With great sadness, I would like you to know that MoonCatcher friend and colleague, Sophie Chanache, died on June 26, 2018 from advanced cancer of the cervix. Sophie was one of the head tailors at our Mtunthama, Malawi sewing guild and beloved by everyone who knew her.

I met Sophie 3 years ago on my first trip to Malawi. Phoebe (our Ugandan partner) and I were teaching women to construct MoonCatcher kits and Sophie was one of two women who caught on quickly. She had an immediate understanding of how the treadle machine worked (having never used one before) and grew to understand the importance of making beautiful menstrual kits for school girls in Malawi.

I loved Sophie’s infectious smile. She was not only a skilled seamstress but a delight to be around. She had a lovely sense of humor as we struggled to understand each other’s language. Of course, she was way more proficient in English than I am with Chichewa (I can say two words) but she made me feel at home as I tried to get my thoughts across. She was helpful when teaching our MoonCatcher curriculum too.

Sophie will be certainly be missed by all of us here, and by so many who loved her in Malawi. May she rest in peace.