Wow,whatayear2023was! ItwasayearofgrowthforSolidCrafts.This growthledtothecreationofmoresocialimpact butalsobroughtsomeoperationalandlogistical challenges.
Wefacedshortagesofspace,time,andstaff whichledtochaosbutalsosparkedcreative solutionsanddifficultdecisions.
Attheendof2023,wemadethetoughdecision toendourownbrand TalesbySolid andfocus exclusivelyontheB2Bmarket.Inthefuture,we willknockonthedoorsofwell-established brandsandretailers offeringtailor-made solutionsforthesebrands.
Weareconvincedthatlessismore Itistimeto focus
Wehaven’tforgottenwhyweexistinthefirst place Weexisttohavethehighestsocialimpact possibleonthelivesofthepeopleweaimtohelp Andwestrivetodothismosteffectivelyand efficiently
Thisideologyalsoappliestooursocialprograms thatsupportruralyoungsters teenagemothers andgirls,andourbelovedartisans Webelieve thatthemosteffectivewaytosupportvulnerable peopleistoinvestintheirself-worth,enabling themtochangetheirdestiniesthemselves Our socialapproachisfullybuiltonthisbelief
Wearesteppinginto2024withexcitementand thesameentrepreneurialspiritasalways!
Iwanttothankallofyou,sponsors,clients, volunteers,staffandSolidfriendsandfamilyfor yoursupport!Solidwouldnotbewhereitis withoutyou!
Let’skeeponrisingtogether,whileliftingothers
ThemaingoalofSolidistofight povertyandimprovetheliving conditionsofdisadvantaged peopleinsomeofthepoorer regionsinPeru,India&Kenya.By providingemployment opportunities(SolidCrafts/ Agriculture)andtoolsfor empowerment(SolidSocial),Solid helpsyoungpeople,girlsand womentogrowasolidfoundation fortheirownfuture.Allofthisis donewithspecialattentionto personaldevelopmentand awarenessofone’sstrengthsand capabilities. Theinterwovennessofenterprises andsocialprojectsisSolid’s trademark.ItreflectsSolid’s entrepreneurialmindsetand uniquebusinessmodel.Thisway everyclientofSolidcontributestoa betterworld.
Lift disadvantaged women out of poverty
KNITTING WORKSHOP
HANDICRAFT WORKSHOP
WEAVING BASKETS
Guiding teenage mothers
HOME VISITS PROGRAM
SHELTER HOME
SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM
Training for young rural entrepreneurs
TRAINING FOR YOUNG RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
ORGANIC QUINOA BUSINESS
INTEGRAL EDUCATIONAL FARM
Meaningfulimpactthrough ethicalhomewareand apparelproduction.
W E E M P L O Y
Crafts by Solid is all about tailor-madeproductsfortheB2Bfashionandinteriormarket Operating from our headquarters in Belgium we navigate all the challengesthatcomewithdesign,sourcing,productionorinternationallogistics,aftersalesandstorytelling Weofferconsciousbrandsandretailersanall-inoneservicewhilecreatinguniqueproductswithhigh-qualitycraftsmanship
wwwcraftsbysolidbe solidcrafts hello@craftsbysolidcom
Tales by Solid is our ownsustainablelabel, a lifestylebrand offering a mix of cosy, Peruvian alpaca knitwear and colourful Indian items It is a modern and contemporarybrandofready-madefashionandhomewareproducts,designedtolast
*Attheendof2023thedecisionhasbeenmadetostopourbrandTalesBySolidandinthefuturefocussolelyontheB2Bstrategy
wwwtalesbysolidbe talesbysolid hello@talesbysolidcom
B2B B2C
"BeforeIstartedworkinghere,Ididnthavea jobandIdidn'tgetmarriageproposals.Itis sinceIstartedworkingatPacesCraftsthatI havefoundagoodhusband.Hesupportsmea lotandthinksIshoulddowhatmakesmefeel mosthappy.IcouldstopworkingnowthatI ammarried,butIdon'twantto.EverythingI haveachievedhasbeenthankstoPaces Crafts.
WhenmysonMaxwas6monthsold,meand hisdadgotseparated,asourcontinuedfights wereemotionallyharmingMax. IcametoDiamantaoutofnecessity.Thesocial teamhasalwaysbeenagreatsupportsystem forme.Theyhelpedmepursuemygoalsand assistedmeinfilingacomplaintagainstMax's father,toobtainchildsupport. Allthesadnessandcryingfromourseparation tookatollonme.Thankstotheworkshopsand homevisitsfromthesocialteam,Ifeelat peacenow.Inolongerholdgrudges.Itrust myself,Ivelearnedtosaynoandtogivemore loveandtimetomyson.Ibelievethattogether, wewillovercomeanyobstacle.
LifehaschangedsinceIstartedtoweave baskets.Mychildrennowgotoschool,Ican buyfood,andclothes,lifeisbetternow.Ifeel good,itgivesmemoneyandIsleepwellat night.
Shashi
Thalia
Magdaline
407
artisansfindemploymentinour workshopinPeruorIndia Ourpartner Hadithicreatesemploymentforover 1900women.
