Sales and a Surprise

We had a last minute flurry trying to finish a number of samples of the new products for the 2^nd International Craft Fair, but ended up having too many products to display on our table.

We thought the flow of people was a little down on last years event, although we still made sales of over $100 over the 6 hr market, which was  a great improvement compared to the recent Independence Market in town.

I was able to meet with Nga Nguyen (a consultant from BESIK) who was in Dili to present the findings of a preliminary survey on women’s Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). Last November Besik sent some staff out to 2 districts and interviewed some women.  The consultant wanted to meet with me and see Belekria’s products.  She also invited me to hear the report the following Monday at the Ministry of Health.

I also happened to have a stall next to me with a lady who is starting a small business doing dog training etc.  She had a chat with me about Belekria producing some “treat bags” for dog owners to hold treats while training.

Finally and perhaps most wonderfully, I was introduced to a lovely American woman who is leaving Timor in a few weeks.  She was explaining that she had $1200 which had been donated to support the commencement of a business, but the business in mind had not got off the ground, so she was hoping to find a worthwhile use for the money, and she asked if Belekria needed machines or some other infrastructure.  My eyes opened a little wider and I explained that as we had had so much work, our sweet home machines were being overworked and were starting to be unusable – over heating etc.  I also explained that I had been discussing the possibility of purchasing some industrial machines such as the tailors here use.

She was excited by the idea and encouraged me to find and buy some machines and she would hand over the donation! WOW!

So we are looking at purchasing 2-3 industrial machines and hopefully letting our sweet home style

machines take a break though we will still need them for fancy stitches like zig zag etc.

Friends bringing gifts!

Wow! Yesterday we had a group of 5 lovely people from Palmerston Cross Roads (Baptist) Church visit us on their way to Los Palos with Samuel.  They pulled a large bag out of the car and inside was a brand new elna sewing machine! Thankyou to Dorothy!  Not to mention a large donation and a collection of patterns as well!  We set it up in the sewing room, and as soon as the power came back on, Sinta began using it.  It was so simple to thread, has matching feet and bobbins as the singers, and is so quiet!  Of course Serenity loves it because it has pink designs on the top :)  Will try to get a photo up when i can.
They are also returning on Monday and will collect the large order of bags to be taken back to Darwin.
(They also brought lollies for the kids, and we had asked for a tin of milo for a treat for them, and they brought 3 over!!!)  Too sweet...

WOW, new developments!

Ok, so you know how I mentioned some machines in Australia?  THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY!!!!
We are so excited!  My y parents packed them into crate, a local truck company delivered them to Melbourne (half price!!) and Rotary packed them into a chipping container due here in Timor in May!
I told Sinta about them, and how I would like to get them out to women with a rent/buy system.  She told me later that she couldnt sleep that night she was so excited and plannig how she could use her salary to pay one off and then start her own mending business from home on the weekends.  Perfect.

Now that we know it can be done, we may plan anothewr delivery in a few months, so maybe I'll stick up a wish list and you can all start collecting :)

So the sewing room looks lovely.  Sinta has set it up with all the products displayed around the room.  She launched bravely into uniforms, and has been selling a few each week.  She was very proud to tell me that she buys the black fabric for $4.5/m, can make 2 skirts from it, then sell them for $4.50-$5 each!  Double your money!

She also had some lovely news to share with me.  A relative (widow with 5 living children) gave them a baby boy (5months old) to care for (they have been suffering infertility for 8 years) So i was so overjoyed to hear she has a son to care for, even if it may only be for a few years.  She said she was so scared at first as he was very small and weak.

ALSO
I just recieved an email from Greenbeans AU offering me some heavily discounted stock!  I really hope we can buy it.  I just need some cash.....  Anyone????