Well, this week is shaping up to be incredibly productive and one of the most satisfying since my arrival here in Leribe. Not too many days into my stay I became very aware that the business environment functioned at a far different pace to that with which I was accustomed to. The differences in the pace of change and swiftness of communication have been a welcome adjustment as the level of face-to-face interaction is greatly enhanced bringing with it more moments of genuine conversation. For example, when arriving at a meeting of any kind, no matter the level of formality, there is a proper social sequence and code of conduct to follow. Upon arriving and greeting the individual or group everyone needs to take a seat whereupon introductions and background history will be laid out. As I am new to the country this is a process that is necessary even if you have previously met someone. The challenge to this business style is that I have already had to work on the required patience to allow for the system to function properly.
Even with some of these challenges I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish since my last post. Today was a milestone for The G.R.O. Foundation as the Artisans Collective and the bo-me(women) received their Associations Trade License from the Government of Lesotho to sell their products within the country. The significance of this license is that we can now expand our sales and distribution to help the bo-me build on their current successes. We are very proud of this achievement and want to congratulate ‘Me Mathabang and ‘Me Mamabula on clearing another hurdle.
Secondly, the Grannies Poultry Project and the bo-nkhono (grandmothers) invited me to present their first business training and savings seminar. These women have dedicated their time over the past year to the success of one of their community’s first successfully run Basotho social enterprises. Having familiarized myself with the work they have already put into the project I was more than pleased to be their first presenter. The night was dedicated to some of the fundamentals including saving strategies to cover essential overhead costs, inventory management, bulk purchase discounts, and profit distribution to fund their social programming requirements. This is a group of bo-nkhono that are presenting an excellent example for the youth in their community and I am thrilled to be able to assist them in any capacity they require. The plan is to continue providing them with business training and assisting them to renovate their existing poultry facility. Please be on the look out for ways that you can get involved with the Grannies project as we launch our upcoming Gifts of Hope online catalogue.
To close out my post this week I want to emphasis that I am very fortunate to have had the chance to volunteer with The G.R.O. Foundation at such an exciting and fruitful period in its operations. To have the chance to work with so many motivated wonderful individuals on a daily basis is an incredible gift. To all of the friends I have met and all of the donors that allow us to expand the scope and capacities of The G.R.O. Foundation here in Lesotho – Kea Leboha!
Khotso Salang hantle.
(Peace stay well)
Thuso Selialia.
Jason Clark.
artisans@grofoundation.org
Jason, Mamabula and Mathabang working on the Artisans catalogue
Posted under Notes from Lesotho