IMPACT
2035 livesarepositively impacted
95 employeesarepartof theSolidfamilyinPeruorIndia. NO.OFSTAFF
€999,000 inturnoverin 2023 TURNOVER
32 B2Bclients
Ourworkshopsmadeproductsfor32 internationalclientsandourownbrand TalesbySolid.
EMPLOYMENTHOURS
256,320
employmenthoursledtothecreation ofover45,740beautifulhandmade products.
108 childrenofourartisanswerewelcomedinour childcare,initialschoolprogramorafterschoolcare.
99% ofartisansare female
Diamanta is Solid’s sustainable knitting and crocheting workshop in Ayacucho, in the middle of the Peruvian Andes. Our high-quality knits are custom-made for global fashion and home decor brands. But most of all this workshop creates employment for over 190 underprivileged women, providing them with training to become world-class knitters. The workshop even has a social team, that focuses on the development of personal skills and difficulties the women might face, as well as childcare services, a necessity for many. Empowerment through employment, and improving the living conditions of these women, that’s the goal! Because we believe that “If you empower a woman, you empower a community.
23employeesinproduction,childcareandthesocialarea
MATERIALS
TheworkshopcollaborateswithtopalpacayarnprovidersinPeru,offeringadiverse rangeofqualitiesandshadeswhileensuringinternationalstandards Alongside alpaca,oneofthemostluxuriousandfinestfibresofPeru,Diamantasources organiccottonyarns recycledfibres,andAndeanhighlandsheepyarn Ourmain suppliersincludeMichell IncaTops,andItessa Ourconnectionswithsmall-scale yarnsuppliersandlocalnaturaldyeworkshopsensurethatwecanaddress customerinquirieswithauthenticityandquality
SALES
-OrsoladeCastro BiggestgrowerswereGermanyandtheUK. Setupin2011
29 internationalclients
PRODUCTION
Wegrewinthenumberofhandmadeproducts,whichwaspositivelyfelton theworkfloor AlthoughwestillhaveapeakfromApriltoSeptember,wewere abletofillproductioncapacityallyearround,providingastableincometo alltheknitters
Alsoin2024westillexpectagrowthinhandmadeproducts
Challenges:
Highlytechnicalandcomplexknitworkrequiresmoretrainingandfollowup
Havinggoodcommunicationflowsbetweenover350peopleindifferent locations
30,508
productsweremade
growthinemployment
26%
Growthinturn-overin 2023
“Itisn’tenoughjustlooking forqualityintheproductswe buy,wemustinsistthat thereisqualityinthelivesof thepeoplemakingthem.“
HANDMACHINEKNITTING(44%)
HANDKNITTING(56%)
KNITTERS
Ourknittersareresilientandskilledwomen,primarilyfromtheQuechua ethnicgroup,ranginginagefrom18to65.Comingfrombackgroundsof povertyorextremepoverty,manyaremigrantsfromruralareasseeking betteropportunities.Amajoritydidntfinishhighschool.
Asignificantportion,60%,workdirectlyfromourmainworkshopinAyacucho, while40%enjoytheflexibilityofworkingfromhomeorfromoneofthe6 communitygroups,includingthosewithintheAyacuchoprison.
80% didntfinish basic education singlemothers
17% onlyspeaks Quechua 20%
80 womenliveina situationof violenceorare violentinthe upbringingof theirchildren.
Diamantahighlyvaluestheempowermentofitsartisans,focusingonpersonal developmentandempowermentbyprovidingsocialworkshopsandcoaching
WITHTHESUPPORTOFOURPARTNERSWILDEGANZEN,AYACUCHO(R),ANDTHE PERUVIANNATIONALEDUCATIONANDCHILDCARESERVICE.
Thankstooursocialteamweprovide:
-Individualhomevisitsfor80ofthemostvulnerableknitters.
-Groupworkshopsonleadershipskills.
-Regularhealthexercises(gymnasticsatwork)andhealthcampaigns, includingscreeningforcervicalcancer.
-Educationalsupportforknitterswhodreamofpursuingtheirdegree,in cooperationwithacentreforalternativeeducation.
-Workshopsonpositiveparentingandcombatinganaemia.
-Workshopsonoursustainabilitygoals.
Forthechildrenofourknitters,weprovide:
-On-sitechild-care(6months-3yearsold)
-Aninitialeducationprogram(3-5yearolds)
-After-schoolcare(6-10yearolds)
87 childrenofknittersget childcare,educationor home-workclasses
26
knitterscontinuestudying andobtaintheirbasic, secondaryorhigher educationdegree
32
womengetsupport forthefamilyviolence theylivein,
7 decidetoreportit
Withthesupportofthe BelgianNGOCunina, 205children(ofknitters) and19teenagemothers haveBelgiangodparents, whoprovidefinancial supportforschool supplies,uniforms transportationandtuition feestohelpthemcontinue theireducation.
