Chimwemwe Ladies and the House of Esther Clothing Factory

A very neat thing happened yesterday at the Chimwemwe Ladies Club.  While I was gone to the US, the clothing factory was set up and a large group of women were coming to be trained on the commercial machines.  Joyce Mapoma, who owns the company we are partnering with, came to the meeting and announced the women being chosen to continue with the training.  First, Pastor Emmanuel spoke to explain once again that the Chimwemwe Ladies Club was different than the House of Esther sewing company.  We were concerned that we would have a lot of trouble since some of the women were not picked.  So there was that discussion first.

 

As the names were read out – about 20 ladies – each lady jumped up and others came and shook her hand or danced around with her.  One lady broke into tears and almost collapsed.  Some of her friends led her from the room.  When she came back she explained her tears.  She said that her husband had died leaving her with 3 children.  (She has remarried but that husband doesn't want to help with those 3 children.)  She had prayed and asked God to help her, to get her a job or something so she could take care of her children.  So she was overcome with joy.  The whole thing was very moving as the women were picked and saw the opportunity to have a job and earn money for their families.  Who would have ever thought these women out in the rural part of Zambia would have such an opportunity!