Projects
02.05
Rice Cultivation:
BridgeWorks facilitates the cultivation of rice by and for Children’s Homes. Rice provides a staple food for the homes, and excess harvest provides seed for the following season, and sometimes funds towards the purchase of other food. BridgeWorks assists by sourcing initial funding for rice seedlings, capital for equipment needed, etc. Land is also needed to provide a long-term sustainable environment for the Homes as well as on-going rice production. BridgeWorks assists by sourcing funds for land purchase.
Agricultural development (pig, chicken, fish and vegetable farming):
BridgeWorks facilitates the development of other agricultural projects that have the potential to sustain and also provide income for Children’s Homes. Pig, chicken and fish farming all provide much needed nutrition for the homes, provide income for other expenses, and give opportunity for skills development for the youth of the Homes. BridgeWorks assists by sourcing initial funding for younglings and breeding stock, capital for equipment needed, etc. Land is also needed for these projects, and is combined with the land requirements for rice cultivation and residences. BridgeWorks assists by sourcing funds for land purchase.
Fair Trade product Development and Production:
Coffee: BridgeWorks sources and sells Arabica coffee grown by local hill-tribe Coffee farmers. Proceeds from coffee sales support BridgeWorks projects.
Calico Grocery Bags: Youth in the BridgeWorks Transition program will manufacture these for sale. They are also hand-painted by those with some artistic flair! The youth are paid (personal income) by BridgeWorks for this work, and any extra profits from the sale of the bags support BridgeWorks projects.
Income Generating Projects:
BridgeWorks aims to identify marketplace opportunities for the developing of projects that are suitable for the young people of BridgeWorks. This is for the purpose of skills training, as well as eventual financial independence for the participants.
Current projects being developed include a sewing project, and a local food production project. It is envisaged that both these projects will become self-funded.
A third project is the development of a Workshop, which will provide training and employment opportunities in technical / mechanical / maintenance skills, etc.
LINC program (extended foster family care):
Planned program to match children in the highest risk category for trafficking with willing families for the opportunity of developing long-term extended ‘family’ relationships. To visit and interact with these families on a regular basis.
BridgeWorks Centre:
Centre incorporating residential care, nurture and training of ‘transitioning’ youth; external programs for children residing in the children’s homes (eg – after school, weekend and holiday programs); emergency accommodation for high risk children in crisis; and a place for coming together for shared events of the various children’s homes. Development of this is family-focused care. The Centre is housed in a large double building suitable for multi purpose uses, on approx 5 rai (just under 2 acres) in Chiangmai. Opening from the 1st March 2010.
BridgeWorks Youth Transition Program:
The homes where the children live are usually only able to care for them until their schooling is completed. They become very vulnerable to trafficking from age 13 years on (sometimes earlier), and so many do not even finish school. (Most trafficking occurs via a relative, or broker acting on behalf of a relative). The BridgeWorks Youth Transition Program is a co-operative program of the various children’s homes seeking to develop pathways that enable the children / youth to continue to be cared for, loved and also trained, as they need to leave the children’s homes.
To be administered from the BridgeWorks Centre – residential care and training for youth who have finished or need to leave school (This is often mid-teens, depending on risk as well as academic assessment). Includes social and individual skills development, assistance with academic upgrading, vocational training or assistance with, internship and income-earning opportunities, on-going assistance for long-term social and employment stability.
Educational / Vocational Youth Scholarships:
To fund / enable further education and provide a viable future option for those in their mid-teens. These funds will allow for living costs and education/training costs to enable them to learn a trade and ultimately paid employment. Sponsors that can commit to $50 (AUD) a month per youth are being sought for this (up to 4 sponsors per youth are needed).
Pastoral Care, Training, and other Support of Children’s Homes Carers:
BridgeWorks Co-operative aims to provide support for the carers / leaders of the children’s homes. This includes facilitating of appropriate training, pastoral care, opportunity for rest, breaks, mutual support, etc
Itinerent Child Pastoral Carer:
BridgeWorks Co-operative aims to provide a Centre-based pastoral carer that can provide emotional and spiritual support to the children resident in the children’s homes.
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