The Alchemy Design Project Fundraiser at Drift

Lloyd Green
Nov 17, 2016
3 min read

You will be shocked to know that Malaysia is on the Human Trafficking watchlist. More worryingly, it’s on a Tier 2 level.

The issue is real, with sex slavery here and across the region high on the radar.

Luckily, one women, together with her students, is trying to make a difference.

Sydney Scherr is an award-winning designer, sculptor, illustrator and educator who has lived in Kuala Lumpur and has developed the only Bachelor of Jewellery Design program in Malaysia and is currently developing plans to open her own jewellery academy.

She has also spent much time in Cambodia, observing first hand the perils of sexual slavery.

Her mission is to empower young women to find an economic alternative to sex slavery by educating and training them in the art of jewellery making.

“The initiative aims to advance the concept of volunteer tourism by teaching sustainable jewellery making skill sets to young survivors of human trafficking,” Scherr says.

“Everyone has skills they can teach and for the young survivors of this slave trade to have a future they must have marketable skill sets.

“We rely on volunteers to help teach jewellery making and have taught many groups of young women how to make jewellery with sustainable technologies.

“This creates an economic alternative to earning other than menial labour or as sexual slaves and prostitutes.”

Sydney’s intention is to have her own own academy and is working towards establishing the Alchemy Design Project as an NGO.

In order to meet the survivors, the Alchemy Design Project is partnering with other NGOs, both here and abroad, to reach their shared goals.

“We had to partner with a local NGO to meet the young women we wish to teach.

“Tenaganita works to repatriate and give life skills lessons to young women who have either been sexual slaves or domestic slaves via human trafficking.

“These women are in a safe, protected environment and we are excited to be involved with Tenaganita.

“Moving forward we aim to provide a sustainable platform for valuing lives and growing businesses in that those who are applying their new skills are able to train more young women rescued from traffickers.”

Drift Hospitality is proud to team up with the Alchemy Design Project to help raise much needed funds to bankroll the equipment needed to teach these young women.

Head to Drift Dining and Bar on Sunday December 11th for a Sunday Bazaar fundraising event.

Guests will be able to buy items of jewellery designed by Alchemy Design Project students as well as sample foods and wine, enjoy live performances and take home wine and other goodies for sale on the day.

The aim is to bring awareness to the problem that is human trafficking and raise enough money to purchase 13 tool kits.

Donations are gladly accepted on the day or in advance on Eventbrite – The Alchemy Design Project Sunday Bazaar and Live Performances. Money will go directly to the Alchemy Design Project and proceeds of sales for purchase of the tool kits for the next training session.

The tool kits comprise of jewellers saw, saw blades, drills, pliers and files plus raw materials such as sheet metal and brass, copper and aluminium wire amongst other items.

For more information or to buy your ticket contact events@driftdining.com or call 0321102079 or online at eventbrite Alchemy Design Project.

Sunday Bazaar Fundraising Event

WHEN: Sunday December 11th

WHERE: Drift Dining and Bar, 38 Jalan Bedara, Ground Floor Bidara Condo, Bukit Bintang TIME: 12 - 6pm Programme: Coming soon