GUEST SPEAKER: Kay Eva 'Stitches of Hope'

Posted by Ian FAIRNIE
Cambodian Sleeping Bags a Godsend for those sleeping rough this winter
 
Rotarian Kay Eva (Swan Rotary), first saw poverty on an unbelievable scale during a trip to Cambodia in 2004 with her husband John.  "We were giving some supplies to a lady who was living under a sheet of tin on the side of the road, and were shattered when she told us that the day before she had sold her little seven-month-old baby for $20.”
 
Upon returning home, Kay began brainstorming potential charity ideas with Linda Chisholm, a charity worker already based in Cambodia who suggested Kay bring her sewing skills to the country, which she did.
 
Before long "Stitches of Hope” (SoH) was born and underprivileged women were given the opportunity to learn sewing skills, which in turn improves their chances of gaining employment at large-scale clothing factories.
 
One of the main items being produced for SoH are sleeping bags, which can be bought from Applecross Rotary and a couple of other Rotary Clubs in Perth, for $50.
 
And here’s the pitch - Buy a sleeping bag for $50 and we’ll see it goes to someone in WA, to help them keep warm this winter.  The $50 goes to a RWACS* charity in Cambodia called Stitches of Hope and AnglicareWA distributes the sleeping bags to people in need, mainly young people but increasingly, mature women who have nowhere else to sleep except in their car or on the street.
 
According to Kay, it was a real eye-opener for Cambodians to hear that there are poor and underprivileged people in Perth.  They had no idea that an affluent country like Australia does have people who, through no fault of their own, are out on the streets.
Pictured is Kay handing over some sleeping bags last year to SOH club champion PP Ian Fairnie from member purchases that were distributed to local charities supporting local people in need.  Ian would be very happy to receive your $50 and arrange a tax receipt to purchase more sleeping bags for people in need for this winter.
 
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
No, not a set of steak knives!
Since its inception 12 years ago, SoH has also raised much-needed funds for local underprivileged children, and a community centre that doubles as a school for 85 children.  There are so many children wanting to go to the school (which provides “add-on” learning on top of what’s available at government schools) that they host two schools - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The new building B is now ready to be fitted out, starting with kitchen, toilets, and a bathroom.
 
SoH is also funding the digging of wells, providing villages with fresh clean water for the first time.  Each well supports 12 families.
 
The sewing centre, based just outside Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, provides training and employment for up to 20 local women, who were previously homeless or rescued from abusive situations.  Kay describes the sewing centre as a "training ground" where the rescued women can learn a skill and move on to work in a factory or centres that provide higher wages.
 
They don't have to sell their children, and it also means they don't have to sell themselves.
 
Rotarians: People of Action
Footnote: While this project would seem to be one that could be developed into a Global Grant funding application, the in-country Rotary Club (Phnom Penh) advised Kay that they were unable to co-sponsor an application as they had already reached their limit with RI.
*RAWCS - Rotary Australia World Community Service project which allows donors to claim the expense as an income tax deduction