Welcome new followers! I added a lot of new followers with my post on Facebook. I try to showcase a social good business in Cambodia on my website / email list every month.
I first learned about VillageWorks from my friends at NOMI Network and now every time I see their shop I smile. I have been lucky to be invited to the VillageWorks location in Phnom Penh, where a large group of the polio survivors work. VillageWorks is more than handicrafts. The essence is really building the lives of the villagers. Behind every piece of work, you get the whole person and his or her family. Supporters are invited to join them and be engage in building lives. That support helps the villagers break free from their poverty cycle, and find hope in life.
VillageWorks Songkhem was conceived by a missionary from Cambodia Methodist Services for the purpose of creating employment, providing skills and livelihood to women and young people in a small village in Baray district of Kampong Thom province Cambodia from 1997 to 2001 and name it Songkhem.
In 2001, VillageWorks officially opened by the Girls’ Brigade Singapore and continue supporting the project to 2006. With their support Villageworks Songkhem has touched many lives and contributed to society and to the nation. Villageworks Songkhem became locally operated by Cambodian staff from 2006.
In 2008, VillageWorks Songkhem Co., Ltd was registered with Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and became a provisional member of World Fair Trade Organization member in 2011.
VillageWorks vision is to bring hope to the villagers and to nurture their self-worth as persons and to help them realize their potential and purpose in life. Their strategy is to organize, equip and inspire the villagers to produce quality handicraft work for the global marketplace. VillageWorks is more than making handicraft products and allowing the villagers to buy food for themselves and their families. VillageWorks is about restoring human spirit in small villages and bringing meaning of life to them. It is about empowering people to stand tall on their own.
Their workers in the villages are called “Shining Eyes” because each worker makes the product with passion, pride and enthusiasm. They know that someone outside of the villages cares, supports and believes in them. As part of the VillageWorks team, their workers want our buyers to be excited when they see the products. They take great pride to show their work to the world.
They believe in the dignity and worth of every person in the villages. They work and live a meaningful life to become the people they can be. Each piece of work has its own unique fingerprint of personality and potential. No two pieces are alike. No piece is perfectly identical because no two of us are the same.
And they have dreams….BIG dreams for the people and the handicrafts. Every day we take a small step and make it a reality. Their focus and direction gives their people renewed energy and purpose.
Every cent earned goes to the villagers. VillageWorks is committed to helping every person in the village find meaningful work and become all they can be. They also want you to join and become part of this worthy moment.
VillageWorks cannot do this alone. They need your support to continue to make an even greater impact. You can touch a life and make a difference in another person’s life by taking these actions today.
- Make a purchase.
- Pledge financial support.
- Be a volunteer helper.
- Join them in prayer.
This is one of the many awesome social businesses in Cambodia. Do you know another one?