Making Your Dream our Vision

Published : 10/08/2011 | Author: Pretoria Workshop for the Blind

Pretoria Society to help Civilian Blind was established in 1929 to provide sheltered employment to visually impaired people in the Pretoria area. In 1996 the name was changed to Pretoria Workshop for the Blind to ensure that people understood that it was a work venue for the blind as opposed to being a care centre. The DreamHouse name was later adopted in order to establish a recognisable brand name with a logo, and would become so synonymous with quality products which are produced by people with disabilities.

Who Benefits?

People who are blind or have other disabilities and unskilled people who are unemployed are empowered through training and job opportunities. Employees are expected to make their own transport arrangements to and from work every day, creating a sense of responsibility towards their job, while showing equal respect towards a person with a disability.

How it all works

With employment of 60 full time staff, 45 of them with disabilities, the organisation is keen to show society what people with disabilities can achieve if given the opportunity and for this reason all their products are manufactured with quality cane and to the highest standards in order to be on par with other mainstream businesses.
Employees are paid on a “pay for performance” basis and individuals work to their own ability and earn a wage according to output.

A new initiative that the organisation has embarked on is to train suitable employees to become independent entrepreneurs. This gives employees the chance to elevate their status and income, as well as create job opportunities for others.

The Business Model

The Pretoria Workshop for the Blind Trust owns the shares in three sister companies which were established to trade and provide income for the Workshop to adhere to its mission of viably employing more and more people with disabilities. These include:

1. DreamHouse Designs:
The Showroom and Retail shop sells the quality Cane products produced by the Cane Furniture and Baskets manufacturing Department. There is a Cane Furniture Repair section and Cushion and Curtain Department.

2. Nu- Fashion Blinds:
The Company manufactures Venetian, Wooden Venetian, Plasswood and Bamboo Blinds. The Bamboo blinds are particularly complimentary to Cane Furniture and related products.

3. Nutritech:
Manufactures fertilizer sticks for pot plants for the export market. All packaging material and packaging for the above is done by the Workshop. Vacuum forming and light assembly work is also done.
The Nutritech spikes have been manufactured and exported to Europe for the past 25 years. DreamHouse originally did only the packaging, but acquired the sole manufacturing and exporting rights 7 years ago.

History

During the 90's many changes were made:
• The Workshop became multiracial and started catering for more disabilities than just the visually impaired.
• The Workshop started operating as a business as opposed to the "charitable" approach of a typical sheltered workshop.
• Strict financial management and controls were implemented.
• The inadequate building in Boom Street was sold and a 2000 square meter premises in Silverton was purchased.
• This facility is centrally situated and is easily accessible to all employees.
• All staff travel to work independently and clock in and out as in any normal workplace
• A modern showroom, where products can be displayed and sold, was completed in 2006.

The Pretoria Workshop for the Blind will create your dream furniture, blinds, plants, furniture accessories and repairs. This in turn will realize their dream of employment, better quality of life and supporting their families.