Day 11: Working with our Tailors and Another Visit to the Orphanage

I met Sophie, Elizabeth and Esme (our tailors) at 8:00 this morning in the Mtunthama MoonCatcher sewing studio. I was able to show them all the supplies that we brought for them and find out what they were missing. The biggest problem was that both Esme and Sophie’s phones had died, and this was preventing us from communicating. Olipa and I went into town and bought a phone, and some machine oil. On the way back we bought lunch for everyone at a little stand that used a piece of cloth to separate the kitchen from the dining area. It was a local street place that packed the food into take away containers that we later had to return. I liked that. Nothing got thrown away.

Elizabeth cuts fabric for MoonCatcher Kits.

Esme at her machine.

Sophie sewing drawstring bags.

After lunch Charlotte, Helen, Olipa and I met at the orphanage to teach an art class to the age seven and up kids. Charlotte had brought watercolors and tablets of paper. She showed the kids how to apply the paint and then let them paint as many pictures as they wanted. They loved it. At one point we had to mop the floor because it was so wet from dripped paint water. The children just kept painting. It was a great success.

The children were so proud of their artwork!

I went back to the sewing room and Charlotte went to take a baby for a walk. The orphanage strapped a baby on her and off she went eventually showing up at the sewing room when I was just leaving. She easily convinced me to go get a baby of my own to take for a walk. Little Elizabeth who is just a few weeks old got secured to my front and off we went. Both babies fell fast asleep as we walked over to Helen’s place to show off these sweeties. Felt like slacking off today but actually these babies need holding and attention, so it’s important to have people stop by and help. Charlotte remarked on how there are no strollers in Malawi. Long pieces of fabric hold babies and toddlers securely to their mothers and babies are carried everywhere

Charlotte carrying Baby Bernard.

Tomorrow we’ll go help build the girls bathroom that we helped our local Rotary Club to raise money for. I’m looking forward to doing some manual labor after all this meeting, talking and moving around in cars. Hot and steamy today. It will be nice to take a bath.