Weekend two: January 11 and 12
Due to the fact that I missed 2 days at volunteering because of the outreach program, I decided to attend volunteering on the weekend to make up for lost days. Saturday is a normal day for the power women group store and today was especially busy.
In the morning, the women were gossiping a lot, but obviously couldn't understand why. Everlyne told me that while kids are going back to school, everyone applies for scholarships, and despite these women's children's good grades, none of them received scholarships. They spoke about this issue for a while. Everlyne kept saying, "unfair, just unfair, so unfair." She slightly alluded to the stigma of HIS/AIDS still affecting these women.
The next dramatic part of the day dealt with the sewing machines in the store. Two had broken and were sent with power group women downtown in a cab. The driver parked illegally and was arrested. That was problem one. They eventually got him out by paying bail - money wasted. They finally got back and they were still a little broken, or kept breaking. The women spent the afternoon trying to fix it, each woman having her turn. Finally, they got them to work. With the money I raised in America we bought fabric last week and they were starting to make the bags out of that fabric! It was very cool to see my help working, and of course, the help of those that donated money.
A big swiss family walked into the store. Everlyne sat them all down and told them of the power women's group history and I finally got that on film for the video. They asked a few questions then shopped around and they bought a lot - probably about $100s worth!
The busy day continued, with extra money left over after buying the fabric Everlyne and I decided to buy paint for the wall that separated the day care and hair salon. The kids were coming on Monday! We also bought baby toilets for the kids. When we got back, I started painting the wall. The paint was bad quality and the brush didn't fit in the paint container. Everlyne has more faith it will look good after the second coat. I don't have enough faith. I guess we will see.
After a long day, I walked home with Everlyne, other volunteer friends and I watched movies and I headed to bed.
Sunday was a relaxing day. Did laundry, wrote in the blog, went to junction for internet and hung out with other volunteers. More movies then bed.
Due to the fact that I missed 2 days at volunteering because of the outreach program, I decided to attend volunteering on the weekend to make up for lost days. Saturday is a normal day for the power women group store and today was especially busy.
In the morning, the women were gossiping a lot, but obviously couldn't understand why. Everlyne told me that while kids are going back to school, everyone applies for scholarships, and despite these women's children's good grades, none of them received scholarships. They spoke about this issue for a while. Everlyne kept saying, "unfair, just unfair, so unfair." She slightly alluded to the stigma of HIS/AIDS still affecting these women.
The next dramatic part of the day dealt with the sewing machines in the store. Two had broken and were sent with power group women downtown in a cab. The driver parked illegally and was arrested. That was problem one. They eventually got him out by paying bail - money wasted. They finally got back and they were still a little broken, or kept breaking. The women spent the afternoon trying to fix it, each woman having her turn. Finally, they got them to work. With the money I raised in America we bought fabric last week and they were starting to make the bags out of that fabric! It was very cool to see my help working, and of course, the help of those that donated money.
A big swiss family walked into the store. Everlyne sat them all down and told them of the power women's group history and I finally got that on film for the video. They asked a few questions then shopped around and they bought a lot - probably about $100s worth!
The busy day continued, with extra money left over after buying the fabric Everlyne and I decided to buy paint for the wall that separated the day care and hair salon. The kids were coming on Monday! We also bought baby toilets for the kids. When we got back, I started painting the wall. The paint was bad quality and the brush didn't fit in the paint container. Everlyne has more faith it will look good after the second coat. I don't have enough faith. I guess we will see.
After a long day, I walked home with Everlyne, other volunteer friends and I watched movies and I headed to bed.
Sunday was a relaxing day. Did laundry, wrote in the blog, went to junction for internet and hung out with other volunteers. More movies then bed.
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