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The sewers of Dasmarinas Cavite |
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Since my arrival last week I have been busy squeezing my time to meet
my relatives and friends and to work for Capalongas. Last Tuesday I
finally had a time to meet the dressmakers of Dasmarinas, Cavite. We
met at the house of Joe the supervisor of our workshop. But
before we went there Christy the coordinator prepared some
"miryenda" (snacks) of Filipino baked pastries: Ensaymada, Kababayan,
Spanish bread (with cold drinks it was really good). And for the
first time we met the newly recruited dressmakers of the workshop:
Mary, Natividad, Yolanda, Celia and Virgilia. The meeting was very
informal, we started by asking each of them to tell their stories
how they started up sewing and how long they have been working as a
dressmaker. All of the 4 dressmakers have a long time experiences (
ten years and more). Most of them claimed that they used to live in
the garment factory where they worked to save transportation expenses.
They were very excited for this project because this will enable them
to do the job they are good at and they dont need to be far from their
families.
One of the newly recruited is a buttoner of 3 kids. She
said she was very happy to do again this job because her children are
growing up and it will be nice to find an extra income. Almost of all
them lost their job when their garment factory shot down and with the
increasing unemployement rate finding back their former job is getting
harder and harder. Joe took the floor by explaining to them the
techicalities of making each of our blouses. Christy explained
too the procedures and operations as they listened with full
enthusiasm. I finally had my chance to explain about Fair Trade and
the main objectives of this project. And In their eyes all I could see
is hope and excitement. When the meeting adjourned as everybody left
in my heart I felt I have been re-charged with energy of this people.
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