Monday: Stitch Together

We met our partners from Seed of Hope this morning at their community center and headed down the road to their most successful micro-enterprise that has been a result of the training programs provided.  We partner together to provide skills training for men and women, mostly women, to gain employment, hope, self-worth and a future that empowers them to strengthen their lives.  A group of graduates from the various training classes in sewing and tailoring have gathered together to create and association and business in tailoring.  It has been the programs greatest success story! Eight members are currently working full-time in this local small shop together.  The wonderful concept of the association is as follows: These 3 men and 5 women work together and share equally in the responsibility of the store, management and profits.  So regardless of who does what everyone shares equally and their first prioritizes are not themselves. They do not receive any money from their labors until rent has been paid, electricity has been paid, supplies have been purchased and money has been saved for the business.  Then, and only they they divide up the profits lefts exactly equally for their own uses.  And they are agreed that this is the way it shall be with no exceptions. And although 2 of the men organize the business and the orders, etc. mostly they still share an exact equal part and believe that they are sharing their desires, energy, drive and training of new members to help those as they have been helped.  It is a perfect example of real community and kinship and accountability at work – and it is normal. It is what is expected and they are completely happy. This group of 8 has been together working since 2008 and have had success in their tiny shop where each of them on average can take home 70,000 RWF (approx. $116).  They are very happy with their progress and success and continue to share their skills and knowledge with others as they hope to continue to grow and add other to their association, grow their business, improve the community and help to change others lives as theirs have been so blessed. We look forward to helping them continue to grow through micro-enterprise loans, encouragement, prayer and more.