Ibyishimbo

I have officially completed my first week of teaching Ibyishimbo (Joy) sewing cooperative.  The cooperative came out of Vine Yard Rwanda (www.vineyardrwanda.org) church six months ago.  Until now the eleven women and one man have been taught by a Rwandan seamstress how to make a variety of bags.  I was brought in to help widen their skill set to include clothing.  For our first week they learnt French and welt seams, blind hemming - on plain weave cotton – western pockets and ¼ pockets.  I was very pleased with how they did especially considering many of them had never touched a sewing machine until six months ago and we are using treadle machines which are a lot more challenging to control.  As the members of the cooperative do not speak English Florence, who is involved with Vine Yard Church, is translating.  We are currently working out of the church with the goal of the cooperative finding their own space in a few months.  Pictures soon to come...