Transforming Handicraft into Community Enterprise: A Case of Dreams in Our Hands Presented By: Raymond Tzul Acting General Manager St. Martin’s Credit Union Kelsie Gentle Local Economic Development Officer San Ignacio and Santa Elena Presented On: July 8, 2015

Outline Introduction Case Study: Dreams in Our Hands ▫History ▫Project Implementation ▫Role of Credit Union ▫Successes ▫Challenges ▫Sustainability Conclusion References

Introduction Starting a business and obtaining a job are often seen as solutions to addressing poverty (ILO, 2014). Belize is ranked 118 out of 189 countries in the Ease of Doing Business with access to credit being a major problem. Community-based enterprises and micro-lending institutions are able to integrate social, economic, and environmental dimensions that leads to sustainable enterprises and improved standard of living.

Introduction (Cont’d)

Case Study: Dreams In Our Hands

History Dreams in Our Hands began with two women from the Kontiki Area in San Ignacio, Belize who awaited their children at Arms of Love Primary School. ▫Paid for crochet classes to increase their skills and capacities. ▫Garnered the attention of other mothers awaiting their children. ▫Organized into a group of nine (9) women (critical to its success) ▫Several fundraisers, Barbeque and pastry sales, were held to supply members with crochet materials. ▫Interest was expressed in formalizing their “hobby” into a business venture. ▫A lack of resources among members forced them to seek assistance from the Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, who referred to them to the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) Project ▫The proposal was accepted as a LED Demonstration Project by the Local Economic Development Project Advisory Committee.

Project Implementation Business Inception Drafting of Project Proposal Partnership with Various Stakeholders Approval of Project Proposal Signing of Letter of Agreement Business Management Classes Training in Financial Literacy Training in Sewing Training in Advanced Crochet Project Closure Official Launch of Business Technical Assistance in Design Project Evaluation Follow Up

Role of Credit Union Active member of the Local Economic Development Project Advisory Committee (LED-PAC) Understand the importance of community-based partnerships and the impact that can be achieved if people are able to work together to achieve a common goal. The Credit Union committed itself to providing these women with financial literacy training that included understanding the importance of budgeting and saving ▫They were able to appreciate the nature of credit unions and how they can be their partner in the development of both their personal life and the life of their business.

Successes Perseverance and Women Empowerment ▫Transitioned from a group of women operating on the informal sector to a group of highly motivated entrepreneurs. Ongoing Support from Institutional Partners ▫Partners continue to support the project to ensure success. ▫LEDO continues to work closely with the business. Social Cohesion ▫Women work together and serve as support for each other. Innovation and Creativity ▫Members continue to utilize recycled material to create unique products.

Challenges Procurement of Materials ▫Purchasing 6 months of inventory from a single store delayed implementation by a month. Marketing and Competition ▫Being relatively close to the border, there is competition from relatively cheaper products. Marketing the business as “Made in Belize” is currently ongoing. Business Management ▫Follow up is needed to ensure that the women continue to practice business management, mostly book keeping.

Sustainability Ensuring cohesiveness among members Addressing challenges through ongoing support and increased marketing of the business. ▫Continue to work closely with members of Dreams in Our Hands ▫Develop a practical marketing plan; market the business as “Made in Belize” Ongoing support from St. Martin’s Credit Union ▫Members are entitled to advisory sessions, including business and investment advice ▫Loans for business expansion ▫Access to financing to meet their personal needs

Conclusion Community development is said to address a number of challenges in communities including: “solving local problems, addressing inequalities of wealth and power, promoting democracy, and building a sense of community” (Rubin & Rubin as cited in Haines & Green, 2011). It is important for CBEs to not be assessed based solely on business indicators, but also includes human and social impact. Dreams in Our Hands continues to transition to a profit-seeking enterprise; however, the social cohesion within the group has proven to be one of its greatest strengths. Continued collaboration and ownership on the part of the beneficiaries are key to ensuring sustainability and its ultimate success.

References Green, G., P., & Haines, A. (2011). The role of assets in community-based development. In Asset Building and Community Development (Pp. 1-24). London: United Kingdom. Retrieved from International Labor Organization. (2014). Sustainable enterprises: Creating more and better jobs. Retrieved from emp_ent/documents/publication/wcms_ pdf Peredo, A., M., & Chrisman, J., M. (2006). Toward a theory of community based enterprises. Retrieved from web.uvic.ca/~aperedo/resources/Journal-Articles/AMR-12-Aug-04.doc Welsch, H., P., & Kuhns, B. (2002). Community based enterprises: Propositions and cases. Retrieved from doi= &rep=rep1&type=pdf World Bank. (2015). Ease of doing business: Belize. Retrieved June 14, 2015 from

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