So here is a photo of the whole group - now called Bitenge Designers. They chose this name themselves - bitenge being the plural of kitenge, which is the type of fabric they are sewing with. They have chosen a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer for each area (Bunyonyi, Rubingo, Kikigati), and Alice will be the overallCoordinator of the group. Yesterday we gave them their pay packets for the work each one has completed, and then they purchased more fabric from "Alice's Shop" in an exercise that was designed to get them thinking about how to use the money they received. They decided to purchase fabric as a group, and to share it so that they would always have a good selection. Several visitors have dropped by Canada House to see what we've been doing these last three weeks, and we've already sold 10 sets of placemats! The rest will be coming home to Canada with us for sale at home, as will the cushion-covers and wallhangings.
Congratulations, Pippa and Donna, for a job well done! You must be very proud of all the ladies' achievements, as proud as they should also be of themselves! The blogs have been very enjoyable reading, and very educational. Thank you. E and C.
ReplyDeleteI feel a bright, sustainable future for each of these amazing, hardworking women and their families.
ReplyDeleteMy hat's off to you for dreaming to offer such a workshop and then to make it a reality. What better way to share your love of quilting than an income-based, women's iniative?
Dawne
PS - Even my husband reads your blog and he doesn't know anything about quilting! A link to how to buy the placemats would be helpful for him as Mother's Day approaches. (hint, hint)
Thank you so much for the wonderful photos and the time and work you have done helping these women help themselves. A most admiral venture and both my daughter & I have enjoyed your
ReplyDeleteBlog.
Mercedes
And, on to the future! How can we help to raise money to keep this venture going?
ReplyDelete