On each trip we are on the lookout for people, particularly women, who can act as mentors for the community between our visits. It is very difficult for young people, especially young women, to manage to stay in school, partially because of finances, but more because of a perceived lack of opportunity at the end of their education, along with the pressure toward early marriage.
Last week, while looking for sewing machine motors, Friday took us to a local tailoring shop owned by an extraordinary woman. She's an imposing figure, at least six feet tall, with enough energy and enthusiasm for several people. In the course of our conversation we learned that over the years she's taught many women to sew. She does it to empower them. As she said, "I tell them, you don't need to go to school for this. You just need to use your brains and apply yourself. Even if you never sew for a living, if you just sew clothes for yourself and your children, it's a good skill to have." Yes, indeed!
We also asked Eunice's younger sister Gertrude, who is getting a business degree from Northrise University (the school Godfrey attends), if she knew anyone who might be interested in a small job going out to Kantolomba once a week to take photos and collect stories on projects and progress. She immediately thought of someone she feels would be perfect for the position. At about the same time we learned that Memory, one of the young women working as a sort of receptionist/concierge at the Lodge, has a dream of returning to school to study journalism. Hmmm...we might be closing in on something here. All three of these gals could be excellent role models for young women (and older women), in Kantolomba. We will continue to explore possibilities.
(As we publish this blog our photographer guests have gone home and taken their fabulous photos of our potential mentors with them. We will show them off later!)
Things are heating up! This morning we have four teams going:
- arranging for the clothes pins that will go in the bags the women are sewing
- photographing children
- filming interviews of the staff
- getting electricity to the new sewing room
We try not to have favorites and Patrick is pretty fun!
Margaret and Agness
Those eyes!
The staff interviews outside on the lawn.
Interviews had to move inside to minimize background noise.
McKenzie hangs out with those waiting for interviews.
Once the electricity was hooked up, Friday measured the doors and windows for the new sewing room. We have two security guards but people are adamant that they are not enough to keep the place safe. As much as we have resisted the notion, we will be installing metal grills on both doors and the six windows. In addition, we will need to finish the ceiling, put heavy curtains on the windows, and cover everything in the room at night. Those of us with plenty to eat can forget that starving people are very motivated to get their hands on anything that can be turned into food.
Friday at the breaker box.
Bob spots Friday while he feeds the wires over the rafters.
Friday takes a phone call while up on the ladder.
A break for lunch.
Back to hard labor after eating!
More great smiles
We departed as dusk settled in.