OurhandknittingworkshopisWFTO(since2017)&Promperu(since 2018)certified,whichrecognisesourcommitmenttothehighest standardsofsocialandenvironmentalperformance Thisasksfor continuousactionsinallareas In2023wefocussedespeciallyon environmentalawarenessamongstourteamandknitters,with workshopsonrecycling,andsavingenergyandwater
Paces Crafts is a social workshop in the heart of India’s northern region, Jharkhand, the second poorest state in India. With Paces Crafts, Solid aims to provide sustainable employment for tribal women living in rural areas around the city of Ranchi. By offering an honest income to these women, Solid wants to bring an alternative to human trafficking and the uncertainties and dangers of day labouring. Paces Crafts produces a wide variety of hand-embroidered, handwoven and crocheted products, all custom-made for conscious brands and retailers.
Weemployartisansfromallreligionsandtribalcommunities,somewith noformaleducationortraining
Weprovidepensionsavingsandhealthinsurancetoallregularartisans andemployees
Weprovidefreedaycareon-siteformotherswithyoungchildren
WITHTHESUPPORTOFOURPARTNERAYACUCHO(R)
OurIndianworkshopspecializesincreatingdistinctivehandmadeitems, utilizingrecycledsarifabricsandothernaturalfibressuchaswool,jute,and organiccotton Weincorporatetraditionalskillssuchashandweaving,the kanthastitchandcrochet,tocreatehandcraftedrugs,jackets cushions throwsandotheritems Sustainabilityguidesourchoiceofmaterialsand techniques,ensuringresponsibleandfairproductionpractices
79% ofstaffisfemale
2 newtechniquesMachinequilting&Rajaiblanketstitching
18teammembers photobysabelleLesser
75
AllourstaffareIndian, andourartisansare 100%female&tribal
In2023wefocusedonproductionforourownbrand,TalesbySolid,forour sponsorandpartnerRetailConceptsandforclientslikeVanderSarImport andScapa.
Revenueincreasedby195%,reachingasumof134,000€
15,232 productsweremade
femaleartisansearnanincomeinhandicrafts
81,479 ofproductionhours weregenerated
25 typesofproducts wentintoproduction
Ourartisansareresilientwomen,primarilyfromtheAdivasistribal communities,recognizedasbothanethnicminorityandadisadvantaged group.Thesecommunitiesoftenfacesocio-economicchallenges,including limitedaccesstoeducation healthcareandeconomicopportunities,and strugglewithissuesrelatedtolandrights.Thissocialbackgroundmakes havingajobessentialandhardtocomeby.Withtheincometheartisans earn,theymakesignificantcontributionstotheirhouseholdincome, supplementingtheincomeearnedbytheirhusbandswhoworkasday labourersinphysicallydemandingconditions.
Lifeforthesewomenisrootedintheruralareassurroundingtheworkshop, whichpresentsitsownsetofchallenges.Accesstoservicesandhealthcare necessitatesajourneytothecity,anddomesticviolence whichfrequently comeswithalcoholabuse,isawidespreadanddeeplyrootedproblem withintheirfamilies.
PacesCraftsvalueshighlytheempowermentofitsartisans,focusingonpersonal developmentbyprovidingsocialworkshopsandcoaching.
In2023wewereproudto:
Include23additionalartisansinthenationalpensionsavingschemeandhealth careprogram
Organizemanysocialactivities:InternationalWomen'sDay,WorldEnvironmental Day,YogaDay,FashionRevolutionDay atriptothezoo,EarthDay,…
Organizemanyappreciationactivities:Holicelebration,Mother'sDay,Paces foundationdaycelebration&aChristmasparty.
Organize3workshops-firstaidtraining,PersonalCleanliness&Maintenanceof MenstrualHygiene aworkshoponwomen'sempowerment
Organizespecialactivitiesforthekidsinchildcare:InternationalDanceDay,Happy ChocolateDay,Rakhi,… have21kids,1.5yearsto11years,onaverageinchildcare.
TheworkshopproudlyachievedcertificationfromtheWorldFairTrade Organization(WFTO)in2023.Thismilestonewastheresultofpracticesand policies,showingthatfairtradeisinSolid'sDNAandourfullsupplychain.
E N Y A
KHadithi Crafts, located in the Kasigau region of Southeast Kenya, creates handwoven baskets from sisal and palm leaves, blending traditional and contemporary designs. Named "Hadithi," meaning "story" in Swahili, the enterprise showcases the stories of skilled women artisans who craft these baskets to achieve financial independence in a job-scarce area. In a region that faces challenges like extreme drought and poaching, Hadithi provides a sustainable income source, enabling women to support their families and communities with an eco-friendly alternative. Profits from sales are reinvested into local women ' s groups and conservation efforts.
TONOURISHA TRADITIONALCRAFT
Handicraftsalesoffera waytopreservebeautiful traditionslikeweaving basketsandbeading jewellery,byallowing artisanstoevolve alongsidemodernmarket andeconomic developments Morethan this,itprovidesalearning platformforyounger generationstocontinue someofthepracticesof theirforbearers
WhenyoubuyHadithi handicrafts,youare activelyhelpingtoprovide anincomeforover1,900 womenfroman agriculturalcommunity. Situatedinsemi-arid areas,harvestsoftenfail duetoalackofrainand consequentlypovertyisrife –enforcingtheneedforan alternativeincome.
