We at Laga Designs are proud to announce our specialized handbag training program for the handicapped in Banda Aceh. Having been involved in the rehabilitation and rebuilding process after the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, we have taken yet another step in our effort to reach those most in need. We asked our manager/trainer, Hana, to write a summary regarding the new handicap training program we are providing:

     “We are partnering with LCI ( Leonard Cheshire International) which exists in 55 countries around the world. This idea came up when LCI came to Banda Aceh after the tsunami with a great passion to train and develop the handicapped here. LCI heard about Laga Designs which has been conducting training on the making of Aceh traditional handbags. They came to us asking to partner with them in helping the handicapped so that they could have the same work opportunity as those who are fully functional. 

     “We conducted the first training in November 2007 in  Laga Designs’ workshop.

      “Ten candidates joined the training; eight were mute and deaf since they were born, one didn’t have one hand and the other hand was without fingers, and one had a deformed foot. There was only one who did not qualify to attend the training course.     

“Impression during the training:

     “The women had a great willingness to learn, which was evident by their commitment to attend every class even though they lived far away from the training workshop. Since it was sometimes difficult to communicate with them, we used a lot of visual samples and had to be very patient in explaining the instructions over and over again.     

“After the twelfth day of training which was held daily from 9am to 5pm, three women were already able to do the embroidery. They now work from home since our workshop is quite far, coming in to the workshop only to bring in the finished handbags.

     “On February 19, 2008 we begin another handicapped training course for another eight women.”

We are truly excited to be able to provide yet another way to rehabilitate victims of disaster and are dedicated to finding new ways to help those in need.