Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Challenging, Creative Work

I thought I'd just give a glimpse of a few of the things that were simultaneously happening in the Self-Sustainability Program (sewing program) today. We have 12 people on staff and three part-time volunteer staff in this department. Eight of our 12 staff are HIV+. We had about 15 HIV+ women working on various projects during their classes today. Every day different women come so that we can train about 100+ women.

Most of the activities described below were led by our staff. All in all, I guess this is a pretty typical day, but no two days are ever the same! By no means is this an exhaustive list of what we did today. It's just what I can remember while I was in the midst of my own projects.
  • Finished reading Esther, chapter 10, as a staff.
  • Designed surgical caps for a special order. Washed the fabric. Women began production.
  • Figured out a costing plan for 6 different sizes of gift bags
  • Received a request for a large student group from another state to visit us in May for the purpose of education and awareness about HIV/AIDS.
  • Went back to the recording studio to fix one of our songs.
  • Quilted a beautiful 50" Africa set on a maroon background.
  • Affirmed the leaf quilt blocks that one quilter made.
  • Consulted with another quilter on what color of sashing she should put between her quilt blocks.
  • Drew up plans for wooden cabinets for the tailoring room and the quilting room. Called the carpenter.
  • Had a major confrontation/counseling with a man who is trying to woo numerous women at the same time.
  • Taught basic reading skills to a number of women.
  • Did paperwork and entered data into the computer.
  • Checked in new inventory.
  • Cross-checked records and expense reports.
  • Supervised the older orphan girls on sewing skills (they are still on their Easter break from school)
  • Designed an extra-long table runner in deep autumn colors.
  • Quilted bedspreads on the long-arm quilting machine for a guesthouse.
  • Designed a better handle for one of our handbags.
  • Had a major counseling session on marital issues.
  • Did quality control on items submitted to the shop.
  • Fixed a banquet dress for a student
  • Tried to finish up a big order of 'dog clothes' for a foreign company.
  • Sewed a dress for a customer.
  • Picked up a dress to use as a pattern for another customer.
  • Sent prices to a customer who loves our quilts and wants to buy more.
  • Figured out a food budget for the Bezer Home residents for the next month.
  • Met together for weekly staff prayer.
All in all, it was a good day.

2 comments:

Sandi said...

Sounds like a typical busy day for you!

LoieJ said...

That's a lot, and blogging and being a mother as well!