Almosthalfofourtalented artisansareatriskofliving inpoverty(Poverty ProbabilityIndex(PPI)2021) Buthere’sthegoodnews! Eachadditionalyearan artisanworkswithHadithi, decreasestheirpoverty likelihoodby189%,showing thatourcollectiveefforts aremakingarealimpact! Slowlybutsurely
Source:ThesisbyJennie Lester,NewcastleUniversity, 2021
HadithiCraftempowers womeninnumerousways. 83%oftheweaversfeel strongerandmoreskilled thankstoHadithiCrafts support,andawhopping 96%saytheirearning abilityimproved.
Source:ThesisbyJennie Lester,Newcastle University,2021.
Thisareaisastunningyet vulnerableecosystem hometovariedand abundantwildlife Hadithi salesassistinprovidinga sustainablealternativeto environmentallyharmful practiceslikethepoaching ofwildlifeanddestruction offorestsforcharcoal, timberandfarmland,hand inhandwith wildlifeworkscom
Notjustabeautifulbasket,butabasketchanginglivesofourKenyanartisans.
In2023,Hadithisecuredagenerous$20,000grantfromtheCignaGroupthrough theCommunityAmbassadorFellowshipproject ThisfundingallowedHadithi CraftstojoinforceswiththeKujuwaInitiative,developingtailoredhealthtraining modulesforover1200femaleartisans
Athoroughneedsassessment,leadtothecreationoffouressentialtraining modules:
Module1:Parent-ChildCommunicationonsexualhealthtopics
Module2:SexuallyTransmittedDiseases
Module3:Menstruation
Module4:Gender-BasedViolence
Theprojectsuccessfullytrained20localtrainers,whoimplementedmodules1and 2,reachinganimpressive2,318womenacrossall65womengroups exceedingthe targets
WITHTHESUPPORTOFOURPARTNERS,AYACUCHO(R)ANDTHECIGNAFOUNDATION.
2016 PARTNERSHIP SETUPIN
X3,5
HADITHIHAS
10
EMPLOYEES between2014and2023,the numberofartisansthat workwithHadithitripled.
10,725
LIVESIMPACTED
1,950
artisansaresupportedwith handicrafttraining, materials,amarketfortheir productandlifeskill training.
3
artisansreachedwith4 modulesonFemaleHealth Topics 2,380 trainingsforall1950 artisansonEthical f tices.
SUSTAINABILITY
In2023,HadithiCraftsmadesignificantprogressintheir sustainabilityjourney,byparticipatinginaNESTcoachingprogram andundergoingaWFTOsupplier’saudit,aspartofSolid’s certificationefforts TheyworkedtirelesslytoimplementtheirEthical CraftsPracticesPoliciesacrossall65artisancommunitygroups, establishingnewsystemsandlearningmoreabouttheirpointsof growth In2024aproperdyeingcentrewillbesetup,toreduceeven moretheimpactofdyesontheplanet
In2023,weproudlyachievedcertificationwiththeWorldFairTradeOrganization (WFTO),underscoringourcommitmenttosustainabilityandethicalpractices This milestonefollowedarigorousauditagainstall10WFTOprinciples,withparticular emphasisonopportunitiesforeconomicallymarginalizedproducers,fairtrade practices,fairpayment,goodworkingconditions,andcapacitybuilding These coreprinciplesalignseamlesslywithSolid'smission,affirmingourdedicationto creatingafairer,moresustainableworldthroughourbusinessoperations
0%ofdestroyed products -rejecteditems arealwaysresold ordonated 100% carbon-neutral shippingofour ownproducts
3supplierswere visitedoraudited in2023,monitoring fairtradepractices
Wageswereraised tomeetlocalfair payment standardsand additionalsocial benefitswere addedforartisans
Since2010,thesocial organizationDIA ('DesarrolloIntegral delAdolescente') hasbeen empowering vulnerable adolescentsto becomechange agentsintheirown development,in Ayacucho,Peru.
3%ofteenagersbetween12and17aremothers
Minorsfrom0to17yearsofageaccountformorethan70%of sexualassaultsinthecountry.
EverydayinPeru,upto11girlsbetweentheagesof10and14face pregnancy.4ofthemendupbecomingmothers.
Itisalarmingtonotethatthevastmajorityofthesecasesaretheresultofsexua abuseandthatabortionismostlyillegalinPeru.Thishighlightstheprofound generational,socio-economicandterritorialinequalitiesrootedingender inequality.
teammembers +volunteers
776 Setupin2015
2teammembers
ComprehensiveSexualEducation(CSE)iscrucialfor adolescentstounderstandtheirdevelopmentandmake informeddecisionsabouttheirsexualityandhealth.In Peru,however,sucheducationisntuniversallyprovided, teachersarenottrainedinthistopicandtaboosoftentake over.Theprojecthastrainedteachers,since2015, supportingthemwithsexeducationworkshopsandtools forstudentcoaching.Theprojectalsoincorporatedpeerto-peerlearningthroughmotivatedstudentleaders, aimingtoreducethehighratesofteenagepregnancies.
