Other Africa-Inspired Quilts

I hope you have all enoyed a wonderful Christmas, full of all the good things that bring us together - especially friends, family, food. And that you have been enjoying a relaxing Boxing Day - tidying up the leftover bits of paper and ribbon, cleaning up the remaining turkey and trimmings, bringing back some sense of order to your home and life. Boxing Day is one of my favourites of the year - I indulge in reading a good book, doing a Sudoku or two, and possibly bringing out a new jigsaw puzzle to try. It's also been a day to begin thinking about what I want to work on next - which quilts I have managed to work on this year
and which quilts I hope to work on during the coming year. I thought you would enjoy seeing a few previously unposted Africa-inspired quilts, to get your own creative juices going. First is Sandy's African Collage piece - beautifully balanced, and most effective in showcasing the African art work. Next is Margaret Kelly's scrap piece, which I might have showed you before. It's been donated to the Kitambaa Sewing project, and will be quilted and bound shortly, with Opportunities to Own it being offered to you whenever it makes an appearance.The next two photos show the front and detailed quilting on
Janet Archibald's African Collage. Just gorgeous, Janet. She took the motifs from around the silk-screened animals and used them as the inspiration for the quilting designs she used in her border. And lastly are three little hut Christmas ornaments - made by the Niger quilters I introduced you to earlier this month. Perhaps they might be a fund-raiser for us for next Christmas? I also wanted to let you know that most of the money to finish Alice's new sewing school has now been raised. Christmas sales were terrific! There have also been donations of 5 new sponsorships for students to her school, and several donations of sewing machines, so that graduating students can be provided with treadles, fabric and thread as they begin their own businesses. My husband will be leaving for Uganda the day after tomorrow, and will be gone for 4 months. He is taking new "fashions" for Alice and her students to start producing, as well as some of the fabric they need for borders, new sewing machine
needles, more embroidery floss, and various other things for the Bitengye Designers. He will be seeing all of them at one time or another, so will send photos that I will then be able to pass on to you. Thank you to all of you who have continued to support this work, and who have bought items made by these remarkable women, and so have enabled them to provide for their families in all the ways we take for granted we can provide for our own families. You have truly made a difference in their lives!

A New Shipment from the Bitengye Designers

Just before I left for Canmore and Calgary, a new shipment of goods made by the Bitengye Designers arrived. This is always exciting. We unpack the large posho (cornmeal) sacks in which they come, and look to see who made what, and to exclaim over colours and fabrics and the women's craftmanship. We check off the order against Athens carefully listed inventory, and then begin taking them out to various sales. This being the season for Christmas sales, is our busiest time of year. We were delighted to receive cosmetic bags (we'd sold out of these), paper bead necklaces and beaded bracelets, as well as being able to replenish supplies of Alice bags in two different sizes. Trudy Thorne continues to be the one looking after all this inventory, and re-orders items from Athens whenever the stock is getting low. Athens then contacts Alice with the order, and Alice divies up the work amongst all the Bitengye members. You can also see that lots of paper bead necklaces and bracelets arrived in this same shipment, and soon - very soon - we will have the new and improved Kitambaa and Bitengye website up and running, so that you will be able to
order these items directly from the web, using paypal, if you're not close enough to attend one of the sales where these products will be sold. The great thing in all of this is how well all the women are doing, that the order system we set up is now working well, and that we're able to communicate with Alice via emails to Athens during the year, as well as when we travel to Uganda. Thanks again to all of you who support this project. Nothing would have been possible without all of you.

Hornby Island Quilt Show

On the August long weekend, I participated in the Hornby Island Quilt Show. Held at the farm of Eleanora and Heinz Laffin, it is a super outdoor event, showcasing the quilts made by members of the Hornby Island quilters since they last had a show (2 years ago, in this case). Quilts were hung on the sides of the farm house, on the walls of the guest cabin, under the apple trees, even on the outhouse. I was invited to bring items made by the Bitengye Designers, and had my own little corner between a double swing and the workshed. As in previous years, the sun chose to shine, and it was well visited by residents of and visitors to Hornby Island. The
day ended with pizza from the Cardboard Bakery for all the quilters and invited guests. I was thrilled when Nora and her parents (and my husband David) arrived just as things were winding up. I'll have more photos from this event and from Hornby on my next post.

