By Richard Paschke, Wangaratta
Stephanie Woollard is one of the most impressive young people I have met in my life. In August last year Stephanie invited me to a screening of the documentary ‘Bringing the Light’ which portrays the company ‘Seven Women’, and the impact the company has on many of the poorest women and men in Nepal. It follows the work of ‘Seven Women’ before and during the devastating earthquake in Nepal that killed more than 10,000 people and destroyed countless villages. It opened my eyes as to how education can make a difference.
I decided then that I want to help her with the screening of the documentary in regional Victoria and help raise funds for this incredible cause.
Stephanie has recently been recognised by the UN for her incredible and selfless work that has made a big difference for thousands of people.
It all started when Stephanie was on a trip in Nepal in 2004. Walking in Kathmandu she observed a disabled woman disappearing in a tin shed and followed. In the shed were 7 women making candles and soap to sell at the market. Disabled people in Nepal are marginalised because people believe that they must have been evil in their former live. People would not buy enough from the women for them so they barely survived.
Stephanie wanted to help so she called her mum and asked whether it is possible for one person to make a difference and her mum said that she had to try.
Stephanie then spent the rest of her travel money to up skill the women so they could produce craft that she could sell on markets in Melbourne.
From these humble beginnings, a community based company developed that has now schooled more than 5000 women and men in Nepal and had significant impact in the rebuilding efforts in Nepal.
Seven Women works with the disabled and underprivileged people of Nepal to socially and economically empower men and women through skills training and increased opportunity. Distributing quality, fair trade, handmade products across Australia, Seven Women has the vision to empower people in communities around the world.
Watch the amazing story of ‘Seven Women’ in Albury on 8 March 2017, 6:30 pm at the Regent Cinema in Albury-Wodonga.
Online booking is essential at: https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=255922