Tòhe « CONTIGO WordPress Prod

TOHE is actually a traditional toy made of rice that can be eaten after play time

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1 Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Tòhe
1.1 Products
1.2 Location
1.3 Founded in 2006
1.4 History
1.5 Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2013
1.6 Structure of the business
1.7 Sales
1.8 Goals
1.9 Special features
2 Fairtrade classification
3 Fairtrade aspects
3.1 No child labour
3.2 No discrimination
3.3 Fair wages
3.4 Humane working conditions
3.5 Transparency
4 Monitoring
5 Country information
6 Photos

This trade relationship is currently not active.

Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Tòhe

Hanoi to Göttingen (Source: Google Earth)

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” (Pablo Picasso)

Products

Cotton products printed with little artist’s artwork

Location

Hanoi, Vietnam – distance to Europe: 8,600km

Founded in 2006

History

Ngan Pham Thi and Anh Thi are engaged in a social project organised by an NGO
They teach painting courses in institutions for children with disabilities, orphanages, hospitals, etc. (for example, one orphanage in the north-west of Hanoi with 160 children, 170 adults, and 25 babies)
Children are encouraged to be creative and use their imagination
In many institutions these children live in very poor conditions: unbalanced diet poor in vitamins, no recreational activities, no support in their personal development
2006: the This start to use the children’s artwork on cotton products like clothing, housewares, toys, accessories, bags: Tòhe is founded
Concept:
- Tòhe organises art courses in 4 institutions in the surroundings of Hanoi
- Distribution of fruit and dairy products during art classes, healthy diet supposed to be combined with creative, fun activities
- Tòhe provides painting and handicraft materials
- Children are 4-10 years old, children with disabilities are up to 18 years old
- Tòhe accompanies development of children over several years, very talented children are promoted with scholarships for school
- Project manager: Thuy is supported in mission by volunteers
Initial difficulties lead to a new start in 2009 with the help of a British NGO
2010: GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) donates US $15,000 for purchase of printing machine
2012: show room is reopened and is also used as shop that also attracts international visitors
Search for sale opportunities abroad
Main costs at Tòhe: importing costs for colours from the U.S. and Europe
Tòhe wants to demonstrate that creative work creates economic value
2014: Sewing workshop relocated to village Van Khe in Ha Dong, 20km outside of Hanoi, 10 women are employed full-time with the goal of employing 20 sewers in 2014
2014: Tòhe takes part in GIZ-funded training in Munich, topics cover business management, increasing market opportunities, production optimisation
Tòhe collaborates with different organisations:
- Centre for children with disabilities and for orphans, 70km outside of Hanoi, 20 of the 160 children regularly take advantage of Tòhe’s opportunities
- School for autistic children in Hanoi
- Centre for families with disabilities
- Orphanage, in Nangking, ca. 100km away from Hanoi

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2013

Structure of the business

Number of employees:

30 employees (24 women and 6 men)
- 10 trained sewers
- 2 sample makers
- 2 part-time employees responsible for printing
- 3 designers
- 1 product manager
- Management department consists of administration, sales and social projekt coordinator (Thuy, she represents Ngan in schools)
- Project coordinator Do Huyen Trang organises 20 volunteers that conduct weekly painting courses

Sales

Home market (65%) via a shop in Ho Chi Min City, local companies (as promotional gift), and customers from surrounding area in Hanoi
Exports (35%) to Australia and Germany

Goals

To increase international marketing
To optimise production
To strengthen the self-confidence of people with disabilities
To develop the creative skills of children and teenagers through creative activities
To support children in fully making use of their creative potential provide potential career opportunities in this sector

Special features

Financial support of mutual fund that pays for art and crafts classes
Profit is invested in scholarships for talented students

Why does CONTIGO work with Tòhe: The innovative product design is combined with priceless education projects. A start-up company that is very worthy of support.