A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Stephanie Salazar and eHomemakers

Stephanie Salazar, a graduate student of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University – SAIS in Washington DC, was the Partnership Coordinator and Webmaster for The Advocacy Project, and an intern with our partner organization, the eHomemakers of Malaysia.

Stephanie reviews a cost spreadsheet with eHomemakers staff.

In December 2005 and January 2006, she traveled to Malaysia to provide business and technical assistance to the organization based in Kuala Lumpur. 

eHomemakers is an internet-based network that uses information and communications technologies (ICT) to allow stay-at-home mothers and caregivers to connect with each other.

Inspired by founder Chong Sheau Ching’s article, “A Job Only Mothers Can Do”, eHomemakers emphasizes ways in which women can help themselves by working from home or pursuing home-based businesses.

Stephanie spent most of her time in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh learning about the organization and using her business and marketing background to address several challenges that eHomemakers faced, which included how to sell handicraft products made by the women of eHomemakers’ Salaam Wanita project. 

Salaam Wanita baskets were put out into the sun to dry as the final step of the process.

While in Malaysia, Stephanie developed a marketing plan for the organization’s eco-baskets and helped formulate a business strategy for eHomemakers. 

“If not for The Advocacy Project, I would not have been able to find such a worthwhile organization to work with.  My time with eHomemakers gave me valuable experience in the development field and I was able to develop a strong connection with eHomemakers that continues to this day,” Stephanie says.

While in Malaysia, she kept a record of her experiences and thoughts online in the form of blogs.

• Stephanie Salazar's blog