A Few Last Photos of the Bitengye Designers

Here are Lidiya, Recheal and Stella - on their way home to Kikagati. Besides their sewing supplies, Recheal is taking home a sack full of dresses for the women of the HIV positive group (thanks to all of you who donated these dresses), money to rent two plots of lands on which 8 members of the group can grow crops, the first monthly installment of funds to buy basic food for those in her group too ill to work, and the assurance of money in a transport fund so those who need treatment can travel to Mbarara to get it. I couldn't resist including the next photo of the women quilting away in a heavy downpour. These heavy thunderstorms arrive quite quickly, and the women simply moved their machines a little further toward the centre of the classroom, so that they wouldn't get wet while sewing. And lastly is a photo of them walking down the road, away from Canada House, to the hostel where they stayed for the workshop, and the community centre where they ate their meals. These women have given so much to us, and as we pack our bags ready to go back to Kampala, we are already missing them.

A Day in the Life of Bitengye

The last few afternoons have been warm here in Uganda, although it's still cool in the mornings. But the Bitengye ladies still work right through, from 8:30 in the morning until 6:30 at night. And even then it's often difficult to send them on their way. Today a large black cloud had materialized by 6:00, and I encouraged them to go home before the rains came. Their answer was "If we wait, the rain will go." Followed by hoots of laughter. They have no intention of giving up any working time during these last few days of the workshop. Meanwhile, Joan has begun to teach a new member of the group how to make beaded
bracelets. Dorothy is from Rubingo, and had been hoping she could join the Bitengye group. She is a member of the widows group there, and friend of Annah, and was delighted to produce two finished bracelets by the end of the day. Our days usually end with singing and sometimes some dancing, praise for a good day of work, for the opportunity to learn how to make new things, and that we are all are still alive. Not even that is taken for granted.

The Work Goes On

Alice has taken to spending much of her day at the table under the big tree, where she helps anyone needing it with measuring or cutting or squaring up. Here she is with Justina and Lydia and Sheilla. Meanwhile another table is set up on the porch of the big house, and is used by those working a little more independently. Kamidah and Recheal are part of that group. Those whose work is still not quite up to standard, are continuing to make placemats, while the others are now moving on to new projects. Thankfully everyone seems to be happy with this new way of working. My son Ben has been taking portraits of
the women, both in groups and individually, and we have been meeting with each of the Bitengye women on their own, collecting their stories, hearing about their lives. So many of these women tell the story of not being educated because they grew up at a time when the value of education was not so widely recognized, or there simply wasn't enough money for food, let alone education. Many come from families of 11 or 12 children. Every one has overcome all sorts of almost unimaginable difficulties in their lives, and yet they say enthusiastically "I am alive", in thanksgiving and some astonishment. They are amazing women.

A Marvellous Day

Tuesday saw all the Bitengye Designers hard at work on their placemats. They were quieter than usual, knowing that the bar had been raised, and that each would be graded on their work. They worked slowly and carefully, under the able and incredibly patient instruction of Alice, while we waited to see the results. The first to present their finished placemats were the finest seamstresses, all of whom received high marks for their work. But then their were the strugglers. As the afternoon wore on, we became more and more apprehensive regarding their work. It was almost 6:30 by the time the last three women presented their mats to Alice, Joan and myself, and we couldn't have been more astonished or more pleased. These three, whom we had even considered not inviting to the workshop this year, outdid themselves and all received passing grades. The placemats are now all a standard (and slightly smaller) size, with loose threads removed, straight edges (or just about), and with even stitching. We couldn't have been happier. I only wish you could have heard the singing and seen the dancing as all the
Bitengye women celebrated at the end of the day. It was a marvellous day indeed!!! (Pictured here are Sheilla, Stella and Liydia, putting the final touches on their placemats.)

