New Handbag Manufacturer Shows Plenty of Heart

With the coming of spring, our minds naturally turn to fresh new looks and fashion trends. We want to know what’s hot and what’s not, and we put time aside to find the right accessories and handbags to match each new outfit. Fortunately, there’s a new handbag manufacturer in town – Laga Designs International — that recently hit the market running with two lines of quality handmade handbags and one travel bag line from Indonesia that offer as much eye appeal as they do form and functionality.

Buyers everywhere have begun to snap up the handbags for reasons beyond fashion sense. First, with more than 30 handbag and travel bag styles to choose from, the lines offer lots of options. More important, however, is that a generous portion of the proceeds from every handbag purchase goes to help the tsunami victims of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. The latter is a story of hope, help and healing for the people of Banda Aceh, and a tale of a path less taken for Laga founders Roy and Louise Van Broekhuizen.

What started as a short-term assignment to bring volunteer teams and distribute funds donated by members of Saddleback church to those hit hardest by the devastating tsunami event a month earlier turned into an ongoing personal effort for Roy and Louise, who created Laga Designs International as a way to continue helping the victims of the tsunami-ravaged country. It was following their initial visits to Banda Aceh when the Van Broekhuizens decided that manufacturing high-quality handbags could help them help the tsunami victims on an ongoing basis.

“We began manufacturing handbags after I had made several visits the tsunami-torn area of Banda Aceh,” explains Roy. “I was asked by Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA, to lead volunteer efforts in Banda Aceh in January 2005. We didn’t know the trip would put us on a path to a lifelong mission, but it has become our personal goal to help the people hardest hit by the tsunami to rebuild their lives.”

The Van Broekhuizens put their money where their mouths are, making regular visits to the Banda Aceh area to work side by side with the locals to build homes and care for the sick and needy. Currently, Roy and Louise are leaving for Indonesia November 13, 2009, this will be Roy’s 21st trip since the tsunami December 26, 2004, lending much needed helping hands to the Indonesian people.

“The devastation left behind in the region of Banda Aceh continues to be heart breaking,” says Louise, who finds it difficult to hold back tears whenever she speaks about the people there. “They are still rebuilding now and still need a lot of help. In our manufacturing center, we started with 12 women August 2006, today we are supporting 300+. We want to help provide a new life for the people of Banda Aceh. We cannot give them back the loved ones they lost, but we can do a lot to help them rebuild their area’s infrastructure as we help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”

It takes almost a full day to make an average size handbag, almost a week for the large travel bags, the bags are made on a single pedal treadle machine as shown here by our manager from Indonesia, Hana, when we flew her to the US and had her demonstrate at AccessoriesTheShow in Las Vegas.

To read the whole story behind the creation of the company and how Roy and Louise hope to change the world of the tsunami victims … one handbag at a time … visit Laga Handbags. Learn:

Who makes all the handbags and why – All Laga Design International handbags are handmade by the local artisans of Indonesia. It is the hope of Roy and Louise that the memory of what happened to these gentle people on December 26, 2004 will remain in the hearts of those around the world so that work to rebuild their lives can continue.

More about Roy and Louise van Broekhuizen – A former VP of International Business Development for Online Trading Academy and owner of several businesses, Roy has partnered with wife Louise to create a truly unique and charitable handbag company.

What’s so different about Laga Designs International – Aside from manufacturing beautiful, high-quality, one-of-a-kind handmade handbags, the company was formed to provide employment and income for those who lost their livelihoods as a result of the tsunami disaster. By hiring and training local victims, Roy and Louise hope to help the people of Indonesia restore their economy and infrastructure.

To learn how a simple handbag purchase can help support the victims of the tsunami and to view Laga’s product lines, visit Laga Handbags. To schedule an interview with Roy and/or Louise, contact Sandra McGinty at 949.291.2265.

