History

In the mid-1990s, The Salvation Army was helping women in Bangladesh to learn a trade. The Salvation Army guaranteed that they would be paid for the products that they made, and strived to resell the products through different networks.

It quickly became evident that the market for traditional products was not big enough. The result was that many of these products ended up in warehouses. Funding for the project ran out, and with it the ability to pay the women. This experience, however, was an important step towards the development of Sally Ann.



The Salvation Army`s leaders in Bangladesh, at the time, officers Birgitte and Bo Brekke, would not give up the idea of sustainable development through production and sales. Their courage, unwavering faith and vision soon gave results. The first Sally Ann shop opened on September 17 1997, in two small rooms in Dhaka.

The assortment of merchandise was fairly limited, but new principles were in place: design and quality were rethought and aimed at a specific market group, the producers were paid a mutually agreed upon, predeterminded- wage, and quality requirements were introduced. Over three hundred people – including prostituted women and unemployed persons with little or no hope of finding decent employment – where by the year 2000 involved in the production of carpets, tablecloths, purses cards, baskets and furniture. More and more people began dropping by the Sally Ann shop for a cup of coffee and a good deal. However purchasing power was still very limited.

In 2002, Sally Ann established contact with The Salvation Army and Jan Aasmann Størksen in Norway. He shared the Brekkes` visions, but was clear about the fact that the design and concept had to be adjusted to the Western market. This adjustment would open up new markets and lead to more opportunities. Within a year Sally Ann opened the first store in Norway, with the help of sponsors Mester Grønn and the Kavli Foundation. The store was opened by the Norwegian Minister of Development. There were a numerous challenges in this new project, not least  in terms of bureaucracy, and fresh thinking and new ideas were needed. Despite this, the store was a success and a new step was taken for Sally Ann Bangladesh and the new Sally Ann Norway.

The period between 2005 and 2010 was characterized by the need for the establishment of formelized structures, computer systems and communication lines between the new production locations. Over the years Sally Ann has had to sort through many difficulties in relation to limitations in production and transportation. Throughout the whole period, however, there have been small steps in the right direction.  Activities have commenced in more countries including Peru, Kenya, Pakistan and Moldova, who are now a part of the Sally Ann family. Most importantly - more and more people have been provided with employment.

To promote further professionalization of Sally Ann, while retaining the same goal - the provision of decent work for the promotion of independence and empowerment - Sally Ann has strenghtened the international coordination and leadership. Major Jan Risan has been appointed General Manager for Sally Ann Global, and Jan Størksen has again been asked to take part in the development of the concept. Over the next few years, the main goal is to ensure growth,  and to ensure that the operation becomes financially self-sustaining . This will require lots of work the support of many good friends…