Update on the Bitengye Designers

It is now just over 4 months since we returned from Uganda, and thoughts of the Bitengye Designers and the widows and their families are never very far from our minds. We're already thinking about what new projects or designs we will teach the women when we return again in January. Our present plan is to meet with Alice for at least a week before all the other women arrive, so that we can teach her these new things. Then she will teach the other women, with our support, for the workshop itself. But what has happened since we left? Well, we've had 2 large shipments of items, and sales for most of these

is going very well. We now have people in five different provinces helping us sell what they make. Alice has the roof on her school. And at least one of the tourist craft shops in Kampala at which we left their products has sold out of them. We are gradually handing over more of the management of the orders to Alice, with Nightingale (you may remember that she was our wonderful translator this year) and Perez, helping Alice understand and reply to the emails we send to her. In addition to the already sponsored secondary school students we have, we've begun a scholarship to Alice's sewing

school. The first student started in the spring, and now a group of quilters in Whistler has made a second scholarship available. (It cost about $150 for a year's tuition.) We have had two Singer Featherweight sewing machines donated to Alice, and will arrange for these to be set up with solar power when we are next in Uganda. And we have received donations of 5 more sewing machines for next year's project. We are investigating possible new crafts to teach the women, and hopefully a few new women, and will be trying to practice one or two over the summer ourselves, in order to be ready to teach others. A group of quilters in Victoria is busy working on the next raffle quilt, and framed batiks will soon be available for purchase. Thank you to all of you who are supporting this very small grass-roots project. As most of you know, we raise all our own funds to carry on with this, and couldn't do it without the help of so many of you. So, many, many thanks to each and every one of you.

A Door for My House

Finally, my piece for this year's effort of the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness, is completed. Better late than never. More than fifty individual pieces have been made, each one reflecting the artist's interpretation of this year's theme for the Stephen Lewis Foundation - Turning the Tide. Each one is astounding, personal, and speaks of the hope and positive change that is happening among the women of African, in spite of, or because of HIV/AIDS. All sorts of techniques and materials have been used to convey the story of what is possible, "one ripple at a time". The collection has already begun its tour throughout western Canada, and if you have the opportunity to see it, I would encourage you to get out and do so. A full catalogue of the pieces and the venues in which they will be displayed can be seen on the website - www.glaciergrannies.org. As for my piece, the central block is based on a photograph I took of Alice teaching the other Bitengye Designers how to thread a treadle sewing machine. The blocks surrounding it. tell the

story of the way life has changed for these amazing women, since they have learned how to sew. It illustrates the things they have been able to purchase, since they started to have an income. Annah told me she'd bought a cow, Knight bought a bed for herself, and Rechael bought a door for her house. A book has been published containing photos of the entire collection, and can be purchased wherever the quilts are being showcased. And all proceeds will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which continues to support widows and grandmothers, and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. If you haven't already read it, I would suggest you get

yourself a copy of "Race Against Time". Stephen Lewis articulates the difficulties in combatting this pandemic as few others have. And despite the frustrations in so doing, continues to remember the women of Africa, and to do what he can, what his Foundation can, to "Turn the Tide". And while it is a wee drop in the bucket, the Bitengye Designers are doing that too. I applaud both of them from the bottom of my heart!

Other Ugandan Friends

In the last few days, I've had time to look over some of the photos taken by Joan and by Trudy, and wanted to share some of these with you. The first photo is of Resty, who has a shop in one of the craft markets in Kampala, and who sells some of the best quality batiks available. She also works with the National Arts Organization, and has accepted articles made by the Bitengye Designers for sale in her shop. The next photo is of Nightingale, who was our translator this year. She was wonderful to work with, always anticipating where she might be needed

