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.