Whilst we focused earlier on in the year on our project in Leicester, today I want to share news of our sewing hubs in Africa. I’m so excited that we now have £1335 for the project in Tanzania. So far, the money has provided 3 sewing machines, all capable of being converted from electric to treadle power when they arrive in Tanzania, as well as a digital tablet and an electric saw for cutting large volumes. All this equipment is on it’s way to Tanzania as we write and should arrive in the next few days, at which point we will be able to start training and helping to build a new sewing small business enterprise in the refugee camp.  Give to our Tanzania fundAs more funding comes, we plan to provide funds for fabric and treadle bases for the sewing machines, which will be locally sourced. We also plan to support the group with much-needed live training, rather than asking them to navigate online platforms. We’d like to get some of our video resources translated so that the local tailors can easily follow the instructions and believe this will improve efficiency as they serve the local community. In turn, we hope that this will also increase the visibility of the hub and help it to develop more quickly. To stay up to date with the work in Uganda and Tanzania, sign up for our mailing list here. Ten Community, Uganda We’ve also started a second sewing hub in the Teso region in Uganda, a link that’s been made through Ten Community. Ten Community have already set up a business hub, built sewing and carpentry workshops and are providing business training to make goods for sale in Mbale. The trainers are currently familiarising themselves with our resources so they’re prepared and ready to welcome new trainees when the academic year starts in January. It’s an absolute privilege to be welcomed into this community. Covid has undoubtedly changed the world, and yet it seems even more possible now to build relationships with brothers and sisters who are far away. We’ve already had several online sessions with the group and are so excited to see this partnership develop. A Friday afternoon sewing class has become a firm fixture in our weekly diaries.  Burundi and Nigeria Finally, we have started to talk to a group called GLO in Burundi. Great Lakes Outreach have helped set up and support a variety of charities in Burundi, supporting people from all sorts of situations improve their lives. We had the privilege of meeting with 3 of these charities last week to explore how we can serve them to serve those in their communities whoa rein need. More information about this collaboration in the new year!  In the meantime, take a look at the garments from Nigeria – aren’t they fantastic?! Please do help us, help others: consider buying someone you know a dress from our group in Nigeria… or one of our new pieces of jewellery from Oswestry. Thank you once again for being a partner in all that we aim to achieve and do. Maria & The Dorcas Dress Project team |