This project continues the work begun last year under the "Creating Favourable Conditions for the Employment of Disabled People in the City of Stara Zagora" project.
REDA is assisting a local group of physically handicapped women, living in the Stara Zagora Home for the Handicapped, to turn their hand knit crafts skills into a sustainable enterprise. Under the scope of this project REDA will refurbish their workspace, giving them a comfortable room in which to produce their hand crafted goods as well as cabinetry for storing supplies and inventory. We will help them identify and train an individual to assume the enterprise's management responsibilities. Part of this training will be dedicated to the creation of a sustainable business plan (including a marketing plan, budget, inventory control, production scheduling & order fulfillment, cash flow management, etc.). We will also assist them in designing and producing a set of marketing tools, such as a website and brochures, flyers and mailing pieces.
The primary goal of this project is to have the enterprise functioning on a self-sustained basis within one year. This project has been funded by a grant from the Small Projects Assistance program of the United States Peace Corps.
This project continues the work begun last year under the "Creating Favourable Conditions for the Employment of Disabled People in the City of Stara Zagora" project.
On November 4, 2005 the Opening Ceremony was held for the renovated Knitting Room, a little used storeroom in the Home for the Handicapped was renovated to become a bright, cheerful and inviting workplace where the eight physically handicapped women will conduct their craft knitting business. Representatives from the Home for the Handicapped, the Municipality, Peace Corps and local and national media were on hand to congratulate the women and to wish them every success as they begin their business venture.
During the renovation, a new floor was installed, the walls and ceiling were painted, new desks and tables were brought in, a new sofa was purchased, an air conditioner was installed, a new computer and printer were added and amenities such as a coffee maker, a cd player, an iron, curtains and potted plants turned the former storeroom into a cozy and comfortable workplace for the eight women.
As you can see from the ‘Before & After' photos, the room renovation was a great success!
On November 18, 2005 we launched our Internet store for selling custom made hand knit apparel – http://www.handknitcrafts.com/