and keenly interested in the Bitengye women. In

fact she has offered her home in Mbarara to anyone who has need to come to town, whether for health reasons or for new fabric, as her children are now all grown up, and she has extra space. Next are the leaders of the Mutual Benefit Society in Kikagati, including Recheal and Lydia. Elly was our guide and a wonderful resource while we were visiting in that area. He is an amazing man, who made a radio station from parts of a calculator and other parts. He worked for ACTS for some years, but now he has been discovered by the UN and is one of their IT people. But he made it a condition of his

employment with them that he be able to take regular time off to work with the widows and grandmothers group in his home of Kikagati. Lastly are the group of elderly widows in Kikagati. They are too old to work in the fields any more, so the younger widows support the older ones, sharing what little food they have with them. As you can probably tell, all of these courageous folk are often in our thoughts. When we said goodbye to the Bitengye members they said to us "Please don't forget us." And we won't.

Qualities of a Good Tailor

I was browsing through my Uganda photos this evening, and came upon a photo of a page from Alice's notebook. Written when she was attending tailoring school, it outlines the qualities of a good tailor. I thought you would enjoy reading it too. I especially like the one that says that a good tailor is always "smart". In Uganda this means "classy", or "well-dressed", as opposed to clever. But there are a few other points we might take from this too. Alice certainly is the model of a good tailor, from everything I've seen. (I hope you can read this!)

Home Again, Home Again (Jiggety-Jig)

For those of you who have been following this blog, and who have been wondering if we just vanished into thin air when we left Uganda, let me reassure you that yes, we are home, but it has taken much longer to get our feet on the ground than expected. I must remember for next time that jet-lag has as much to do with a sense of place and purpose, as it does with a sense of

time. For the first few days, I wandered aimlessly from room to room, wondering what it was exactly that I do when I'm here. I looked out my window and there were no people in evidence anywhere. I went outside, but the chilliness of this world chased me inside again pretty quickly. And I didn't want to unpack. Something in me didn't want it all to come to an end, so I delayed and delayed. But then this last weekend, I attended a quilting retreat, and that was just the ticket I needed to get myself back home. So here I am again, in Comox, BC. This marvellous quilt pictured here is by Judy Morningstar, and is called Stitching Bright Tomorrows. It captures the energy and fun and determination of the Bitengye Designers in Judy's inimatable style, and is surrounded by actual bags and placemats made with African fabrics. It's Judy's entry in the Turning the Tide exhibit, the sequel to the hugely successful Seeds of Hope exhibit, a fund raiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I love it, love it, love it. And am so thankful for Judy's generosity in first making the quilt, her support for the Bitengye Designers, and for letting me post the photo here on my blog.

Final Days

This photo was taken just before the end of this year's workshop. Kitambaa and friends had a last photo taken before packing up the Round House, taking down the quilts, putting the supplies away for another year, and then attending to our own packing. We are bringing back a fair supply of fabric (surprise, surprise!), as well as beads and necklaces, batiks and baskets, and other treasures. Also 72 shirts made by the Bitengye Designers for the Victoria Children's Choir, and samples of all the other "new fashions" made this year. Many items have already been sold, or left as samples in a number of venues. In less than a week we will be home again, and all of this will be a wonderful memory. Thank you, once again, to all of you who have been a part of this project. We hope to see many of you in the coming months, to show you updated photos, and most importantly the items made by the Bitengye Designers, the sale of which has made such a terrific difference in their lives.

The Workshop Ends

So the workshop has come to an end. The participants have been presented with certificates, prizes have been given and we can't help feeling enormously proud of what each of the members of the Bitengye Designers has accomplished in the last 2 1/2 weeks. It was an emotional good-bye as they left for their homes - clearly the time they spend together here in Mbarara is a highlight of the year for them. It's a novelty for them to stay in accomodation with meals provided and to learn something new, and a welcome break to be able to leave their usual responsibilities behind them for awhile. The relationships between the women are stronger, and they certainly occupy a special place in our hearts. All twelve women are more committed than ever to their work, and having seen the changes a little income can make, are keen to continue the work they have begun. As for us, we are already beginning to plan for next year.

