 |
|
|
|
| PROJECTS > NINO DOLL PROJECT |
|
Project: Nino Doll Project
Project Concept Creator and Coordinator: Majella Tarbatt
Project Aim: 12,000 children (Niños) were swept away in the Dec 26th 2005 tsunami; to commemorate those 12,000 lost lives, Majella and Mark Tarbatt have commissioned 12,000 Nino Dolls which will be sold online at www.ninodoll.org and offline in Brown Thomas stores in the run up to the first anniversary, with the aim of creating 12,000 Passports to Education with proceeds from the sales of the Dolls.
 School boy with Nino Doll
However, on the Christmas trip, their children didn't get a chance to play. The Tsunami robbed them of the opportunity.
It was on Majella's return trip in February when she finally got a chance to meet with Nandica. There was heartbreaking sadness in Nandcia's eyes as she explained how her family's lives had been shattered by the terrible events of December 26th 2004. Despite the desperate struggle her 12 year old daughter put up, she was unable to save her 5 yr old brother, who was swept away in the Tsunami. In addition to the crippling loss of her youngest child, she also lost her home, her business and her livelihood.
When Annie Walsh and Charlotte Eaton heard of Nandica's story, they were moved into action. Annie purchased a bicycle, so Nandica's husband could collect their girls from school. Charlotte bought Nandica a sewing machine and commissioned her to make Dolls for the orphanage. The dolls were small gestures of comfort to the children, many of whom were orphaned by the Tsunami. And thus, the inspiration for the Nino Doll was created. These Dolls would provide healing- they would provide employment in the area, and the proceeds of their sale would generate scholarship funds for children such as Nandica's two daughters, enabling them with a passport to education and ultimately a passport to self-sufficiency.
 Nino Dolls being hand crafted
In total 12,000 Sri Lankan children lost their lives to the Tsunami.Twelve thousand unique (individually named and handmade) Nino Dolls have been conceptualised, commissioned and self funded by Mark and Majella Tarbatt to honour and commemorate the beauty and spirit that was lost with those 12,000 lives.
The Nino Doll is handmade using traditional hand-woven 100% cotton and filled with natural materials, which are eco-friendly. The cotton yarn has been dyed and woven by hand in villages across Southern Sri Lanka.
Driven by the Internet and costing €90, the doll can be purchased via the designated website www.ninodoll.org, or in Brown Thomas stores nationwide. The Nino Doll fundraising initiative provides support to communities in Sri Lanka who have been directly affected by the Tsunami as it:
- Showcases traditional, handmade quality Sri Lankan products,
- Provides support to the local economy through employment,
- Funds the Passport to Education Programme.
Proceeds from Nino Doll sales go as direct financial aid to School children in Tsunami affected areas of Sri Lanka by the creation of 12,000 Passport to Education scholarships to each student that qualifies.
The Nino Doll Passport to Education is a bank book that Nino Boys and Girls receive, into which their scholarship of €45 will be lodged. This scholarship is lodged monthly over a six month period; after the six month period a review of their circumstances is undertaken- if their situation has not improved, they will continue to receive the scholarship.
- This entire process will be verified and audited by Ernst and Young's accountants at their branch in Sri Lanka.
- The scholarship will be utilized for the following educational purposes:
- School Books/ Apparel/ Uniforms/ Travel to and from School/ Food at School/ Extra Curricular Educational Activities.
|
|
|
