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Progress in Okurase
September 2, 2009
August 31,2009
Today
is a great day for the people of Okurase and for Project OKURASE. I
just hung up from a phone call to Nana and Betty. They were at the port
in Tema. After one long month of daily intensive effort and
negotiation, we are finally being allowed to take home our 513 bicycles
and 57 sewing machines. The containers were about to be opened as we
spoke. I only hope that all the merchandise is still intact. Medaase
and great congratulations to Nana and her team. They win the award for
persistence and strength.
I
immediately called David of Pedals for Progress who sent the shipment.
These bicycles are like his children and he doesn't rest til he knows
they are home. David talked to me about how the bicycles alone will
change the village economically and I will see evidence of this the
next time I am in the village. I can't wait. David, you can now breathe.
AND THE SEWING that Pedals for Progress made happen.....
Betty
and Nana have the sewing centre running full steam. So far they have
recruited 6 seasoned sewers and 4 trainees. The sewers have launched
full on into making our recycled market bags. Soon they will also be
sewing school uniforms. It is so great to see empowerment of women
happen before our eyes.
Betty will be bringing back Ghanaian fabric for clothing designer Jodi Lee (www.sandboxrebel.com)
to use in her design of children's clothing. She will launch this line
in November. Inner city Los Angeles women in recovery who are interns
for Jodi Lee will be sewing the children's clothing that will be
marketed in the U. S. and other countries. Part of the profits will go
to Project OKURASE to build the Centre. Also, for every outfit sold
money will be available to the women of Rhion's Sewing Centre in
Okurase to sew a school uniform that will be given to an orphaned child
to enable her to go to school. Eventually women in Okurase will join
their Los Angeles sisters in sewing the children's clothing.
In
closing... Medaase to Pedals for Progress, medaase to Betty, medaase to
Capelo and our whole crew in Ghana. Akwaaba to Jodi Lee and Linda
McManus. To Nana Ama Yeboah... what do you say about such a woman...
the mother of Project OKURASE...the mother of innovation in Ghana.. you
amaze me every day and I am so thrilled to have the ongoing opportunity
to learn from you. Medaase and me ho wo ekyere.
Cindy