WITHTHESUPPORTOFOURPARTNERSWILDEGANZENAND AYACUCHO(R).
teachersfrom42schoolsreceivedtrainingonconducting workshopsthatcoverLifeSkills,Sexuality,andViolence preventionfortheirstudents Theygainedinsightsfrom coachingandacquiredtechniquestosupportstudentsin need
studentsengagedincreativeandplayfulworkshopson sexeducationandpersonaldevelopment,ledbytheir teachersorpeers.
teenagersaged15to17,inspiredbyworkshopsonselfesteem,leadership,andsexualhealth,sharedtheirinsights onpreventingunwantedteenagepregnancieswiththe broadercommunity.Theyemployedshortfilms, onialsfromteenagemothers,andmotivational hestoaddressmythsandemphasizethe tanceofrespectingsexualboundaries.Throughthe ecido(IDecide)publicawarenesscampaign,they erdiscussionsondecision-makingandconflict tion,advocatingforlocaleffortstocombatrising gepregnancies.
altostartpregnancypreventioneducationearlyasstudents awareofthesetopicsbutencounterdistortedinformation spiteitsimportance,fewfamiliesandteachersaddressit rehensively leadingstudentstounreliableinternetsources hoolhasseenissueslikeharassment,inequality,andgender lence highlightingtheurgentneedforpropereducation hismoandinequalityofopportunitiespersistamongstour nts,alongwithgenderviolenceanddiscrimination.There'sa lottodo"
aSoraprofesoradelaInsttucónEducatvaAbrahamVadeomar
Setupin2010
8teammembers
TheEMMAprojectstandswithteenagemothersinAyacucho Peru,providing crucialsupportandcounselling.Withourspecializedteamofnursesand obstetricians,weofferweeklyhomevisitsandworkshopsfocusedonparenting skillsandemotionalwell-beingtoensurethehealthydevelopmentofboth motherandchild nurturestrongparent-childbondsandboostself-esteem withinyoungmothers.
WITHTHESUPPORTOFTHEODFFOUNDATION,AYACUCHO(R)ANDMANYLOCAL PARTNERS.
TARGETGROUP
100teenagemothers
livinginasituationofpovertyand violence
age12to18,withachildunder3 withprecariouslodging
Mostofthegirlsgrewupinasituationof violence
-63%withdomesticviolence
-20%withchildabuse
-18%withparentswithalcoholabuse
-39%livewithouttheirparentspresent
whohaven'tfinishedhighschool lackingemotionalandfinancial support whowanttoparticipate
Intheirsearchforasafeanddifferentfuture,manygirlsfindthemselvesin anothercycleofviolentanddependentrelationships fromwhichtheystruggle toescapeduetofinancialdependencyandlackoffamilysupport.Judgement fromsocietyoftenleavesthemaloneintheupbringingoftheirchild.
76 girlshaveboyfriends whoarenotminors; onepartneriseven42yearsold
26 girlsbecamepregnant between13and14yearsofage
9 girlsareunder14yearsold
7mothersmentionedthattheir babieswerearesultof sexualviolence
IusedtocryatnightbecauseIthoughtno onewouldhelpme,feelingaloneandsad andIworriedthatIwouldneverreturnto school Butwhenyoucameintomylife,you assuredmethatIcouldgobacktoschool andthatyouwouldbetheretohelpme workthroughmyemotions.Iamsograteful thattheprojectreachedouttome,and withallthesupportI'vereceived,IknowI justneedtomakeaneffortandpush forwardformydaughter'ssake.
Ifeelthatitisgoingtobeverydifficultto saypositivewordstomybaby.Myparents raisedmewithshoutingandhittingand thatiswhatstayswithme Evennow sometimes,itmakesmeafraidand insecure.Iwantmybabytogrowup healthy,strongandwithoutfear.Forthat I willdowhateverittakes
Throughindividualhomevisitsandgroupworkshops,weworkon: Positiveparenting&healthyattachmentwiththechild(video-feedback)
Emotionsandtrauma(Arttherapy)
Educationalsupport
Preventionofsecondpregnancy(Familyplanning)
Preventionofviolence
Creatinganetworkforthesegirls,tofeelsupported.
100
teenagemothersare informedabout contraceptive (66%atthestart)
43
teenagemothersstartusing contraceptive (70didn’tatthestart).
99
teenagemothersknowwhere togoincaseofviolenceand candefendtheirrights! (58didntatthestart)
29
teenagemothersstepoutof aviolentlivingsituation!
79% ofteenage motherspositively connectwiththeir child (1%atthestart)
Schooldropoutratesamongsttheseyoungmothersareelevated(80%),oftena resultofinsufficientsupportfromtheirfamilies,andpartners,alackofchildcare optionsandmeans,aswellassocietalblamefortheirpregnancies.Asthis reinforcesanongoingcycleofpoverty,itiscriticalfortheprogram,tosupportthese girlsintheiracademicpursuits.