The Amazing Alice

Alice has completed her "African Thunderstorm" quilt and has moved onto another "new fashion". Her eagerness in learning new designs knows no bounds, so we have been teaching her patterns that she can teach the rest of the Bitengye Designers during the rest of the year, as they are able. She has agreed to continue as Coordinator of the group next year, which makes all of us extremely happy. And for our part, we have decided to spend a week just with Alice next year, so she can get some concentrated teaching time herself. She spends so much time in the workshop helping other students, help that she gives with patience and humour. When we interviewed her about her life, she acknowledged that she is responsible for 11 members of her family, including 6 siblings, 2 nieces, her mother and her auntie. She is the only one with work, and this is what fires her single-mindedness and her work ethic. "That's why I'm still single" she said, "I am responsible for so many." Getting married has had to be delayed many times." Alice is a gem of a person, and we couldn't ask for a more able Coordinator for the group.

Large Hut Wallhangings/Lap Quilts

Here's another design the ladies have been working on - large huts in a row, with rows of rail fence alternating. They've used flannelette instead of batting, backed them, and put on binding. The quilting itself has been kept to a minimum, as they don't have walking feet for their machines - so in-the-ditch quilting has been most appropriate. The women who were still having some difficulty continued to work on tablecloths while the more advanced worked on these. They're pleased with their efforts, and we just hope that both the tablecloths and the large wallhangings will sell well as home, as they're a much bigger investment of fabric and time than any previously made items.

Bitengye Tablerunners

Aren't these gorgeous tablerunners? Most have blue borders but some have green borders. Many have been completed and today we began packing them away in a tote ready to go home. Now that we're down to the last few days of the workshop, time is flying. And the ladies are sewing up a storm. I think it was 6:40 before they went home yesterday afternoon, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did the same tonight. Each time they complete an item and it has been checked for quality, they sign a paper with the date, the name of the item, and the amount they will be paid. On Friday the list will be added up for each individual, and pay packets distributed. Then they will buy new fabrics from some of their proceeds, with which to continue sewing once they're back home. Long hours, much laughter, and sheer determination are in evidence everywhere!

Sheilla and Bright

Sheilla is the youngest member of the Bitengye Designers, and is 22. She has a daughter, Viola, who is 3, and here she is with her six month old son, Bright. She lives here in Ruharo, in a small mud hut with her mother. Her mother has been ill for sometime, although feeling much better this year, and Sheilla is her caregiver. Her sister and niece have come to stay with their mother while Sheilla attends the workshop. Recheal has a neighbour to look after her 3 year old until the other children come home from school, at which point Christia, who is 8, looks after all four children. In Kikagati, the cook had a one-month old baby, whom she strapped to the back of her 10 year old daughter, to look after while she was working. And this is much more the norm - babies strapped to the backs of children who have barely left babyhood themselves. There's something to be said for the older children taking responsibility for the younger children (when we were first married, David was newly returned from Burundi, and saw no reason we shouldn't have twelve children, because of this very thing!); but is vastly different from the responsibilities we give to our children back in Canada.

A Hot Day in Mbarara

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a hot one. The ladies worked hard on their table runners all day, and most of them had finished their first one by six o'clock, when they returned to the hostel where they are staying. Yesterday was also the first lesson in putting on binding, and here are Tumushabe, Sheilla and Maudah, who found one of the coolest spots in the garden to sit in while they did the hand stitching. Today they will continue with these table runners - I think you'll like them. A quilting friend on the Sunshine Coast showed me how to make these, when I was at their retreat last fall. Thank you so much!

Lydian and Kamidah

Lydia and Kamidah come from Rubingo, and worked together on this tablecloth (the blue or green borders are still to be added). It was their turn to have their photograph taken - a way of praising them for the good work they've done. It's heart-warming to see the way they're ready to applaud one another's efforts. We have had to do a good bit of un-stitching, however, in the last couple of days, and are now wondering how to let the more advanced students go ahead with new designs, while making sure those who still need more practice, get it. Today we will talk to Alice about the possibility of breaking the class into two groups, and how best to do this.