Thursday we arranged a morning meeting to discuss completion of the hammermill building. Originally, Friday was to oversee the project but that has not panned out, and the cooperative has found someone they feel can take on the job. John, father of Benjamin, one of the students in the Living Compassion program, has done some volunteer work on previous construction related to the project.
Before meeting with John we checked in on the day’s activities around the cooperative. The sewing gals were hard at work on the bags we have contracted with them to make for Sangha Market. It was very fun to see the full-scale production flow in action: the cutters, sewers, ironers, braiders, all doing their part.
Brenda and Eugenia cutting.
Ethel sewing.
The colors in the room is a work of art in itself.
We loved this one shoe on one shoe off picture of Nelly.
The men had made an excellent start on the pit latrines; it is hard going through the rocky soil.
Peter in the close hole, Shadreck in the other. The others waiting their turn.
Mama Cheri takes a turn.
We met with John and Theresa to lay out the building plan, feeling grateful for the skills our team possesses. Cheri has vast experience as a builder and can mentor the folks here, setting out a plan that will be in keeping with our way of doing things. Jen oversees the financial soundness of the plan and holds everyone to timeline agreements. Our hope is to have the structure complete by the first rains in late October.
Left to right: Jen, Theresa, John, Cheri, Ashwini
John in his fabulous CK shirt.
A few great shots around the property.
We never cease to marvel at how beautiful the compound has become.
Nor how beautiful our young friends are!
Nor our old friends. We think this photo particularly captures how adorable Anne and Margaret really are!
Violet and Lucy watering the new lawn.
Jen and Cheri doing a little shopping at the tuck shop.
Ashwini assisted the cooperative with figuring the cost of the bags they are making for us, deciding what price to charge. It was an excellent opportunity for the women to learn what it means to make a profit, what price they need to charge in order to cover their costs as well as make a reasonable profit.
We rushed off to the airport as Jasmine’s plane flew overhead, arriving 20 minutes early. For those who follow the blogs, you know Jasmine is a designer starting a business in Canada selling baby blankets that will be sewn by the Living Compassion cooperative. Now that the sewing cooperative is ready for production, everyone is very excited to meet her and begin exploring the potential of a large-scale project for the cooperative. It is a huge opportunity!
Jen and Jasmine waiting to talk with someone about her delayed luggage.
Jasmine is a real trooper. After over 48 hours of travel, she still had the energy to jump into discussions about the production of her baby blankets.