They Weave Their Own Hope
Possessing a sense of self-worth is a genuine form of wealth. A sense of worth and self-respect can help change the direction of one's life... as it did for some women from the urban poor community of Payatas.
For these women, the days used to pass by in idle gossip, while they hung around their neighborhood. But with the help of a social business enterprise called Rags2 Riches, a few of these women got into the community-based industry of weaving rugs. They were encouraged to sell these at bazaars, and found their stocks often sold out. This went on until a noted Filipino fashion designer showed them the possibilities of their craft.
The renowned designer encouraged the Payatas women to add more value to their goods by incorporating elements of design. That way, the women weavers could command better prices for their work. The designer provided the women with bag designs, which they would execute, and these designs eventually became RIIR, Rags2Riches' designer brand of woven bags and accessories.
The Payatas weavers were awestruck. "Lubos kaming natuwa noong una naming makita ang aming produkto, ang resulta ng aming pinaghirapan na hawak-hawak ng model. Parang gusto naming sumigaw at umiyak sa tuwa." (When we first saw our bag, the product of all our hard work, in the model's hand, we couldn't explain how we felt. We felt like we wanted to shout and cry for joy.) Nanay Cynthia says. They were so excited, they couldn't sleep. And they eventually came to realize their own capabilities and worth, giving birth to the confidence they now possess.
And with that new-found self-esteem came the courage to face all odds. "Kung may pagbabago, kailangan natin tanggapin at maging bukas-loob dito. Hindi balakid ang kahirapan. Tayo lang ang makakatulong sa sarili natin," (When change comes, we must accept and open ourselves to it. Poverty is not an obstacle. Only we can help ourselves.) Nanay Cynthia says. And with this confidence, they face the future with dignity. "Ngayon, ayoko nang mangarap ng mababa. Sa ngayon, may fighting spirit na kami." (Now, I no longer want to dream small dreams, because now, we have found our fighting spirit.)
Such is the hope that Great Taste coffee wishes to wake everyone up to each morning; the hope that comes from believing in one's self, no matter how uncertain the future may be.