A bridge from Creativity to Hope via Malaysia
Our December box, Creative Moments, included an activity that used sustainable bamboo drinking straws. We sourced the straws through BambusaStraws, owned by South Australian social entrepreneur, Kylie Booker. It was so great to partner with Kylie and learn how she works closely with a small community in Malaysia to source all of her products. Her connection to Malaysia stems from when she began teaching there after university. Upon returning to Australia she kept in contact with the locals and established her business with the aim of giving back to the community that welcomed her and promoting sustainable living in Australia.
Kylie shared the photo below of the young man who prepared our straws by hand-polishing them with sand. The money she returns to him and his family pays for his formal schooling and helps him support his family. We're inspired by how this connection between Adelaide and rural Malaysia has endured over 10 years. And we love the sustainable aspects of the bamboo straws - they're only made from a species of wild bamboo that grows on the riverbank and they're sun dried before being cut and polished.
So how does this story of creative straws connect to our February box, Hopeful Moments?
As you can imagine, there aren't many opportunities available in rural Malaysia for children to go to school. But the locals wanted their community to have a school, the parents wanted their children to learn and earn more than they were able to, and the children wanted to help the community flourish. The willpower was evident but just wanting it to happen isn't enough. That's where the way power comes in! Through the relationship the community has with Kylie they developed this social enterprise that provides funds for the school and more economic security for families. What a great example of Hope in action!
If you're looking to tap into your own willpower and way-power to reach a goal that may be eluding you, our February box, Hopeful Moments is for you. We've designed bite-sized, engaging activities to help you navigate potential barriers to your goals. And to celebrate the bridge from Creative Moments to Hopeful Moments, the February box includes a number of sustainable products we think you'll love!