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GENERATING JOBS AND INCOME
Project Name: “A Chance for the Blind” Project Leaders: NGO “Luminatorul” and IG “Teilic Nicolai” Location: Soroca
Moldova’s difficult transition to a market economy left several factories bankrupt or shut down, and a number of people lost their jobs. In Soroca, the visually impaired citizens of initiative group Teilic Nicolai got hit from both sides: when no one could afford to update equipment, the specialized factory where they worked ceased operations, and due to their physical disability they were unable to find equivalent work. “We are tired of extending our hands for money and help from merciful people; it is high time for us to solve our own problems,” said leader Nicolae Teilic. So, the initiative group united their efforts to form NGO “Luminatorul” (the one giving light), while also organizing meetings to identify possibilities for employment.
After conducting some market research, the group decided to purchase specially-adjusted equipment (for the visually impaired) in order to produce and sell vegetable and fruit crates needed by farmers in northern Moldova. A local factory has agreed to offer space to produce the crates and to sponsor social events like concerts and social gatherings for people who are sight impaired. Project roles have been divided between members of the initiative group and their families. Group members will plan production and make the crates, while family members will help identify clients, sign contracts, advertise and sell to farmers. Citizens will also help with needed factory repair and will plant trees to create a mini-park for the employees. The initiative group itself will monitor all grant funds and spending. Once production is underway, net income (after salaries and production costs) will be used to assist other visually impaired, providing groceries and sponsoring social events.
Project Name: “Opening a Bakery and Shop” Project Leader: IG “Vera Iachimova” Location: Visoca, Soroca
Distant from the highway and having a poor road into town, the citizens of Visoca are often short on fresh bread or special bakery products needed for traditional festivities during weddings, christenings and funerals. Meanwhile, many young village women are urged to leave their families in order to find work and earn money abroad. Thus, citizens from Visoca decided to open a local bakery and bread shop. At least eight young women will be trained by the Raion Labor Office in bread production and will then work at the bakery when it opens.
“The bread that gets to us is old and hard,” said the leader of the group, “and maybe now is the time when we can use our knowledge and minds to implement this project.” The initiative group has already raised 6,000 Moldovan Lei and will collect construction materials necessary to prepare a space offered free-of-charge adjacent to a mill owned by a local businesswoman. Citizens will evaluate bread products and make comments in a “suggestion box” installed at the bakery entrance. Schoolchildren will be in charge of disseminating information on a message board and via local newspaper and radio. Once opened, children will be encouraged to come to the bakery and see how bread is made, and some of them might even find jobs there as the bakery succeeds and expands.
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