Dire Husi Artisan House needs your help

An award winning social enterprise that has given troubled youths a second chance through the arts is in dire need of help.

Dire Husi: Interconnecting Indigenous Young Artisans and Young Urban Fashionistas through Fair Trade (Intercultural Dialogue) was the Mindanao winner for the "I Am A Changemaker" competition sponsored by the British Council Philippines last year.

More recently, Dire Husi was adjudged a winner in the Mindanao Regional Finals of the Search for 7th TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) of the National Youth Commission which seeks to recognize, reward and encourage youth organizations all over the country with programs and projects that help their communities.

But the social enterprise is in danger of losing its "Arthouse" where its members live and congregate to do their arts.

"We have found that the most crucial problem facing our members is the internal changes a person undergoes when he chooses to make a change in his lifestyle, attitude and outlook," Casiño said. "Because of this, we have had times when we were unable to earn to deal with the members´ problems."

"Dire is a Visayan word for here while Husi is a Manobo word for friend," explains Rhyan Casiño, the group´s founder and guiding spirit. "As our name connotes, we seek to build people-to-people friendships that will open alternative futures for indigenous and disadvantaged young people of Northern Mindanao."

A home-grown initiative seeking to link indigenous youth artisans and affluent youth consumers in Manila and Mindanao, Dire Husi runs a social enterprise that creates and sells indigenous-inspired terracotta accessories, musical instruments, and soil paintings. A Fair Trade advocate, Dire Husi adheres to the principles of self-help, social equity, and ecological sustainability. Group members also perform "enthralling and upbeat" world music that fuses indigenous chants and rhythms with contemporary beats.

The Arthouse is a makeshift residence with an art workshop in front and sleeping quarters in the back. Located near the junction of 9th and 21st streets in Barangay Nazareth, it is home to 15 artisans, sometimes more as many others from out of town also come and go when they feel like it.

"We do not have long to stay at our Artisan House in Nazareth, " said "Ate Sham" (Sharon Mae Torcal-Casiño, Rhyan´s wife). "It feels like we are in a courtroom, waiting for the order to vacate the premises. Last Friday was our crying moment – all the artisans expressed their emotions, reflecting and reminiscing on the past, on their personal changes since becoming part of Dire Husi. All of them wanted to stay with Dire Husi, no matter what. Even though we may lose our Artisan House, and will need to find a new home. I was so touched by their positive response. To us, the Dire Husi Artisan House is a significant gathering place, where youth can meet and have a space to be creative, a learning center, our little enterprise, our shop…… a safe place for everyone."

Its financial difficulties notwithstanding, Dire Husi continues to open its arms to new members.

"We have new members in Dire Husi, who have found a new direction through art," Ate Sham confides. They are all reaffirming their capabilities as artists, craftspeople and musicians with the organization."

Among them: Jackielyn, 18, a victim of physical and emotional abuse; Bogart, 27, a juvenile delinquent from the maximum security prison in Davao City; Jumar, 22, a Tausug who was imprisoned 2-3 years ago for drug dealing; Bambam, 21, former member of a para-military armed group; Jen, 24, who suffered from a broken family and alcohol abuse.

What specifically do they need to sustain Dire Husi and the Arthouse?

Casiño said they need about PhP 2,000 (US$45) to register their enterprise as a non-stock, non-profit organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

One they have a legal personality, a longer fund drive to generate start-up resources to establish the Dire Husi Artisan House at a new location would follow.

"The easiest and fastest way for this, we believe, is through one-on-one, personalized fund raising," said "Kuya Vincent" Eugenio, Dire Husi´s ´informal adviser´ based in Quezon City. "Any amount, no matter how small or big, is welcome."

"We do not ask you to give beyond your means. Instead, we ask, "What are you willing to give up in a week, two weeks, or a month?" Eugenio said. "It could be that evening cup of coffee at your favorite cafe, or that weekly treat at the mall. Maybe it is as simple as being more ecological in your lifestyle – switching to online newspapers, walking to work/school instead of riding that jeep or taxi for a month. The funds that you saved can be a welcome contribution to Dire Husi. You can either bank it online or at your favorite local branch to: Chinabank Account 1780764513.

Interested donors can either contact Vincent Eugenio in Quezon City (09269019062) or Rhyan Casino in Cagayan de Oro (09161369840) or send an email to vfeugenio@yahoo.com or dire_hose@yahoo.com.

For more details, Dire Husi´s page in Facebook or log-in to their blogsite: direhusi.blogspot.com.