From: Malaak Compton-Rock
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:34 AM
To: Laga handbags

Thank you very much for submitting such a beautiful story and telling us about your life-saving work. I am extremely impressed and inspired by what you have done and are continuing to accomplish. Though we are on deadline for a few projects of our own right now, we will most certainly be in touch with you. I do think there are ways in which The Angelrock Project can help you help others and you all are my kind of people. We will be back in touch soon.
In the meantime, take good care,Malaak.

From: louise
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:39 PM
To: Malaak Compton-Rock
Subject: Angel Rock Project and Laga handbags

Hello Malaak~
I came across your Angelrock Project via a Ladies Who Launch email which I receive on a regular basis. My husband and I have been involved in a project of our own for over three years now and would like to know how your company can help us bring more awareness to what we are doing.
I wanted to submit my story to you because it has been more than three years since my husband and I quit our jobs in order to help the people most devastatingly affected by the 2004 tsunami restore their lives and build hope for their families: the people of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Banda Aceh is the largest city closest to the epicenter of the earthquake of December 26, 2004; they lost almost half their entire population in this horrendous disaster. A portion of the coastlands of Aceh was lost forever and the people who survived the tsunami who previously resided on those coastlands were left with nowhere to live. Others lost their entire families and homes, and more than 50,000 of those people are still to this day residing in temporary barracks and/or tents, most of which would not pass habitable, let alone sanitary, inspections here in the US.
Here is our story:

On January 3, 2005, my husband Roy received a life-changing telephone call from Saddleback church (pastored by Rick Warren, best-selling author of “The Purpose Driven Life”) who asked him to be Relief Coordinator for tsunami-ravaged Indonesia which had, just one week prior, taken the lives of more than 285,000 people. One week later, Roy found himself on a plane headed for Indonesia and, for the next 14 months, continued leading teams to help rebuild Banda Aceh, Sumatra, the area most severely devastated by the tsunami. About 6 months into his journey, I felt compelled to resign from my job and join him. We were particularly drawn to facilitating employment for the Acehnese survivors who lost their families and had no means of sustenance.

On behalf of Saddleback Church and with the funding raised by its membership, we helped facilitate the purchase of state-of-the-art satellite equipment, partnered with a non-government organization (NGO) in Banda Aceh which made it possible to open up 3 internet cafes and together we began training young Acehnese men in all matters of the internet business. From teaching simple computer skills to more difficult applications and programming to fixing satellite issues to customer service and running the business, we worked diligently with the people of the community. We also funded other training centers to teach them to make quilts, silver jewelry, recycled paper and gifts. When the relief work with Saddleback had concluded, we felt the need to continue helping the people of Aceh somehow.

It was then that we were introduced to an art form of hand-guided embroidery used in making handbags that the local people had been selling in their local markets. Seeing a unique opportunity, we brought some purses home and invited 20 friends to come to a gathering at our home in an attempt to raise additional funds for the tsunami relief effort. The response we received was overwhelming. It was at that point that Laga was born. Our goal is to be able to provide employment for 1200 tsunami victims. That translates into a lot of handbags! Beyond the provision of employment is the fact that we believe we are also playing a part in history. Each Laga bag is handmade by tsunami survivors in Aceh province. The hand-guided embroidery patterns, having been passed down through the generations, are indigenous to this area, sewn on pedal-driven, non-electric treadle machines and make each Laga handbag a piece of truly unique historical art. I believe that we are also playing a very important part in history by bringing an otherwise unrecognized art form to the rest of the world.Here are the steps we have taken in an effort to gain exposure for Laga bags here in the U.S.:We have begun a Consultant Program whereby women host home shows. It is a one-level program, not multi-level, like many other home party plans. Laga provides all the hostess incentives; Consultants purchase products at 75% of retail.

Although we have received accolades from many people and received an overwhelming response to our handbags and our efforts, our goals are extremely lofty and are looking for people to come alongside and help us bring the Laga story to the world.

We have become aware of your website and realize that you have a heart for people in need and feel there may be a way you can play a part in our efforts. As it stands now, we have dedicated our lives and all of our personal resources to this effort. We have not asked for financial help to date; all of our net profits have been designated to fund the materials, equipment, expenses, building rentals, and salaries for the people of Aceh. But in order to assure continuing job security for the 150+ people we are currently helping, we can use all the help we can get.

If this effort is of interest to you, we appeal to you to contact us.Thank you so much for your kind consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings,
Roy and Louise van Broekhuizen
Co-founders
LAGA DESIGNS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

www.laga-handbags.com

“…when you buy a Laga bag you’re not just getting a beautiful handbag, you’re investing in the future of a precious life..”