Ourteamaccompaniesthegirlsintheirenrolment,putsthemincontactwith availablescholarships,motivatesthemcontinuouslyandmonitorstheir educationalprogress.
40
teenagemothersretaketheirstudies andfinishanotheryearofschooling (49haddroppedout)
105
teenagemothershavegraduatedfrom highschoolthankstoourongoing educationalsupportsince2021
Anelhi13teammembers
TheResidentialCareCentrespecializesinthecareofteenagegirlsandteenage mothersandtheirchildren,victimsofdomesticandsexualviolence.The adolescentsarereferredbytheSpecialChildProtectionUnitorthecourtandare accompaniedinrecoveringfromthetraumauntilbeingreintegratedintotheir familyoruntiltheystartlivingindependently,forthosewhoreachtheageof majority.Mostgirlsstayforuptotwoyears,duringwhichtheirlifeskillsand emotionalwell-beingarestrengthened.
WITHTHESUPPORTOFAYACUCHO(R)ANDTHEPERUVIANINSTITUTEFORFAMILY WELFARE(INABIF).
TARGETGROUP
In2023,29teenagegirlsbetween12and17yearsold,wereaccompanied,6being pregnantormothers.
Adecadeago,wefoundedCARtofillavoidinspecializedcareforteenage mothers.Ithassincebecomearenownedcentreinthecapitalforsupporting youngmothersandsexualabusesurvivors.Theemergenceofsimilarstate-run centresprompteddiscussionsaboutthenecessityofourongoingNGO involvement.Inresponse,webuiltastrongnetworktolobbythistopicontothe politicalagendaandplannedCAR'stransitiontogovernmentmanagementwhile preservingitsmissionandquality.In2023,weadvancedthisgoalbysigninga cooperationagreementwithINABIFtotransferCAR’sresponsibilitiestothestate allwhilemaintainingourteamandobjectives.Despitechallenges were encouragedbythegovernmentssupportforourcentressustainability.
WhenIarrivedatCAR,Iwasagirlwho wantedtheshelterofaman that'swhat Iwaslookingfor,buthereatCARwith theeducatorsIlearnedtolovemyself, tolovemyson,totakecareofhim,I usedtogetangrywitheverything,but nowIunderstandthattheysaiditformy owngoodandIamgratefulthatthey weremysecondfamily.
IMPACT
Duringtheirstay thegirlsareaccompaniedbyamultidisciplinaryteamofhealthworkers, teachers,socialworkers andpsychologists,tointervenecomprehensively.Theaimisto workwiththefamilytowardsasafehomeenvironment,toreturnto.
REINTEGRATION
Includemovienights sports,arts,musictherapy, cooking,computerclasses, gardening,andoutings, essentialfortrauma recovery.
"Goingbacktoschool"beingreintegratedinthe schoolsystemgivesthe girlsagoodroutine, essentialfortheirrecovery
INDIVIDUALANDGROUP WORKSHOPS
Focusonenhancing personalabilities, understandingsexuality preventingviolence,and improvingparentingskills forteenagemothers.
ofthegirlsreturnedhomeor toafamilymember
ofthegirlsused contraceptive
ofthegirlswas emotionallystable
OCCUPATIONALACTIVITIES THEBESTWAYTOHELPACHILDISTOHELPITSMOTHER
Adolescentsreceivegroup andindividual psychotherapy,with specializedcasesreferred tolocalmentalhealth facilities Dailyactivitieslike breathingexercisesanda "calmhouse"forselfregulation furthersupport emotionalwell-being
ofteenagersreducedtheir traumaticsymptoms(PTSD)
ofteenagerscontinued theirstudies
FAMILYENGAGEMENT
Offerstraininginpositive parentingtechniquesto fosterstrongerfamilyties andasafehome environment.
ofteenagersdevelopeda skilltoearn moneyandcouldsave
Combating rural poverty and a lack of economic opportunities by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and market access, ultimately empowering a new generation of farmers in the Andes.
Setupin2011
DespitechallengingeconomicconditionsintheAyacuchoregion theteam managingtheMontefinofarmmadenewinvestmentstoboostboththeirbusiness andthecommunity'simpact.Theyfocusedonincreasingmilkandcheese productionandimprovingtheirfarmtourismserviceswhilecuttingdownontheir restaurantandrosegreenhouseoperations.Montefinoistheonlyfarminthearea thatmakeshigh-qualitymilkandcheese,whichcustomersappreciateandwhich haswonthenationalcheesecontestinthecapitalformanyyears. M O N T E F I N O
20fixedteammembers
LocatedintheAndes,atanaltitudeof3,800meters,theMontefinofarmwas originallysetupasatraininginstituteforfarmerswithdairycattle.Inrecentyears, activityatthefarmhasexpandedrapidly,ledbyalocalcollectiveof11shareholders andsupportedbySolid.Montefinoisnowacomprehensivefarm,withitsown cheese,yoghurtand49hectaresofcultivatedfieldswithtastyorganicstrawberries, blueberries,cutflowersandAndeancropslikenativepotatoesandtarwi.Montefino alsobreedspigs,guineapigs,chickensandtrout.Thefarmisnowwellknownforits agrotourismactivities,welcomingmanyvisitorsfromthecity,toexperiencethereal Ayacuchanfarmlife.EveryweekendMontefinoalsohousestheJOVEMproject, offeringavarietyofpracticallearningopportunitiesinmanyagriculturaltopics.
