[I]The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest\u2014in other words, your passion!<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nBid the SEWers forever goodbye
\nAnd this chapter will end
\nand we\u2019ll turn a new bend
\nas the end of an era draws nigh<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nGoes the bitter along with the sweet
\nControversy and fraud?
\nOpportunity abroad?
\nStories change with each person you meet<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nSome will say not a moment too soon
\nBut from those who worked hard
\ndaily seams and time cards
\ncome the words of a whole different tune<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nAsk the girls what they thought of it all
\nMost will say they were glad
\nfor the chance that they had
\nand are sad that things slowed to a crawl<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nOff to cheaper, more profit-filled climes
\nShall we toast its demise?
\nDo we seek a reprise?
\nOr just strive now to make better times? <\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nWhat on earth is our island to do?
\nLet our leaders contrive
\na new plan to survive
\nso the nation can flourish anew!<\/p>\n
The last garment factory is closing
\nLet us hope now the future is kind
\nLet the Saipan of past
\nbe re-shaped and recast
\nin an image that let\u2019s us all shine![\/I]<\/p>\n
Over the past several months, I\u2019ve had the unique opportunity of transcribing and editing a unique story chronicling one young Chinese lady\u2019s journey as a garment factory worker here on Saipan. Beyond what I learned about the Chinese language, culture and worldview, it\u2019s a fascinating experience to hear and contrast what those who are actually working in factories have to say with what is typically reported in the media.<\/p>\n
Many of the (predominantly Chinese) women I\u2019ve interviewed, have expressed a fairly consistent opinion of life as garment factory workers: They appreciate the chance to earn more money here than they could in their home countries; they feel the resident population doesn\u2019t like them being here; but they would like to keep working here because of the money, and a certain freedom they have that is hard to find back home, that they\u2019ve grown accustomed to, and that would actually make reintegrating into Chinese society more difficult.<\/p>\n
The peaks and valleys of the 25 years of garment factory operations here on Saipan is a story well worth telling\u2014from as many perspectives as possible. The industry\u2019s pivotal, and undeniable role and impact on Saipan\u2019s current reputation, brand identity, and image is worthy of analysis, as we strive to recreate that reputation and identity in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
This has and continues to be a pivotal month of change. Over the span of just a few days we will have witnessed the declaration of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument (Jan. 6), the closure of the last garment factory (Jan. 15), a final determination on the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program (Jan. 16), MLK Day (Jan. 19) made more poignant and timely given Barack Obama\u2019s game-changing inauguration (Jan. 20), all within the framework of a continuing economic crisis. Yes, change is in the air both here and abroad. Are you ready?<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s \u201clife rhyme\u201d is a reminder that every change comes with different opinions and perspectives, impacts, and (at least) two sides to every issue that, if overlooked, lessen the lesson we can learn by incorporating everyone\u2019s viewpoint. The Last Garment Factory is Closing is a metaphor for life\u2019s periods of transition, for seeking out others\u2019 perspectives, and of moving forward armed with a renewed purpose to seek out new options, and make things better than they were before.<\/p>\n
There is always opportunity amid change.<\/p>\n
[I][B]Note:[\/B] There is actually one other factory that has officially suspended its operations until further notice, and may, in fact, be \u201cthe last man standing,\u201d some time after Jan 15. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n
[B]Note:[\/B] Visit www.saipanfactorygirl.com for more details on the book, Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin.
\n[B]
\nNote:[\/B] For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com![\/I]<\/p>\n
****<\/p>\n
Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!<\/p>\n
[I]Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt\u2019s philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com.[\/I]<\/p>\n
****<\/p>\n
[I]Send article suggestions, entrepreneur nominations and feedback about this article to walt@passionprofit.com.[\/I]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest\u2014in other words, your passion!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129572\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}