Embroidery class

One of Sewing Hope's initiatives for this fall was to send 3 of our teacher to do additional training to improve their skills, eventually to pass on to their students. Well, I am happy to report that all 3 have completed the 3 months course. I went to visit them on Friday and see the results of their education.

From Left: Toepista, an assistant teacher who actually was not part of the class, but in the picture because we love her. Mary (front) who everyone affectionately calls "old Mary". "Young Mary" is next (in white), then Sarah. And, in the lower right corner is Kanna, their teacher.

These women not only learned alot, but were proud and happy to tell me how much they love eachother and now consider themselves family.

They pulled out piles and piles of work they had completed. I could see the stages of improvement through the weeks they worked. See some before-and-after's of their work in the next post.

Back in Uganda

So, as some, but not all, of you know, I am back in Uganda for the month of February. In an effort to move towards someday working for Fount of Mercy full-time, I am trying to spend more and more time in-country, building our Sewing Hope and other vocational programs. I am very excited to be back!

The purpose of this particular trip is mainly to do follow-up from the summer, prepare for the coming summer, and to generally solidify on paper what our work is...so that we can apply for grants, document our work more intentionally, and continue improving what we do here. I am working closely with Lori Acton, Fount's International Development Director, who lives here full-time.

Traveling here would have been uneventful, had I not hurt my foot the day before I left. And, as always, I procrastinated and had to not only clean my entire apartment and pack, but I also had errands to run and shopping to do last-minute. That, combined with hobbling through airports, did a number on my foot, so I spent the first few days mainly at our apartment, setting up meetings and preparing for my work.

It has been good to be here without being responsible for a team. Don't get me wrong, leading a team here is some of the most fulfilling work I do. But it is also intense and every moment is accounted for. Figuring out a "real" life here has been really good....slower. As I consider being here more, I need to figure out how to really live here. Lori and Rini, Fount's intern, have been great at showing me their daily life...where they shop, etc...and they cook amazing food using local fresh ingredients!!!..another first, as I am used to eating out every night.