
Yesterday was my first day of working with the group. We had arranged to start at 8am. When I turned up there where only a small number of people waiting. The rest came in dribs and drabs an it wasn’t until 8.45am that we decided we should make a start and anyone else who comes can join in. Apparently this is called ‘Malawi time’ something I need to get used to!
As I began setting up a lesson it soon dawned on me that Tikondane have literally nothing as a group. No money in their pot to buy any materials or resources. All I had to work with was one pair of scissors a small dark, hot room and chairs! No desk working space. This was going to be a challenge!
I had asked the group previously if they could bring any materials they had to help get us started with our macrame workshop. We had a very small pile of scraps. Nothing much which would be workable! We even found it hard to source plastic bags! Luckily I had managed to get hold of some plastic bags myself.
With one pair of scissors between 20 I began cutting strips which we could use. When I had eventually got enough I began teaching them a basic pattern. With little space to work I decided we would have to sit on the floor and attach our macraming to the chair (since we had no desks).
The group picked up the technique fairly quickly. I went round and helped those who needed it. It was slightly difficult with a language barrier however by showing them and saying less they began to pick it up!
During my time working with them that day a man working in the hospital came into see us. He told the group that they had just been given enough money to buy a bottle of water between them all for the morning sessions and afternoon session which I would be working with them. They all clapped and cheered and there faces lit up! It really dawn on me then how little these people had. I was literally holding back my tears. After this my motivation to help this group had gone up even more! I have to help these people earn a living for themselves. If they cannot even buy clean water how will they buy materials to create products?!
After the session the group told me they had really enjoyed today and found it very useful. Ethel told me many of them come in unhappy but today they had all left with a smile on their face. I was so thrilled!
I would love to donate some money into the group to help set them up. I would really love your help in doing this. If you could help me raise this by the end of the week then I will be able to hand this money over to them before I have to leave. Anything would be so helpful. You cannot understand until you have seen it but take it from me they would be so greatful and together we can help so many families 🙂
http://www.gofundme.com/n8ee30