She writes:
Dear Callum,
Today I visited the sewing shop again at Bethlehem Church. After being there I decided to give up things with another project because I think this work really needs focus.
They have the machines up and running but there is not enough organisation to guarantee the best use of them. I met with the leaders and teachers today and this is what I have suggested, and has been accepted as a better way forward:
The women who want to have sewing lessons or embroidery must register. The young girls and Married women will be learning to sew as before, the embroidery classes will be mainly for the Widows. We began the registration today.
Sewing Machines
Four teachers have been dedicated to the project already, one of whom is a specialist in the embroidery machine that is currently lent to the workshop by a church member. Since none of them are paid they cannot give a lot of time because they must work at home also to raise money.
I believe for the project to be secure and well-run, their needs to be at least one sewing teacher hired to look after the workshop and govern the lessons. I proposed the main-teacher there already WIVENE BATEMBE be hired from next Monday 04/07/2011 part-time 24hrs p.w. for $50 p.m.. She can teach four 2hour classes, meaning 24pupils a day (72 per week).
The others two female teachers have agreed to stay on a voluntary basis to help Monday-Wednesday with classes. They two girls are: AMANI and LUMOO. The male teacher for the embroidery machine, EVARISTE, has also agreed to keep helping on a voluntary basis for now on Mondays and Tuesdays.
There are approximately 100 women who want to do sewing, meaning that until other machines can be moved to Bethlehem not all those interested can be included in a class. There are however other crafts at the centre and I think it will be prudent for the leaders to encourage more women into these.
We will have organised and registered the women into classes by Friday 1/07/2011.
Outwith the classes, the workshop can then be used by women who are already competent and want to work on creating products to sell. This means what is needed is people to open and close the property and watch over while work is done. The female leaders of the church have agreed to do this. These women are: MWICHO FRANCOISE, MUREKATETE PASSY and NYAKALIMA SELA. I believe many of the women wanted to concentrate on making school uniforms to sell when the school term starts again in September and the main-teacher WIVENE will want to be present to supervise this on these days also. The machines will be available to use Thursday and Friday for 4hr slots. This means that 24 women can have a 4hr slot to work per week.
Embroidery Classes
The main leader for these classes is VIRGINIE FURAHA who is the leader of the Widows and Rape Victims ministry at Bethlehem Church. She is very competent, patient and organised and knows who she is working with very well. She is definitely the best women to keep running this ministry. She is a rape victim herself and has already helped many others.
I propose that VIRGINIE also be hired on a part-time basis to give her security in the work that she is doing and allow her to dedicate all her time to her ministry. Her salary will also be $50 p.m. for 24hrs p.w. (though I know she will do much more). She has a group of 60 widows who she has already started training.
Other Crafts
Cooking stoves, mats, bags
More organisation needs to be put into these craft groups but I think we must concentrate on sorting the sewing shop first
Immediate Help Needed
The two part-time salaries I am willing to cover personally ($100) for sure for the first month. I believe I may be able to cover the second also but after the increased cost of my visa money is short. The need is great and this is something that I believe the project NEEDS to be effective so it is in Comfort Congo and God’s hands to happen.
Secondly I was handed a list today of materials the women need. The total of this list comes to $553 (£375). The major part of this which is really NEEDED by Monday 4/07/2011 when the classes start is for the sewing shop. This comes to $335 (£200) (it is materials to make school uniforms). When I meet with the two teachers this coming Thursday I really want to question the intended profitability in the sewing shop, and its aim. In what I have seen so far there does not seem enough directed vision for the workshop - is it a school or a business? Most importantly the machines need to be effectively used to genuinely improve the lives of the women.
So outright I am requesting from Comfort the $553 needed. I can supervise personally the wise-spending of this money. I will be working closely with Wivene from now on the help the transition of the shop for this time.
I know this seems like so much. This was not an easy day! But discussing and agreeing with the other female leaders this is change that NEEDS to happen to allow the machines to be used effectively in the community.
I am willing to write a personal contract with the women for the first month which they will sign this coming Thursday when we meet together. Will meet 7.30am tomorrow to start the ball rolling.
MUNGA AKA BARIKI!
Praying that God’s provision will come,
Carys
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