Handbags that are changing the worldLouise van Broekhuizen is helping to save the lives of tsunami victims one handbag at a time.
The Indian Ocean earthquake in December 2004 caused a wave of tsunamis to hit eleven countries, killing more than 225,000 people and affecting the lives of many more around the world. When we think of the billions of dollars of relief aide sent to these countries and the amazing ways everyday people pitched in to help, fashionable handbags aren't the first thing that come to mind. Laga Bags is hoping to change that misconception. This unique company has created a chic opportunity for Americans to accessorize in style and play a powerful role in redeveloping a local economy. Louise van Broekhuizen and her husband, Roy, both of Indonesian heritage, desperately wanted to help survivors of the tsunami in their homeland. When their church raised relief funds to directly support victims, Roy volunteered to personally deliver the aide to Aceh—a major city on the northern tip of Sumatra, close to the epicenter of the quake. About six months after Roy began traveling back and forth, Louise was overcome with the desire to do more. She eventually quit her underwriting job in the finance sector and joined her husband in his efforts. "You can't experience relief work like that without it really changing your life," Louise says. She knew she had to do something more but didn't know exactly what it was going to be. Then one day, Louise came across gorgeous, ornate bags from a local craftsperson and had to learn more. The unique style and construction of the bags was indigenous to the Aceh culture. They are all sewn freeform and hand-guided on a treadle—if you've never seen one of these machines, imagine a Medieval torture device—intricate and time-consuming to make. "Think patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time," Louise says. "It's a lot of detail and such a fine art." Originally, she just wanted to sell a few bags and donate the money but she soon realized her calling was much larger than that. "We were bringing boxes back," she says. She decided to start her own factory and hire locals who were devastated by the tsunami. That way, she would sell handmade products while also employing victims and improving the overall quality of their lives. After a few adjustments to the original product----the slightly altered style now comes with cell phone pockets and upgraded hardware---Laga Bags was formed in 2006. The interest within the community was so great they decided to hire a project manager and start a training program. Since making the bags requires such great skill, the intensive program lasts 30 days. Workers are trained in the art of embroidery and learn various business skills. "If at the end of the program we find they aren't particularly skilled in embroidery we find other things for them to do," Louise says. They also are involved in other micro-enterprises and have a recycling program where employees make boxes and paper out of recycled paper. Amazingly, Louise and her husband don't take a salary from the business. 100% of the profits go back into the company to fuel growth and enable a larger employee base. "For me, the best part about this company is it allows empowered women in the U.S. to help empower women who were otherwise powerless," says Louise. "I love that and think it's changing lives for the good." We couldn't agree more. text by jennifer iacovelli |
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