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Working again with Lifestart Foundation
Happy for Stoyan to share the adventure! Our work in Hoi An October/November 2014
This is a blog past due!
How wonderful it was to introduce Stoyan and his world-famous dimples to the workshop ladies. He was a hit! They can now feel settled that I have finally “found a man” and the endless questioning of “Why you no have husband” has ceased. This was a real concern for them over the past years. Although I should have known I was not off the hook. The next line of questioning continues with “Why you no have baby?” SIGH.
But besides gobbling down all the amazing food and defending our childless world adventure, we had a much more serious mission in Vietnam. Stoyan and I agreed to donate our time 100%!t(MISSING)o Lifestart Foundation charity while we were in country, and boy were we put to work!
Our biggest job – The NEW Lifestart Foundation Workshop. The Workshop was started by Karen and yours truly back in 2011. It was a place where those from disadvantaged situations, mostly disabled, could be trained to make fine arts and crafts and sell their products for a sustainable income. It has also grown into a place where tourists
The New Workshop
The initial concept for the front boutique. Design and computer rendering by Stoyan :) can participate in fun classes such as traditional lantern making, painting or even Vietnamese language lessons (rated 100%!o(MISSING)n
Trip Advisor!) . Yet Lifestart Foundation Workshop struggles with 2 major issues; First, it has much outgrown it’s small space, and second, it is off the beaten path making it difficult for tourists to find.
But in September 2014 we received good news. Lifestart Foundation was able to secure a new space at an affordable price.. The space would include the office headquarters, a tourist class area, local artist studio, the makers working space, a new tea lounge, and the boutique/shop for sales. The only challenge was that there were so many challenges to getting it ready for business…a leaking roof, colonies of bats living in the rafters, fun things like this. OK so it was also dirty and rundown but the space itself was AMAZING. It was in the old quarter, the location was perfect. It just needed some creative vision, and a lot of TLC.
OK Stoyan/Sherry –yes this would normally take a team of designers over a year to tackle, but could you kindly design this space in 1 month? Remember to consider the rainy season, and
Reception Counter
Stoyan designs a few "funky" and different key pieces for the workshop. Designed in layers so they can easily be disassembled and relocated during flood time. that the 1
st floor will flood each year, so everything will have to be able to break down easily and brought to the 2
nd floor. Remember to make room for disabled bikes to come in and out of the space. Also please remember Hoi An has very limited supplies and vendors so pretty much anything you think of won’t be possible. Last but not least everything has to be approved by the government...GOOD LUCK!
Well, these challenges were left to a very optimistic pair. And after many rounds of concepts and drafts, we were still able to get somewhat of a design in place. We used and re-purposed existing furniture, worked within budget and experimented with countless creative solutions. Stoyan even designed a few custom key pieces of furniture. All said and done, we think we’ve left pretty good direction on the space, many things were able to be completed while we were there. Karen took over with detailed instructions on finishing out the rest. The new workshop opened officially March 1
s and although there’s plenty more to do, we’re all quite proud of what was able to be accomplished.
WELL DONE STAFF OF VOLUNTEERS LIFESTART FOUNDATION!
Check Out What Else We've Done!
New Product Designs: Including recycled incense holder, cut card designs, travel bags and new packaging.
Check out the full product range here > Stoyan as Lifestart Foundation Photographer: Stoyan captured some GREAT pictures for Lifestart Foundation. Check them out here:
View Stoy's Photos Lifestart Foundation Makers > View Stoy's Photos Educational Scholarship Students > Want To Support Us?
Please consider a contribution to our annual fundraiser click here > Any amount is appreciated!
BE SURE TO SCROLL BELOW AND VIEW THE ALL THE IMAGES!
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Leslie Jane
non-member comment
absolutely wonderful!!!
This is my most favorite blog EVER. Love the story, love the photos, love that you shared this with Stoyan, the ladies have settled down, and you both have given so much! I love the new workshop and all of the recycled details. And the colors are fantastic. GREAT JOB!!!!!