Women to Women

Women to Women

 

One of the goals for the Chimwemwe Ladies Club this year is to improve the quality of what we do.  That will involve trying to standardize the sizes of the bags and making different and better beads. 

 

At the craft market at Arcades on Sundays I had met 2 ladies who make the bead necklaces.  They make a greater variety of beads than we have been making.  Since I was the person that kept encouraging the women to do the beads, and showed them the little that I know or could figure out, we were somewhat limited.

 

So last Sunday we were in Lusaka to drop off Steve at the airport.  I talked to the 2 ladies and asked if they would come out and teach our ladies how to do what they do.  I assured them that we would not be in competition since we send our things to the states to sell. 

 

So Friday they came.  From the Chimwemwe money we paid for their transportation, gave them a stipend, and bought lunch for them at the restaurant.  It brought me great joy to see them surrounded by many of our ladies, all working together and learning from one another – women helping women.  I think our beads will have more variety and be a bit better in quality since Mutinta and Precious, the ladies from Lusaka, came to teach them.

 

I am looking forward in this year.  The rains have not been good, and it seems that the maize crops will be poor unless we get more rain.  That means a lot more hunger.  However, if our ladies are able to make and sell more of their craft items, it will provide money to feed their families.  At the last meeting they were asking if they could be paid so that they could pay the school fees for their children.  Their children had been "chased" from school because they haven't paid the fees.  So Tuesday will be pay day.

 

And we in the US complain about our finances, even though we never have to worry about our kids going to school, or our children being hungry.

 

 

 

 

The Blessings of Volunteers

 

Many of you who read this blog have visited and served here at our Village of Hope.  In the last month we have been reminded once again of the blessing that each person is to us and the gifts you, as volunteers, share with us.

 

In the last month we have had a great variety of wonderful contributions to our work here.  Susan, Steve, and Jim who came and helped with organization and structure, Steve who spent hours daily working with Patrick on the finances, Dave who helped design and set up our dairy program so that the children will have milk to drink to add calcium to their diet, and Sue, whose plans for the courtyard at the school, based on all the children's suggestions should become a reality and a thing of beauty in the next month or so.

 

We are now beginning to make plans and schedules for other volunteers in 2011.  We look forward with joy to anyone who may come to join with us here at the Village of Hope. 

 

 

 

 

Healthy Children

 

A woman came last weekend to interview for a position as housemother.  She has visited many other orphan care ministries.  She made a comment that we heard recently from a government official who was visiting.  "These children look so healthy.  I've never seen children looking this good at any other place I have been."

 

She was also surprised and pleased with the way that the children greeted her.  Since we are all so used to meeting new folks, welcoming them, and interacting, the children have learned to be friendly and polite.  Although we teach them these things, it was a joy to hear from her that the children are putting into practice what they have been taught.

 

It is a joy to know that God has given us a mission and the strength to provide a quality home for these wonderful children.