About Roy and Louise Van Broekhuizen

Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1948, Roy fled Indonesia in 1957 to Holland, immigrated to the US (Oregon City, OR) in 1961 and 1970 on a soccer scholarship from Lewis & Clark College. Simultaneously, he pursued entry into the music business as a professional guitar player. His musical dreams were realized in the early 1970s, as he opened for Ike and Tina Turner, and opened for Jimi Hendrix and other groups. He then moved on to the business world, starting a number of import/export/international trade businesses (exporting American products to SE Asia), as well as a 300-seat restaurant, a catering business, a construction company, and a mortgage business in Southern California. Managing a number of large operations, Roy became one of the first day traders in the world in June 1997, eventually became VP of Sales and Marketing for Online Trading Academy, a company specializing in teaching how to trade for a living.

Louise Van Broekhuizen was born in The Hague, Holland, in 1955, immigrating to Pasadena, Calif. in 1961, where she eventually attended Torrance High School and El Camino Community College. She co-owned a variety of businesses and became involved in the mortgage loan business, where she was responsible for processing and underwriting mortgage loans for her own mortgage company (Harvest Mortgage Inc.) as well as DiTech, Consumer Portfolio Services and First Bank. Louise is a very organized, detailed and focused individual, traits that come in pretty handy working alongside Roy in the tsunami area of Banda Aceh, importing handbags and other products from Indonesia.

About Laga Designs International Handbags

Laga offers two distinct styles of handbag, no two the same aside from quality manufacturing practices. techniques. Delightfully distinctive, Laga handbags offer something for everyone in style and functionality. Laga is currently accepting applications from those interested in becoming Laga Handbag Consultants on a part-time or full-time basis here in the United States. Laga is also looking for party hostesses, distributors, and volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations of the company. For more information or to apply, please contact Roy or Louise by phone at 714.623.3671 or 714.623.3672.

For more information, contact:

Sandra K. McGinty, Public Relations Director

949.291.2265

We were pleasantly surprised to find that the Department of Tourism in Indonesia is featuring Laga Handbags in an effort to increase the tourism in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia!

Check out this website link:
http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/video/aceh+bags/

We also invite you to become a fan of Laga Handbags on Facebook!
Click here to join us and get all the latest updates and information!

How would you like to carry a handbag, purse, wallet, or tote autographed and once owned by a celebrity? Or perhaps you just love a good designer bag. If so, read on…

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. This is the reason our organization, Friends of Child Advocacy, has asked celebrities across the nation to open their closets and look in their hearts. With the generous donations of actors, news anchors, musicians, writers, and other celebs, we will be hosting an online auction in April that promises to be quite remarkable!

All proceeds from the handbag auction will benefit the  Kane County Child Advocacy Center located in Geneva, Illinois.

Laga Handbags was asked to participate in this auction, along with other celebrities and their handbags, such as Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and many, many more! Sit back and travel through their site to learn more about this organization and enjoy viewing the bags they will be offering (click here and scroll down to the bottom to see Laga’s handbag).

We were proud to be asked to join many other celebrities in an effort to help prevent child abuse. And we look forward to being involved in many more such events in the future!

PS: Check out the other links on which Laga Handbags have been featured lately:

too busy gals: Laga OPEN HOUSE
By Jessica and Alexis
Everyone attending will have the opportunity to purchase their Laga handbags at a 70% discount from full retail. For example, an Abadi, which has a full retail value of $144.95 and normally sells at a home show for $119 would cost you …

suede leather bag | salusinc.com
By Will
One such company is Laga Handbags, which helps women who were survivors of the tragic tsunami of 2006 in Sumatra, Indonesia. The women workers of Indonesia are able to learn skills for a lifetime while providing a valuable …

Fashion-Network.com Featured Videos

Handbags of Hope…..: Laga Handbags in BoHo magazine
Friday, January 23, 2009
Laga Handbags
I was in Borders yesterday (always a dangerous place) in search of Bead & Button magazine when a different one caught my eye. Mainly because instead of the usual high gloss paper, this magazine uses a …

Help those in Need with Charity Bags

Laga Handbags Combo

Another option to consider when buying an Indonesian handmade handbag is to shop for charity bags (or charity purses). Charity bags are made by those in Indonesia who need the money for daily food and supplies. Some companies in the United States offer to buy the handbags and resell them to Americans or through the Internet. A few companies will even train the workers and provide sewing and embroidery supplies to work with. One such company is Laga Handbags (online), which helps women who were survivors of the tragic tsunami of 2006 in Sumatra, Indonesia. The women workers of Indonesia are able to learn skills for a lifetime while providing a valuable service to handbag lovers.

