Fibers and Prints: My Vision Of A Social Enterprise

Background and Rationale:

Through policies that mandate different sectors to use healthy, ecologically friendly, and sustainable products as answers to minimize the impact of climate change, many social enterprises have included environmental protection goals in their mission statement.

Fibers and Prints aims to help marginalized women in rural areas not only become financially capable by training them to produce ecologically friendly and biodegradable pillows with the use of kapok fiber as filling and abel Iloco casing, but also instill in them environmental concerns.

Kapok or kapasanglay fiber comes from the seed pods of the Ceiba pentandra (L) Gaertn., the common kapok tree found in many areas across the country. The tree does not need irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides and grows naturally in backyards, mountains, and other non-agricultural areas.

Since most of the women in the rural community have been collecting kapok fiber to use as filling for their own pillows, they are taught about the importance of using this organic product and how to process them in a working space that is both safe and conducive for work. They are empowered to become part of a social enterprise that produces and markets organic, healthy products and also contributes to the betterment of their lives and the environment.

Likewise, Fibers and Prints use the Abel Iloco for the pillow cover in order to promote the Ilocos' traditional weaving industry and also help the involved weavers by buying their products at fair prices. Weaving the Abel Iloco is a labor-intensive process and by supporting the weavers, their efforts are paid well.

Products and Services:

Kapok Pillow is a healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly product

Fibers and Prints produces kapok-filled pillows with abel Iloco cover that promotes an eco-friendly organic product, made by rural women and traditional weavers of Ilocos Sur.

The product can be used both as a body pillow or a throw pillow. It gives a unique feel because the fibers are naturally fluffy and buoyant. It also has a unique ability to regulate temperature because the fiber allows air flow and breathability.

It is highly durable and long-lasting because the kapok fibers are resistant to molds, mildew, and pests. These characters make the Fibers and Prints pillows the healthy alternative.

Each pillow comes with a pair of Abel Iloko cover. A small pillow has 500 g of kapok fiber filling. while a medium-sized one contains 600 g. The inner casing has a zipper which is convenient for adding more filling.

Processing kapok fibers is a labor-intensive process. The workers will be equipped with the proper gear (masks, gloves) work space (must be spacious and well-ventilated), and equipment so they can work comfortably and productively.

The Abel Iloco casing is made by master weavers who make traditional designs like kusikos(whorl), lengnga(sesame seed), abaniko( fan), and others.

The Benefits of the Service

For the rural women beneficiaries: additional income through fair wages and share in the profits of the enterprise. They also benefit from the training on product development, and environmental awareness campaigns.

For Weavers: Fair prices for their products and new markets which support traditional crafts.

For the Community: Preservation of kapok trees not just for their economic value but more so for their contribution to clean air, minimizing soil erosion, and preserving a balanced ecosystem.

For the consumers: Health benefits from using fair-priced organic, eco-friendly kapok pillows and appreciation for the traditional weave.

For partners ( support agencies and retailers): By supporting the Fibers and Prints workers and beneficiaries, they help alleviate poverty and contribute to social change and the protection of the environment.

Value Proposition

Fibers and Prints support marginalized rural women and traditional weavers by creating a market for organic, eco-friendly, and sustainable products, thereby giving them additional income sources and providing a platform where they can gain skills as well as environmental protection initiatives.