444,638
19,673 kgofnativepotatoes–anewproductatthefarm salesturnover
6% moremilkthan lastyear
16,528
38 cowsproducing190,778L ofmilk GROWINGSMARTER,NOT
7,973visitorsand Kgofcheese
1,538 peoplespendanightat Montefino
The JOVEM project, aimed at rural youth aged 14 to 22, was established to combat poverty, poor formal education and the lack of economic opportunities that drive rural youth to migrate to urban areas By offering a comprehensive three-year training program that focuses on entrepreneurial and agricultural skills, along with personal development JOVEM enables participants to become young successful rural entrepreneurs This approach not only seeks to improve their living conditions but also promotes sustainable agricultural development and reduces urban migration by encouraging productive diversification and innovation in rural areas
Conducted on weekends, the program makes use of the diverse learning environment at the Montefino Farm, equipped with a variety of animals, crops, a dairy processing plant, tourist facilities, and a restaurant, blending theoretical instruction with practical application
Setupin2016
4teammembers
TARGETGROUP
Theyoungstersintheprojectvoluntarilysignupfortheprojectattheirschools andareselectedthroughvariousevaluationstheycontributeamonthlyfeeof S./20(€5) whichcanbepaidincash,ingoods,orthroughlabour,ensuring familiesandyoungstersvaluetheireducationandparticipateactively.The averagefamilyincomeliesbetween€75-100,foranaveragehouseholdof5, indicatingpovertyorextremepoverty.
SupportedbytheCollibriFoundation
Intheirfirstyear studentsengagein8monthsofclasses.Theyapplytheirlearnings ingroupbusiness,enhancingsocialskillslikeself-esteem,communication, problem-solving,teamwork,decision-making riskassessment,andresponsibility.
53youngstersofwhom98%finishedtheirfirstyear 100%ofgrouploanswerepaidback
Intheirsecondyear,studentshave4monthsofclassestodevelopanindividual businessplan Uponapprovalandimplementationoftheseplans,participants receiveon-fieldtechnicalandemotionalsupport
44youngsters
40newbusinesswereimplementedwithaloanfromtheproject €3800inindividualbusinessloans
25%makesprofitafterthe4thmonthofimplementation
Inthethirdyear,studentsactivelyproducegoodsandgenerateincome Monthly visitsassesstheirtechnicalmanagement,production,sales loanrepayments,and venturesustainability Theyalsofacilitatepeerlearningandadvisecommunity members,sharingtheirexpertise
59youngsters
80%continuedwiththeirbusiness
22%facilitatedlearningprocessesfortheirpeersintraining
65%ofourstudentsareself-confident,havetrustinwhat theydo,appearassuredinfrontofothers,andspeakand actwithconfidence
Keyobstaclesforstudentsintheirbusinessventuresincludefinancialhurdlessuchasrising costsforgoodsandservicesandstrictloanrequirements Additionally, limitedsupportfromparentsandteachers,whoareoftenscepticalofstudents'capabilities orprioritizeacademicsuccessoverentrepreneurialactivities,affectsstudents motivationto engageintheproject
Theseventuresareinspiringduetotheir...
determination toovercome obstacles
goodbusiness andtechnical knowledge andhigh quality products strong capacity for innovation useof sustainable yetlowcost technologies
theirimpactonlocal diets,providingwith freshyetaffordable biologicalproducts, previously unavailable creation ofnew employment opportunities
provingthatyoungpeoplehavethedriveandaptitudetosucceed,creatingnew agriculturalopportunitiesandachangeinperspectiveamongstparentsandteachers
Asolarpumpnowhelpsovercomethedifficultiesofdrought!
Anurserywithnativeplantsmakesitpossibletosharetheimportanceofagroforestrywith ourstudents.
Studentsarelearninghowtoturnorganicmaterialintocomposttofertilizetheirfields, surprisinglysomethingnewtomanylocalfarmers.
Ourlatestprojectisafieldofnativepotatoes,anunderappreciatedlocalproductthat couldsignificantlyaidincombatinganaemia.Wearepreservingandenhancinglocal seedswhileaddingvaluetothisproduct.
The"AllinPacha"YouthAgriculturalCooperative,managedbyandforouryoungsters,was launchedinJune2023with30members.Itfacilitatedthecollectivepurchaseoffarming suppliesandthesaleofproducts,withover17,000soles(€4,230)insales.Thisinitiativewill empoweritsyoungmembersbyprovidingaccesstoadditionalfundsandopportunitiesto expandtheirventures,includingpotentialstatefunding.Otherkeybenefitsincludesurplus returns,bulkbuying,reducedincometax,trainingandinvoiceissuance.
