Angela Cuevas Founder

Towards a better world, through sustainable development and women's values

Established in 1995, the Association of Female Heads of Households seeks to provide a basic social need: gainful employment for female heads of households whose circumstances preclude a life of dignity. There is a saying to the effect that "nothing weighs more when it's empty than a stomach." With a view to helping the community as a whole – and low income women in particular – we decided to seek donations of used clothing. The idea was for the Association to sell the clothing and thus raise seed money for future projects. A follow-up meeting was to be held in two weeks time.

Two weeks later, however, no one turned up. Then someone told us that the proceeds of the sales had already been spent. We refused to be discouraged, however, and set about looking for other moneymaking ideas. It had to be something that could be learned quickly, with free raw materials and little investment in tools. It also had to provide a useful product, capable of being manufactured at home while mothers tended their children. We soon came across something that looked good: an educational toy being sold in a museum gift shop. It was a little kit for making paper. Thus the Association of Female Heads of Households took up the manufacture of hand-made, recycled paper. Every two weeks we provided a free training course for women and children.

Our raw material consists of any and all scrap paper, as long as it isn't soiled with food. The Association collects scrap paper in schools, financial institutions, universities and other such places. The paper is then taken to a storage and distribution center. Every week, the papermaking women visit the center to pick up their allotted paper and take it home with them.

The Production Model: Although fashioned after Mexico's maquila, we prefer to call it home-based work for women with children, to be done in their spare time. Within this economic model the prime concern is to generate sufficient income to cover the women's basic necessities. Each woman's level of production determines the income she can derive from this activity.

Quality Control: Strict quality control is imposed. The women must provide sample sheets until they have achieved the required quality.

Secondary Products: The hand-made paper is then used in the manufacture of numerous secondary products, such as note pads, appointment booklets, boxes, screens, bags, picture frames, ID tags, photo albums, pencil cases, coasters, etc.

Printing: Printing is being undertaken on an increasing scale. Printing jobs include business cards, greeting cards, leaflets, calendars, etc.

PROJECTS: During 2001-2002, a number of workshops were established with the help of the British Embassy. These workshops instituted notebook manufacturing, garbage classification, growing worms and organic gardening in 40 schools throughout the City of Cali.

In 2002-2003 we plan to launch our informal education program, with emphasis on women's values, alternative economies and sustainable development.

In 2003, we will inaugurate an ecological center in the Municipality of El Bolo, on the road linking Cali and Palmira, for the benefit of female heads of households. This project is being undertaken by the Municipality of Palmira, together with international associates. The center, situated in the midst of an orchard of fruit trees, will strive to promote ecologically sustainable family-based businesses as a means of raising the standard of living of the entire community.

Objectives:

• To promote the philosophy of the Association through our website and to venture into other markets by means of e-commerce.
• To enter the market for fine papers, together with the craftsmen who make fine paper in the City of Cali, with a view to participating in the clusters engaged in the printing trade.
• To continue recycling bottles, cans and plastic as an alternate means of generating income.
• And, above all..
• To promote womens values such as peace, solidarity and sustainable development.

We have also published two books: El hombrecillo que se tragó a Dios (The Little Man Who Swallowed God) and Cien Años de Amor (A Hundred Years of Love) by Margarita Gamboa. We have also participated in a number of projects for illustrated books.

Distribution of Sales: About 35% of all sales are made in our own store – Las Abejas (The Bees). Some 40% of sales are made to private companies and institutions, while 5% correspond to local bookstores. Exports to Europe, the US and Canada account for 15% of sales. An additional 3% of sales are made at trade fairs in Bogotá, Berlin and London, while 2% are made through the various "solidarity banks" located in strategic points in various European countries.

Other Activities: The Association also offers courses in recycling to the general public, as well as to schools, institutions and companies. It also undertakes the destruction of confidential files, and the recycling and merchandising of other solid and organic waste products – the latter through growing worms at home

Phone (57 2) 881 73 03, 889 13 31 Fax (57 2) 883 88 69
Address: Calle 6 No. 4-02 esquina, Cali, Colombia
e-mail: fida@calipso.com.co