similar framework elsewhere in Nepal. myeegregory.wordpress.com

The commitment, particularly on my last day was astounding, as we worked in fast forward 3 hours over time, making books, songs, and a future. This was simply a pleasure.

We have been putting together many books that will be easy to sell in Australia and online. (http://www.bluecaravan.net/home/1/)

They hold a good energy and I know that it is absolutely benefiting this community. They say so themselves. and they have every right to demand what more they want to change. We can get more books made at a more efficient rate with a few simple machines, and we can hope for less women overworking themselves in the jungle for their children's health or education.

This environment is exactly where I want to be... Be it Nepal, or some other village in some other part of the world.

P.R in Australia

Featured in the Northern Daily leader.

There are some details that are incorrect. White Circles is an ethical business linked with Nepali community development projects.

Nangi Second Input

It's post monsoon, holidays for the biggest festival of the year... and there is a lot of field work to be done before the dry season.

Nevertheless, my unexpected arrival to check the progress of Kitaab (Book) making, proved satisfying for both parties. I was excited to see their creative initiatives, just as excited to see the quality kept high, and even more excited to see their enthusiasm to start work again after farming work subsides.
I cannot be anything but proud of Nangi village, and learn from their commoradory, independance, and exclusion from some cultural barriers. I am dedicated to the continual support and excited to try a similar model with another village.

I feel as though working with women tends to domino the community projects, with understanding of such priorities as education, sanitation, agriculture and health.

... I could be nothing but comfortable.

Products

It is with pleasure that I present our first season of products...

BORIS;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

This particular notebook is coloured with walnut bark and a local fern.
All are blank inside.
20 gram paper, about 100 pages.
Sizes range from 15x15cm to 18x20cm



More BORIS, printed with ancient fabric block prints.

ACCORDIAN;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Great for traveling, as you can pop it on your wall at the end.
Most have 20 pages of 40 gram paper.
Sizes range from 15x15cm - 22x22cm

just a few examples- more colours, prints and shapes to come.

First Season

Nangi Village - A successful small enterprise which generates income through traditional artistic skills. . . Income that sustains a number of women's families, as well as contributes to the local school of Nangi village..... I have a lot of faith in this school. It is supported by Himanchal Education foundation. - http://www.himanchal.org/ which have tremendously sustainable ideas. Where internet access is their main success.

The hand made journals in this village have come from the abundance of Lokta tree which is located in the jungle on our doorstep. Resources are naturally regenerated, organic, and totally sustainable.

Production of the paper and books is very casual. If women chose to come and work, we welcome them, and they receive a daily wage. We also think it is pretty important that their home environment is not jeopardized. Collecting grasses for animals and general farm maintainability takes up a significant chunk of their day.
One thing to consider here would be to decrease the home labor by producing better grasses and researching some relevant environmental changes.

Pumdi Village

SEPANA (DREAM) NEPAL. 

The contrast in Nangi village to Pumdi village is both inspiring, shocking and motivating. I walk down to a much less physically demanding environment. Where the cultural barriers are far higher for me. There is a different understanding of development here... maybe the result of being close to Pokhara city where tourism is what the city strives on. Whatever it be - I am still learning about it and any such thought I pass here - are MINE and not justified by anything more than my experiences. 

Sapana Nepal works in Pumdi, and do much more than inspiring education. Sepana Nepal looks ahead into keeping things sustainable. I want to help this. I want something long lasting.... and I want somet

hing FUN.... What is fun - time, an experience... A FEELING ... and state of mind. 

So far Sapana has done a good job in developing the creative mind and introducing colour. That in itself for me is incredibly exciting. 

We have played around with some Batik here on possible marketable items in Australia. At this stage I hope to go home with some samples, tests, development and positivity. And I feel in the future there are big possibilities for a womens program here. The biggest feat is gaining trust in what we are selling. I would be ever so happy to work along side these women.

HARVESTING IN THE JUNGLE

For practical reasons, I wasn't going to take a camera into the jungle to harvest... So this is my latter impression of what it was....

My harvesting skills were by no means up to scratch to these women, but I feel it was important to see and understand exactly the work that goes into the Lokta harvesting... It's no easy task. We walk all day and cut for the middle part. The jungle offers a lot more than Lokta- it has an ancient spirit.

First days

THE NEPALI KETI'S HAVE ARRIVED! 

These Nepali women are a pleasure to spend time with. I started out a tad frightened, and now - day 2, have snuck out of the lesson to pour my excitement onto the page. I - once again, feel perfectly comfortable. The only barrier being my stomach and it's cravings for salad and fruit!!! 

Day one was at first a shock to try and understand where we must start from. I felt a communication barrier, and exhausted by the end of it. Labeling it as work, not life.... which I wasn't impressed with.  In redemption, today they have surprised me with little accordian books they've made, and open critisism of their work. Fabulous! Mind you the most important thing was that I felt a relationship growing today. I'm not separate from them, I am with them. 

Today we simply played.. I tried to gauge where each lady wanted to be creatively and who was simply more passionate about boiling the potatoes for lunch. We played with colour, sewing, cutting, folding and drank tea! 

It feels great. Just day two, and who have something to work with... some communication skills growing and feel confident about an income! 

OUR life is bliss! Take a deep breath!