Students businessventuresencompassawiderangeofagriculturaland entrepreneurialendeavours,including: bakery(2), cattlefarming(1) guineapigbreeding(10) strawberryproduction(6), chickenfattening(7), vegetableproduction (10includinghydroponiclettuce), beekeeping(5), nectarproduction(4) yoghurtproduction(1), pigfattening(4) grocerystore(1), potatoproduction(2), cheeseproduction(1)
BeforeparticipatingintheJovem project Ididntusemyfreetime, nowIhaveseveralideastodo,I implementedmygreenhouseand Iproducestrawberries.Peopleare alsolookingformetobuild greenhousesandtoteachthem aboutstrawberrycultivation
Frank FuentesIstartedsellingvegetablesinmy village,thenItooktheriskof sellinginthecitymarket Now togetherwithmyparentsweare lookingtoincreaseourvegetable productionbecausewehave manyordersfromthecity.
Setupin2016
5fulltimeteammembersinPeru
SolidFood,bornfromthelegacyofSolid,isasupplierofQuinoaandQuinoaingredients Thanks toaprofoundpartnershipwithquinoafarmersinAyacucho Peru,theycanofferquinoaofthe highestquality,championingashortersupplychaintoensurethesehard-workingindividuals arefairlycompensated Thiscommitmentisstrengthenedbythetrainingandsocialprograms offered,aseachfarmerisvisitedatleast6timesayear Thequinoaisorganicorconventional, alwaysfreefromGMOsandfullytraceable SolidFood’sclientsarethefoodindustry,retailers andwholesalersinEurope,astheirseeds pops,flakes,floursandotherversatileinnovationsare suitableforawiderangeoffoodapplicationsinbakeries,readymeals,meatsubstitutes, snacking,andmanymore S O L I D F O
ThestrategicfocusontheB2Bsector,ledtoaremarkablegrowthinvolumeandrevenue, exceeding€2million.Thisgrowthwasfurtherbolsteredbythesuccessattradefairs,notably BIOFACHinGermany,facilitatingexpansionacrossEurope(Benelux,France,Italy Germany, Scandinavia,Poland,Romania,..)andtheintroductionofinnovativeproductslikeboil-in-bags. In2023,SolidFoodnavigatedseriouschallengesduetoEUregulationsaffectingquinoaexports, leadingtoincreasedpricesamidscarcity.Despitethesehurdles SolidFoodslong-standing partnershipswithPeruvianfarmersenabledsuccessfulorganicquinoaexportstoEurope,being oneofthefewPeruviancompaniesthatsucceeded.Investingover€15,000inyieldandsocial projectsinAyacucho theyplantoexpandEUsalesto900-1000tonnesin2024andexpandtheir supplytotheEUnexttoourfarm-to-forkPeruoffering.
69%white,21%red,9%tricolor,1%black 5trainingprograms,onirrigation,organicfertilizers useofnewharvesting machines,sunprotectionequipmentandtestingofnewvarieties
Long-standing relationshipwith 150–200 farmers inAyacucho. Committedto spend5%of profiton social projects
At Solid, our clients are the heart of our handicraft workshops, donors are the backbone of our social programs and volunteers are the soul of our mission.
At Solid, we dedicate ourselves every day to helping others, a mission made possible by your generous financial contributions. We ensure that 100% of your donation is allocated directly to our projects, with all the Belgian overhead expenses managed by Solid. Each project receives professional oversight to maximize impact.
Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to our cause. Additionally, donations exceeding €40 are eligible for a tax benefit!
More information on our website: https://www.solidinternational.be/support mail to Céline Drijkoningen – celine@solidinternational.be
Koning Boudewijn Stichting – Brederodestraat 21B – 1000 Brussel
IBAN: BE10 0000 0000 0404 - BIC: BPOTBEB1
Reference to use: ***020/1130/00015***
OURWORKWASMADEPOSSIBLETHANKSTOTHEHELPOFMANYSPONSORS,BIGORSMALL
an international organization, s ty? you have experience in manage or social work? y abroad or at our head office i tact you as soon as possible:
Solid'sworkwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthesupport,belief,anddedicationofourclients Yourongoingcommitmenthas enabledourhandicraftsworkshoptothriveandupholdfairemploymentpractices Eachpurchaseandorderyoumakehasa significantsocialimpactandsustainsourvisionofcreatingacommunitywherecraftandethicalbusinesspracticesflourish
Fairemployment andpersonal empowerment tobreakthe cycleofpoverty.
Creating awarenesson healthtopics, connecting peopletohealth servicesand attentive listeningtoeach personalstory.
Developm social,pers andtechn skillsineve project.
Creating opportunitiesfor girlsandwomen atriskofsocial exclusion, preventionof andsupportin caseofgender relatedviolence
Inalliancewith thepublicsector, civilsocietyand private companies. "Alonewecando solittle,together wecandoso much".
Kee foo as trai sus farm tec
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