February 2012 - Sew cool!

Allow me to introduce my dear friend, Barbara Dean, and "guest contributor" to my blog.  After my first visit to Haiti in 2010, Barbara offered to make tote bags for the Haitian women.  Little did she know what she opened up her heart to....  She and her husband, David, joined us in 2011 on another trip to Haiti, where we handed out those tote bags. 

One thing led to another and suddenly Barbara and David were heading up a sewing project, with a two-fold aim: to teach the women how to sew, and then giving them their own hand-crank Singer sewing machines.  Sadly, David passed away before the 2012 trip and didn't get to see the results of his hard work.  (I know he was watching from Heaven, though!). 

Barbara, myself, and others recently returned from our 2012 trip.  I've asked her permission to share with you her trip summary. 

-Carol

Hi All,

Thank you so much for all you have done to help with the work in Haiti.  We had a wonderful trip in February.  I was very blessed to be able to see the fruits of the sewing machine project that Dave and I started on together in June.  He would be very happy with all the help and support I received to finish that work and to be able to make the trip after his sudden death in October.  He found his mission in helping the people of Haiti through education and you are helping to carry on his mission.  Thank you!  God has blessed me with each of you and I am thrilled that he has allowed me to be a part of His work in Haiti.

We took 21 hand-crank Singer sewing machines plus sewing supplies and had 2 classes (1 week in Cap-Haitien and 1 week in Port-au-Prince) where we taught 21 women how to use the machines.  The machines were 50 to 100 years old and are beautiful.  The ladies each took a machine home with them at the end of the week.  The women learned quickly and were very appreciative.  In Cap-Haitien we saw the women load their machines on motorcycle tap-taps (cabs) at the end of the week to take them home.  What a sight!

Unpacking the sewing machines;
one per tub.

Thanks to the sewing efforts of many (mostly in Colorado and Louisiana), we were able to take about 1200 dresses to give away, about 200 tote bags (some store-bought) and about 50 dolls.

We also had lots of ready-made boys and girls clothes, some adult clothes, underwear, 770 wooden cars for boys, and lots of toys, candy, hair clips, soccer balls, frisbees and other items to share. In Cap-Haitien we were able to donate beans and rice that were purchased from donations collected by the Colorado group. In Port-au-Prince we distributed about 700 food packets that included enough beans, rice, spaghetti, tomato sauce, oil, and bouillon cubes to feed a family of four for a week.  We left about 2 weeks worth of food at an orphanage that houses 60 kids. The funds for that were supplied by the group from Wyoming It was fun to see the girls in their new dresses (slipped over the clothes they were wearing) and we got lots of pictures. The women love the tote bags as always and the dolls were a huge hit. The food is desperately needed and very much appreciated.

We had a total of 27 people from 4 states (Colorado, Louisiana, Wyoming and Arkansas) there for various periods of time and we stayed very busy. In the mornings we had sewing classes, classes on electric wiring, a class for preachers, and a class for high school kids to learn word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and Facebook. We also had a diesel mechanic with us who did some much needed repairs on a couple of trucks used by the churches and orphanage.  In the afternoons we visited churches, schools and orphanages to distribute all our "stuff."

Preparing the machines
for use.

God willing, we will be going back again early next year with 20 more sewing machines, 3000 dresses, 3000 dolls (pattern info coming soon) and ?? tote bags.  The group that gave us the wooden cars (Toys for Gods Kids) is willing to give us lots more.  I hope you will continue to help with the sewing.  We can also use donations of sewing machines (Singer models 15, 66, 99 - I can determine the model from the serial number.)  The machines can be electric, treadle or hand-crank and do not have to be in working order.  They will be refurbished if possible or used for spare parts. 



Her smile says it all!

We can always use donations of cotton fabrics for dresses and decorator fabrics for tote bags.  We also need 1/4" elastic, 1/2" double fold bias tape, ribbons, rick-rack, lace, and other buttons and trims for dresses.  I have lots of fabric suitable for making boys shorts if anyone is interested in doing that.  I also have cotton knit fabric suitable for making T-shirts and would be happy to pass it on to anyone willing to take on that project.  We need sewing notions (new or gently used) to make up sewing kits to go with each machine.  This would include cutting scissors, snipping scissors, thread (lots), seam rippers, measuring tapes, thimbles, marking pens, cutting tools (rotary cutters,  mats and rulers), pins, needles, needle threaders, and reading glasses.  The Wyoming group sent readers and we found out how needed they are by women in the sewing classes that can't see well.  Glasses are a luxury that very few can afford.

Praying over their new machines.

We will also need funds for purchasing spare parts, making cases for the machines and for shipping.  Shipping all these items is expensive - it cost about $200 to get each machine from Colorado to Haiti.  Any way you can help is very much appreciated and lives are changed for the better.

With love in Christ, 

Barbara Dean