Crafts for a Cause: Helping the less fortunate Pinoy

Filipino lifestyle retail chain Kultura Filipino celebrated on Tuesday the first anniversary of its Crafts for a Cause program which brings together handicrafts and other products from livelihood organizations all over the Philippines.

“These products are made for underprivileged members of society trained by various foundations through livelihood programs aimed at enriching their lives and making them self-sufficient,” the store said in a statement.

The program started with 16 organizations which supported local artisans that created products hailing from as far north as the Cordilleras and as far south as Basilan. Kultura said Crafts for a Cause has helped in the sustainability of the organizations’ livelihood programs, which translated to increased productivity and income for the foundations.

“We’re not just helping foundations, but the livelihood of Filipinos who are part of the foundation. We started at 16 foundations and it has grown to 23 foundations already,” Division Merchandise Manager Aida Ursua told philstar.com.

Among the store’s partners is the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology which has expanded its livelihood program, teaching skills from the New Bilibid Prison inmates to jails in other regions. Crafts for a Cause has also helped a number of Bajau women generate their own income through the Claret Samal Foundation’s mat weaving program.

The project has also tapped the Gawad Kalinga in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, which helped families bring food to their table and provide school allowance to their children.

“It’s our corporate social responsibility because Kultura Filipino is promoting the Filipino craftsmanship. We’re really helping to build business and supporting the family,” Ursua said, adding that 60% of the retail chain’s customers are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and foreigners.

“The foreigners appreciate the craftsmanship and then of course the OFWs, they buy pasalubong,” she said.

Kultura Filipino’s stores are located at SM Makati, SM Megamall, the Block at SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Cebu and selected SM Department Stores.