LHAF Sewing Co-op Program

Location: Kid First Rehabilitation and Career Counseling Center In Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam

This is a vocational training and employment project for economically and physically disadvantaged women of Quang Tri Province which did not have a vocational training program of this design.

The Sewing Cooperative has two functions:

1) Train and graduate 20 students per year. Participants learn the sewing vocation and pass a basic sewing proficiency test administered by co-op teachers and certified by relevant local authorities. Upon graduation they will receive a certificate of proficiency and will be competent to: Open their own small sewing business, become a member of the co-op, or apply for factory jobs.

2) Perform sewing contracts with the aim to: - Develop a self-sustaining co-operative enterprise, - Provide employment for members, - Pay co-op overhead and operational costs, - Provide training and on-the-job work experience for students/trainees.

The Co-op has secured contracts for the following:

• seating components for the Kids First pediatric wheelchair factory (also located in the Kids First Village campus)
• baseball uniforms for an American sponsored T-Ball program, and
• school uniforms for scholarship programs supported by other NGOs.

The project is established with the aim of becoming both organizationally and financially self-sustaining within 2 years. Throughout the 2-year pilot period, LHAF staff (in conjunction will a local consultant) will provide initial funding along with guidance and needed organizational assistance.

KFV will provide work space and utilities free of charge. After the 2-year pilot period LHAF will continue to monitor, advise, and ensure transparency of operations. A rental agreement for work space will be negotiated with Kids First.