“Why should I have hope?”
This devastated mother cannot see any reason in her life to have hope. I sympathize with her horrific life! It is beyond belief how she has to live and try to protect her young child in the midst of this completely torn apart life.
But I have found a way to bring hope and a fresh beginning to the lives of mothers in Haiti. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW ……PLEASE READ THIS…..I remember living in Africa as a child and experiencing the lack of proper supplies due to being a growing child. My family and I shared the same life sacrifices of going without enough to eat and enough to wear for growing children. No money to purchase anything that we needed…. We learned to do without and ‘make do’ with what we had.
Necessities of life had a different meaning for me as a child.
My mother didn’t have enough for us….One birthday she made a sock doll for me called, ‘Sunbonnet Penny Sue’ out of one of my dads socks. She tried her best to make it special for me, but as a child I knew my dad would go without one of his very small supply of socks for me. Funny how I remember THAT doll more than any other birthday….. it was a dark sock with two button eyes, it was tucked inside it’s self to give it body. She sewed a little white mouth on it by hand … and the smile was a little crooked… like mine was when I got it on my birthday. It’s clothes were bits and scraps of cloth taken from the insides of seams of other garments. Nothing was wasted, because we had nothing…. My doll was living proof of that. I don’t remember ever playing with her, because I knew the sacrifice that had been made to make her for me. I didn’t want something to happen to her. Sun Bonnet Penny Sue was my only doll at 7 years old….. I HOPED SOMEDAY I WOULD HAVE A REAL DOLL….
I know how it feels to be without, and to suffer lack. Later on as a older child a length of cloth provided hours of fun for me to play with, and hours of hope for my mother to make clothing out of. Simple cloth…. Just simple cloth.
Come to Haiti and see what I have found…… HOPE! Moms Against Hunger helps the helpless in many ways to provide sustaining ways to overcome the terrible hardships that come to the poor around the world. Finding creative ways to assist mothers to provide for their own is one way MAH makes a difference for other mothers. I cannot provide for all the needs in the world, but when I find someone who is also working to help mothers overcome, I want to help them as much as I can.
Sewing Class
“Our first sewing class started on February 18, 2008 with fifteen women and seven graduated. Five of the women who graduated have started to earn money from their sewing skills. Even those who did not complete the class have gained skills that are allowing them to earn some money. Three of the graduates have earned enough money to purchase their own sewing machines. In fact, one woman has made enough money that she has been able to bring her children back from the village so that they can live with her and have her raise them. Within a six month time frame she has earned about 6 years worth of wages (half of it going back to her business). None of the women that started the program were able to provide for their families before the class. Most of them worked as merchants buying and selling products, but unfortunately, most of the merchants end up in debt to those who provide them goods as they are unable to sell enough goods at a high enough price. This class has been a miracle for these ladies as they can now provide for their families in a positive and healthy way.
We are allowing the women who graduate from the sewing class the option to work at our facility several days during the week when our facility is not being used by other programs. We provide the material, machine and a safe place and then each woman gets to keep 50% of the sales proceeds from each item they make. As women earn enough money they will buy their own machines and be able to work out of their homes.”
“I'm
Chrismene, I'm 25 yrs old and married. I was born in Gonaive. I am
currently living with my husband and 2yrs old daughter in
Port-au-prince. I'm grateful for this program and love working here.”
“I
am Marie I was born in the southern city of Jacmel. My birthday is
January 7th, 1955. My family and I moved to Port au Prince in 1971.
Both of my parents are deceased, and I have two brothers and two
sisters. I now live near Port au Prince in an area called Croix des
Missions. I have one daughter named Jemaella Carmelle, she is seventeen
years old. The two of us live alone. I have never been married. I love
the whole world and love spending time in prayer. I serve in a local
church teaching Sunday School. I am a very patient person. I love to
work and would like to keep working to improve life for my daughter.
Before joining Heartline, I worked as a vendor selling things on the
street. I did not know how to sew prior to coming here. I believe ‘La
Couture est un art’ (Sewing is an art). It is by the grace of God that
I am here now.”
“I
am Myrielle D.I was born in the Grand’Anse region of Haiti, in the
southwestern peninsula. My birthday is January 21st, 1973. We came to
Port when I was a child. I now live in my brother’s house in an area
called Nazon. I have four brothers and one sister, and one daughter
named Christie Goimin who is seven years old. I finished all of high
school and attended a professional school. I worked as a secretary for
two years but the business closed. I worked as an educator in a school
for four years before that – when the school management changed I lost
my job. I had no work for two years, and that is why I came to learn
something that can help me provide an education for my child.”
“My
name is Myrlene. I'm 27 and from Jacmel. I left Jacmel when I was 6yrs.
old and moved to Port-au prince. I went to primary school in
Port-au-prince and also finished high school there. I have a 1yr old
daughter and I've been married for 3yrs. I graduated from the sewing
school and now I'm working in the sewing program. This program means a
lot to me because it gives me an opportunity to make changes.”
“There are very few stores in Haiti, most people shop for what they need on the street ‘pepe clothing’ – or used goods.
Since the earthquake the fabric supply has been very limited, both on
the street and from visitors. Food and medications are priority and
rightfully so.
I am always looking for ways to make the sewing
program better. Having to depend on a "middle man" for fabric could be
a weak link as far as I am concerned.
Question: Could the ladies be successful without my help on the fabric end of the deal. What would they do in a pinch?
Assignment: She would shop on the street for "pepe" used clothing . I
would give each woman five dollars, she would get as much as she could.
After I approved the fabric, she would have to make a bag from "pepe"
that same day.
Risk: I had no idea what to expect. I could be blowing fifty bucks....it was time for some new thinking!
I am pleased to report the ladies out did themselves and created great
bags! Greater than what I had hoped for. I wanted them to see that they
could be successful even if they didn't have fabric coming in from the
States. “ They have learned they do have what it takes to think
outside of the box and be creative."
Moms Against Hunger can make a difference here….. can you send finances to help me ship aid to mothers in Haiti. No mother should be without hope….Together we can help her climb out of despair and begin to DO something about her situation. It takes so little to help train a woman to sew… she can start providing for her own needs. I bought one of the purses these ladies make and it's my favorite travel bag.... for so many reasons.
Please help me ship hope to Haiti…….
Your gift today CAN AND WILL change a mother’s life. Go to www.momsagainsthunger.org
Moms Against Hunger…. Your best choice to help mothers with children around the world.
Sunbonnet Penny Sue….. my doll of hope, has become a mantra of care for thousands and thousands of children who live in rags and squalor. Please help me help these mothers….
Sewing machines….. fabric…. Thread….. so little to do so much!!!
Help!!
