When pupils at Alamanda College buy a school uniform, they are helping to employ needy families in a Third World country.
Three school garments – pants, shorts and a combination shorts with a skirt – are being “ethically made” in Cambodia through the One Seed project.
“When we handed over a cheque for $11,000 at Easter, I knew it was keeping eight families employed,” principal Lynette Jobson said. “It’s a good model, where people in First World countries are supporting people in Third World countries.
‘‘It shows that in helping ourselves we can also help others and, as a new school community, we decided to lead by example.
“We also offer Australian-made dresses and shirts as well as the cheaper uniform combinations.”
Mrs Jobson says the new school, which opened in February, has 470 students from prep to year 6 and will continue to grow as more year levels are added annually, to about 1500 in 2016.
One Seed director Craig Mawdsley said the not-for-profit organisation had helped more than 100 Cambodian families escape the poverty cycle by providing “fair and ethical work” . The group has switched from making retail garments to uniforms.
The new range, which includes Alamanda’s uniform, will be officially launched at Federation Square in November.
“Not only do we provide Cambodian families with a sustainable income, training, safe housing and healthy meals, but we
offer dignity and self-esteem to those who couldn’t otherwise support themselves,” Mr Mawdsley said.
