Facts and Figures. Il Nodo s BOTTEGA DELL ARTE. A social School of Design in Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

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1 Il Nodo s BOTTEGA DELL ARTE A social School of Design in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1

2 Through our program, we have seen amazing changes in our students. When they first come through our doors, they have low self-esteems, are shy and scared of speaking up. Soon, it is clear that they are changing. Our staffs and teachers trust us, and ask them to make things by themselves. They are given assignments they complete wonderfully. They realize they, too, can achieve things, create objects and design beautiful things. As a group, our class bonds together, socializes and becomes more outgoing. Bottega dell Arte OUR MISSION To empower young adults from very poor backgrounds and to help preserve traditional Cambodian handicrafts This transformation is what our program aims for; to help young Cambodians from vulnerable background become independent and strong. 2

3 OUR PROGRAM Every year, we enroll 10 new students into our school. All are young adults (18 to 25 years olds) from very poor backgrounds and have received very limited education. At our school, they follow a free, two-year course in silversmith. Besides receiving a valuable new skill, they get a daily stipend to support their families. When they graduate, they are guaranteed employment with one of our partner organization. There is much more to our school than skills. By making beautiful objects with their own hands, our students get a sense of dignity. They gain confidence and creativity. They discover they can accomplish things. When they graduate, they have gained creative the knowledge and skills that will help them rise above poverty and reach economic independence. They become the youngest generation of traditional Cambodian silversmiths 3

4 Our School Bottega dell Arte Our school is called the Bottega dell Arte, which refers to artisans workshops in Italy under the Renaissance. It is located in Boeung Tum Pon, the Southern-most district of Phnom Penh, and also the poorest part of the city. Most of our students are from the surrounding areas. Our location makes it easy for our students to attend the school. The Place of Silversmith in Cambodia Silversmith is one of Cambodia s traditional handicrafts. However, because of Cambodia s rapid modernization, many families that have been crafting silver for generations are leaving their villages and their crafts behind, in the hope of finding a more lucrative activity in the cities. Il Nodo decided to take two problems to combine them in a creative solution. To avoid the disappearance of silversmith secrets and to help young adults gain a meaningful and dignified life, Il Nodo started its Bottega dell Arte. 4

5 Coursework In their first year at the Bottega, our students learn the art of bending metals to create shape. They practice on brass and copper until they understand the materials and the machines they are working with. The second year focuses on silver and perfecting their craft. They also receive weekly drawing classes and a business workshop at the end of their studies. Design Creativity and design are very important values at our school. We went our students to be able to come up with their own objects. To help them, we get a foreign designer to come and teach design at our school for a month. Our Teachers To teach our students, we hired a traditional silversmith master. His family has been bending metals for centuries, and passed down secrets techniques only he knows. With his teachings and his mastery, our students are in the best position to learn this traditional 5 Cambodian handicraft.

6 Started in 2009, the Bottega dell Arte already has a lot to be proud of. We have 21 graduates, all working fulltime. They have found employment at: Artisans of Silver, Saught, Khemserei SK Italian Silver Rajana Cambodian Arts&Crafts One graduate has created his own business after completing our course. Employment Bottega dell Arte Artisansof Silver Saught Khemserai Rajana Independent ACHIEVEMENTS Notsurveyed Bottega Graduates Classof2011 Classof2012 Classof2013 Classof2014 (expected)

7 An Exciting New Start Artisans of Silver Artisans of Silver naturally grew out of our Bottega dell Arte. Artisans of Silver is an independent jewelry business started by four of our graduates in It is place for them to express their creativity and test their new designs. Now for sell in seven different boutiques and hotels around Phnom Penh, Artisans of Silver is off to a great start As a way to give back to where they came from, all the profits from our artisans go back to funding parts of the Bottega dell Arte. In the next few years, we are looking forward to helping our artisans show off their talent. 7

8 Bottega dell Arte Moving Forward CAMBODIA Capital: Phnom Penh Population: 15 million people Language: Khmer Currency: Cambodian Riel and US$ Independence: 1953 from France Political regime: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Human Development Index: (138 th ) Poverty rate (under $1.25 a day): 20% Urban population: 20% Facing Challenges Cambodia is a difficult country to work in. Still recuperating from the Khmer Rouge period, there are systemic and social barriers that always need to be confronted. Working with girls at out Bottega has been especially challenging. Silversmith is not a traditional activity for girls. Thus, many mothers encourage their daughters to quit our school, to go work at factories, or worse, at karaoke bars. We have been working closely with all our female students to encourage them to stay and gain a more dignified life through silversmith. In the next few years, we hope to open our school to more handicrafts, to offer a more diverse curriculum. We are keeping Cambodian traditions and Cambodian girls in mind. 8

9 Our partners Artisans of Silver Saught Khemserei Sk Italian Silver Rajana Cambodian Arts&Crafts The Church of the Child Jesus of Boeung Tum Pun (Phnom Penh) 9