The Karma of Things

With 2015 fast closing its curtain upon us, I reflected on the year. Well, in fact - on the last one and half years.

I still clearly remember sitting across Karma Yangchi at the restaurant, persuading her to accept my gift. (I failed). And so, I changed track and asked her instead, to weave something and I help her sell. (Hoo..I succeeded).

And then so many things happened. All I know is scarfs followed me home to Hong Kong, followed me to my trip to Shanghai, Malaysia, Singapore as I distributed them around. Just as I thought - phew - I have done my job and about to wipe my brow -  suddenly, more scarfs were ordered. And more. And then more. And still more!!! Even my husband started to ask "Do your friends eat scarf?" (as he saw the boxes of scarfs arrive - one after another, from summer to winter and back to summer)

But you know whats really nice? It is not only scarfs that arrived. The best kind of people turned up to. Be it old friends, friend of friends, new friends, complete strangers - suddenly they appear in my life and say "Lets talk. I want to help".


My reflection? This must be what it feels like to have good Karma come along. Because she brings the best people to you when she appears.


(PS Why I spell Scarves as Scarfs. Simple. When I spelt it Scarves, some people don't know what it is. I am not kidding!!!!!! So I spelt it Scarfs ...an old fashion way to spell. Why not, we are doing things the old fashion way here. Slowly, nicely, lovingly, carefully)


Photo : Karma and me in Thimphu in November 2015 - by Allan Yeung.

Join Ana by Karma in Bhutan (April 2016)

10 Days 9 Nights in Bhutan

(with pre and post stops in Bangkok)

Contact

HK based tour operator - Co-op Travel Education Centre for your Bhutan trip

Betty / Yolanda at +852 2541 5094        bhutan@coop-travel.com.hk

The Tour Operator is Coop Travel Education in Hong Kong

The tour on Easter 24 March departure is now closed

Ana by Karma Website

(A small note: 

Ana by Karma is not connected to Coop Travel - 

they are a licensed travel agent and will help you 

make arrangements to come to our volunteer programs) 

Ana by Karma - How it started

https://youtu.be/wakZSi3Ec50

A beautiful day

Hong Kong looking splendid this morning

The Art of Giving

THE ART OF GIVING

How we give makes a world of difference to the recipient.

Charity, whilst is a traditional way to give, it sometimes create cruel dependency. The recipient gets a respite from life's harshness but not necessarily a ladder to climb out of it. And needs more help. And more. 

In contrast, when we give with a clear mission to empower, to enable, a different story emerges. The recipient not only gets a respite, but a ladder to progress in life. And with the same ladder, he or she can also help others in the same plight to move up in life. 

Such is our story of Ana by Karma for Bhutanese weavers. 

Karma, whom a year ago, was struggling to make ends meet, today has not only overcome financial difficulties, but herself is a giver of hope. She has trained dozens of illiterate poor weavers to form a community. 

The one who received help is now helping. This is the real art of giving. Empowering the recipient to be part of your team to give. Imagine that. Imagine the impact as we give more, we get more givers!

This Christmas - give the most meaningful gift to your family and friends - our hand made scarf - whilst giving Karma and her team the best gift too - empowering them to be givers in future. 

Check Karma's handmade scarves at:

https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/shop/AnaScarf

Photo on top: Quin giving a present to the weavers from the Royal Bhutan Army community

Photo on bottom: Karma meeting Helen Pu from China who selflessly helped the team of weavers even when Helen has not met them before

Unleash the potential within

"Potential exists everywhere--sometimes in very unexpected places--and most important, within ourselves." Jessica B, founder of Kiva, a successful Microfinance Co.

Many believe that we are the one who helped the poor illiterate weavers in Bhutan to earn money they never could have without our involvement. That's true but not the whole truth. Truth is we helped unleash the potentials stored within them. They could always make beautiful things with their hands, they were just not connected to the world that appreciates such beauty and colour of the handmade scarfs

But the biggest surprise for all contributor s and volunteers of Ana by Karma is that through this social enterprise, it is we who discovered our potentials and our vast capacity. It is us who found the treasure within us. I certainly did. 

A POOR ILLITERATE WOMAN TAUGHT US A LESSON

A POOR ILLITERATE WOMAN TAUGHT US A LESSON

What was meant to be a donation of US$200 for one poor illiterate woman morphed into a social enterprise in Bhutan. Ana by Karma Social Enterprise Bhtutan has 70+ weavers proudly earning through sale of their handmade scarfs.

Back then, I made an assumption – the poor benefits from our money, our donation. No. Not true. Karma- the Bhutanese weaver who never went to school, she wants an opportunity, a chance to showcase her talent, the dignity of earning her own keeps. Doesn’t that sound like what you and I want too?

The last thing Karma wanted was my offer of US$200 to buy her a sewing machine.

Looking back, I am glad she vehemently and repeatedly refused my “gift”, my donation. By doing so, Karma taught me a great lesson that day. It was so easy of me to drop a donation in the box and walk away. Not all the poor want our money, definitely not our sympathy. What they truly benefit from are our gift of ideas, time and our vast network.

In Karma’s spirit of dignity, one thing our social enterprise has consistently and vehemently uphold is -- > ZERO $$ donation. ZERO. Ana by Karma is a business. Not a charity.

Any money we receive, we earn it. Just like any commercial business. The only difference is, we are a business with a heart. At the heart of our enterprise is a group of Bhutanese women weavers who are given the opportunity to become financially independent through their own beautiful work. In fact the women weavers are encouraged to think of themselves as entrepreneurs in the fashion industry!

And if you really wish to “donate”, please donate to us your time, your expertise, your ideas as these are the tools of their empowerment.  And that is the lesson I learnt from Karma.

Definitions:

Charity - the act of giving money, food, or other kinds of help to people who are poor, sick, etc, people in need.

A social enterprise is a business created with a social purpose and operated in a financially sustainable way. http://www.nesst.org

Three golden questions that can open doors of opportunities for your business

As an "accidental" social entrepreneur, often I feel I am thrown in at the deep end of the pool. Thankfully I found three "floats" that have generated many new leads and created good bonds with others.

The three floats are Three golden questions to be asked by any entrepreneurs when meeting someone new for business for first time:

1. How can I help you

2. What ideas do you have for me

3. Who else do you know that I can talk to

Enjoy your morning. And fruitful meetings for the rest of the week.

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Perfectly Brilliant Name

With the love of Khandor, Rinpoche Garab blessed my birthday by giving me a Bhutanese name. Quen-sal. It means Perfectly Brilliant. I think of sparkly diamonds! 

Miraculous thing is; Rinpoche didn't even know my name is Quin when he bestowed Quen-sal upon me. In fact, not many people know the name on my passport is spelt Siew Quen. 

The name Quen-sal is An aspiration from this point in life - to keep true to my cause of helping another reach his or her potentials, be it CEOs or MBA students or illiterate weavers. It takes one diamond to shine another, as it is said.

From this point forward, I shall work to live up to the name given to me. Perfectly brilliant. 

Announcement: Diamond Club membership opened for applications. Let's help one another shine with brilliance. 

 

Obstacles? What to do?

Often when we face a huge obstacle in life, we either want to run in the opposite direction or sigh and ask "Why me?" 

The answer to the question "Why me?" Is because the obstacles are there to prepare us for something bigger and better in our lives, when we choose to surmount them.

It is your blessing in disguise.