My parents were here for two weeks last month. Mostly they came to see us (more specifically our kids), but they also helped us to get re-started on vocational training at Kindle. Many of their neighbors and friends from square dancing donated a pile of tools and money to buy tools, cameras, a laptop, fabric, and various other things that are expensive or difficult to find in Malawi. In the end, they brought over $1500 worth of equipment for Kindle.

Then they spent a couple of days at Kindle with some of the secondary school students we sponsor, helping to teach them about sewing and carpentry.

Dad teaching the boys to use a plane
Dad teaching the boys to use a plane

 

Mom overseeing the girls (including Jolie) as they made handbags
Mom overseeing the girls (including Jolie) as they made handbags

After the girls finished hand sewing, they learned to use a treadle sewing machine. We have four of these at Kindle, and would like to get eight more so we can teach 12 girls (or boys if they are interested!) at a time how to use the machines. It is our hope that they will be able to learn a skill that they can use to benefit their families and the community. For the boys (or girls!) we now have enough tools to get started, but we need to identify a local person who can be their teacher. And before we start anything we need to finish the building. It won’t be good to have rain come in on the new sewing machines!

Abusa Nyirongo teaching the girls to use a treadle sewing machine
Abusa Nyirongo teaching the girls to use a treadle sewing machine