Women’s “sewing” group
Last August we blogged about a women’s group in western Uganda (near Kagadi) learning to make quilts and other crafts. The group had formed through the efforts of a former IVEPer who learned the craft in Canada. At that time we only had a very short time with the women because rain was threatening. Since then MCC Uganda gave them a small grant to buy some sewing machines, thread, backing, batting, scissors, etc. Sally Jo wanted to spend more time with the women. Since December there was been no rain, so the roads were dry and it seemed a good time to travel there.
This time Sally Jo was able to spend half a day with the women. After the obligatory formal speeches and gifts she was able to talk individually with most of the women. About half of the women could speak some English and with the others “talking” involved many hand signals and smiles. One woman was very patient in trying to teach her how to weave reed strips to make a mat. Sally Jo was “all thumbs” and eventually had to give up.
Children accompanied their mothers, sleeping when needed, and eating when hungry. Children from the local school were of course also very curious.