When choosing a company for handmade handbags, research online to find companies that offer authentic Indonesian handbags, not replicas. The real handmade handbags are usually priced from 35 up to 399, depending on the style and size of the bag. Companies should provide detailed information about how and where the handbags are obtained, and where the company is located. Look for companies that are upfront about their procedures and customer policies.

A handmade handbag from Indonesia can also be a memorable surprise as a gift for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, or other occasions. The handbags are reliable and affordable, and the remarkable craftsmanship of Indonesian women makes them highly desirable in the fashion world. Go online today to find that perfect  for you!

Laga Handbags Combo

Roy and Louise van Broekhuizen of Laga Designs International, Inc. were dubbed “boneheads” (people who ignore experts and conventional wisdom, follow their hearts and achieve great success against steep odds) by local Orange County Boneheads Restaurant Click here to read the entire article!

Laga Design Boutique Dec 6th By maliahill(maliahill) Laga Handbags are handmade by women who survived the tsunami in Indonesia. Every bag sewn and sold brings hope for a better tomorrow. An average-size bag takes almost a full day to complete; each piece is an amazing work of art! … Saddleback College Fashion - http://saddlebackcollegefashion.blogspot.com/   You Are Cordially Invited       3rd Annual L a g a   D e s i g n s  I n t e r n a t i o n a l ,  I n c . H o l i d a y   B o u t i q u e   we invite you to do your holiday shopping December 6th 10:00am to 3:00pm   SAVE 10% to 50% ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE*   40 Summerfield - Irvine, California (in Woodbridge)   949-654-8360   ** CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS **   refreshments will be served      * GUARANTEED SAVINGS APPLIES TO WEBSITE PRICING USING COUPONS TO BE DRAWN AT TIME OF PURCHASE ONLY (other coupons not valid with this promotion)

The BBC News released a story today regarding the new Tsunami warning system that was launched

By Lucy Williamson
BBC News, Jakarta

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Indonesia has launched a new tsunami early warning system, designed to give people in coastal areas enough time to escape tsunamis before they reach land.

But experts involved in setting up the system admit that some areas of the country, including the province of Aceh, are not fully protected by it.

The project is a direct result of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami which hit the country in 2004.

A quarter of a million people died, more than half of them in Aceh.

‘Time delay’

The new early warning system was launched in Jakarta by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

But Dr Lauterjung, a spokesman for the German government which is assisting in the programme, said that deep sea buoys - the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (Dart) system - responsible for detecting changes in sea levels had not yet been installed around the islands of Bali, Flores and the northern part of Sumatra, which includes Aceh, meaning there would be a “time delay” in predicting a tsunami.

DART EARLY WARNING SYSTEM 1. Recorder on seabed measures pressure and sends data to buoy. 2. Buoy also detects changes in sea level and motion. Tide gauges, usually sited on land, detect tidal changes. 3. Information is transmitted via satellite to ground stations which assess risk of tsunami.

Around a third of the seismographs stipulated in the government’s plan are also not yet in place.

And Dr Sri Woro, the head of Indonesia’s meteorological agency, said there were still what she called “infrastructure problems” in making the network of sensors and stations work smoothly together.

Tuesday’s ceremony marked the formal launch of the system, which is expected to be fully completed by 2010, though much of it is already operational.

Since the Indian Ocean tsunami four years ago, Indonesia has experienced two other waves along its Javan and Sumatran coastlines.

The last of these, in September last year, was successfully predicted by the new system.

