I took this opportunity to ask and interview the head of a social enterprise which is continuously helping shape the lives of Yolanda survivors.. This social enterprise, the Haiyan Unity Bracelet, enables Yolanda mothers in a Tacloban community to augment their income and support their families after the onslaught of Yolanda, internationally named Haiyan.
In this interview, Danika Astilla-Magoncia provides key details about the Haiyan Unity Bracelet.
How it all began
It actually started around 10 years ago. The designer, Danika Astilla-Magoncia (me), just graduated college and started exploring the use of jewelry wire, and eventually felt at home with copper wire.
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| Image Courtesy: Haiyan Unity Bracelet |
Around 5 years after a long-time friend, Niña Bañez-Cerdiña, came home from the States and both started talking about how to make Tacloban City a better place with the help of arts & music. The idea of social enterprise was born and we spent 5 years being inspired and scared (at the same time) of the idea until Yolanda happened. A week after the storm Niña called and we decided to make a go at the social enterprise.
We launched a crowdfunding campaign on gofundme.com and was able to raise Php 135,000 and was able to receive a grant from the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) and used the money to train partner-workers from Brgy. Palanog, a highly depressed community in Tacloban City.
Copper as an art of living
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| Image Courtesy: Haiyan Unity Bracelet |
The products, which sell for Php 300 and up (custom-made pieces), are made of copper wire, and we sometimes use wood beads, textile beads, and freshwater pearls. Mothers from Brgy. Palanog make the pieces. Our pieces are highly sustainable because copper wire is one of the most reused/recycled metal in the world, and we use recycled flour sacks as packaging.
It helps the community because the partner-workers earn living wages from the pieces they make, plus they share the profits among themselves (they actually own the business).
Helping improve lives
Before sales are made, our partner-workers are already paid for the labor they used to make the pieces. But even if there are weeks without work (we have a lot of product on hand), the profits for the month are split among the workers.
Right now they are better than before. The money they get helps with their children’s schooling, and also their personal “womanly” needs.
How and where to find the bracelets
We accept orders though Haiyan Unity Bracelet, at our cell number 0927 538 7638, at our e-mail kinamot2014@gmail.com, and @KinamotNgaBuhat (Twitter & Instagram).
Image Courtesy: Haiyan Unity Bracelet
Our official consignees are in Tacloban City (Café Lucia, Libro Books & Café, Giuseppe’s Ristorante, Ayo Café, Bukid Outdoor Shop, Mortal Outdoor Shop, Yellow Doors Hostel, and nail Express), Cebu City (Handuraw Pizza in Gorordo Ave. & The Chillage), Manila (Neil & Neil Surf Co. in Intramuros, Golden Salakot in Ermita and through Mariel Impoc), the USA (Paul Kimball from New York), and Australia (through Kristoffer Ryan Diocampo).
We are also looking for resellers and bulk buyers too.