The new system relies on three main parts: first, seismographs warn of any earthquakes that are likely to trigger a tsunami, then satellites monitor changes in the earth’s crust, while tide gauges and deep-sea buoys measure whether sea levels are actually changing as a result.

Indonesia sits at the meeting point of three of the earth’s tectonic plates and almost 60% of its vast coastline is at risk of tsunamis.

The new network has been built with the help of several foreign donors, including Germany, Japan and China.

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It has been nearly four (4) years since that fateful day, December 26, 2004, the day that changed the lives of many people, not only the areas affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis, but also of people all around the world as we joined together to help bring restoration.Roy and I were two such people. Through the devastation suffered by so many,  our experiences have shown us that a lot of good things have come to pass as a result. We have a forever-bond with the people of Aceh (”land of the beautiful people”) and we will continue to do everything we can to help them help themselves.Thank you to all of you who have come alongside our efforts to help them rebuild and restore hope. On behalf of all those who suffered and continue to do so, we are indebted to you.

By dariuslauffer
One such company is Laga Handbags (online), which helps women who were survivors of the tragic tsunami of 2004 in Sumatra, Indonesia. The women workers of Indonesia are able to learn skills for a lifetime while providing a valuable …

Cookie-cutter fashion handbags are a dime a dozen, and thousands of them are produced in factories and sold in every town. But handmade handbags are delightful, rare treasures that any woman can be proud of. When a handbag is handmade, it is unique in many ways and reflects the skill and creativity of its maker. Many women in Indonesia choose to hand-stitch handbags to earn a living for their families. Their handbags are beautifully embroidered with amazing designs, but yet they usually possess the same or better quality as any factory-made handbag.

If you’re just yearning to own an elaborate - but unusual - handbag, here are some great tips. Let’s explore what types of Indonesian handbags are available and how to choose the right one for you.

Look for Practicality

Before falling in love with a certain design, be sure the handbag will meet your everyday needs. Do you need the handbag for work or play? Do you plan on using it every day or only for special evenings out on the town? Also, consider how many items you will need to carry in the handbag. Handmade handbags come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They range from petite to very large travel handbags. Some come with shoulder straps while others have hand straps. There are even very small make-up carriers for trips. It depends on how and where you plan to use it.

Choosing a Design and Color for Your Handmade Handbag

Handmade handbags come with a variety of styles and designs. Embroidery is used to create unique patterns such as diamonds, curved lines, circles, stars, and floral patterns. Indonesian handbags are often creatively labeled to express the type of design and color on the handbag. The words gift, live, great, eternal, recover, morning, believe, and so forth reflect the personality behind the purse as well as the style and color. Choose a style that matches several of your outfits, or that blends well with your body shape and hairstyle or color.

For spring and summer, there are colors such as red, cream, light blue, or olive. For fall and winter, colors such as black, dark brown, dark blue, and silver are excellent choices.

Help those in Need with Charity Bags

Another option to consider when buying an Indonesian handmade handbag is to shop for charity bags (or charity purses). Charity bags are made by those in Indonesia who need the money for daily food and supplies. Some companies in the United States offer to buy the handbags and resell them to Americans or through the Internet. A few companies will even train the workers and provide sewing and embroidery supplies to work with. One such company is Laga Handbags (online), which helps women who were survivors of the tragic tsunami of 2006 in Sumatra, Indonesia. The women workers of Indonesia are able to learn skills for a lifetime while providing a valuable service to handbag lovers.

When choosing a company for handmade handbags, research online to find companies that offer authentic Indonesian handbags, not replicas. The real handmade handbags are usually priced from $35 up to $150, depending on the style and size of the bag. Companies should provide detailed information about how and where the handbags are obtained, and where the company is located. Look for companies that are up-front about their procedures and customer policies.

A handmade handbag from Indonesia can also be a memorable surprise as a gift for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, or other occasions. The handbags are reliable and affordable, and the remarkable craftsmanship of Indonesian women makes them highly desirable in the fashion world. Go online today to find that perfect handmade handbag for you!