Women from the Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community are drawing on their own skills and interests — sewing and making jewelry — to help women in their sister parish of Migori, Kenya. With “Beads for Women,” they’ve created a multitude of bead bracelets for sale, with the proceeds funding two sewing machines and microloans.
Kathy Knoblach, director of faith formation and outreach for Parishes on the Prairie ACC, described how the project is engaging parishioners on both sides and how it came about. Originally the sister partnership was between St. Joseph in Migori and St. Paul and Our Lady of the Angels, both in Sauk Centre. Now, she said, it encompasses the parishes of Belgrade, Brooten, Elrosa, Sauk Centre and West Union.
Previously about 20 local women had sewn feminine products for Kenyan girls for the Days for Girls project, Knoblach said. But since then, Kenya has established a requirement that such items must be purchased in their own country, so as not to flood their economy with American products. Kenya also has stringent regulations disallowing plastic.
“The upcoming delegation will travel to Kenya from Jan. 22 through Feb. 13. We visit them every three years — and a year and a half year after our visit, they come here. Each person in the current delegation has been to Migori at least once. The women there have shown us what they do, so we wanted to reciprocate by sharing hobbies we like,” Knoblach said.
The women at Parishes on the Prairie ACC considered ideas on how to raise funds for their sister parish and what those funds might be used for.
“We brainstormed ways Kenyan women could earn money to support their families, perhaps making something to sell. A couple of women suggested teaching them to sew a simple bag, like a bookbag — using a sewing machine. Hopefully that creates something useful and even provides a way to generate income,” she said.
Treadle-style sewing machines don’t rely on electricity and can be purchased in Kenya — strengthening the country’s economy. With 450 women in 23 community groups in Migori, the delegation could teach one woman from each group over the two days they’re there. Afterwards, the Kenyans can teach others in their group.
“Hauling machines with us didn’t make sense, so we’ll send the money earlier so they can select two machines. To bring machines to their communities will require a group of them, with a master tailor to advise them, to journey eight hours to Nairobi on public transportation and another eight hours back. They can also purchase needles and supplies. Then they’ll need to decide where to store the machines, how long a woman can check one out and other details,” Knoblach said.
One delegate is putting together sewing kits to go with each machine, including a pin cushion, pins, thread, scissors and a tape measure.
“Our delegation hopes to raise $2,000, supplemented by a donation of $500,” Knoblach said. “After the machines are purchased, there will be money left for microloans, which women could use to start their own small businesses, such as purchasing fabric or buying chickens to be able to sell eggs.”
Women here also considered how a crafting day would work with the women of Migori.
“Cindy Karash makes jewelry, and suggested we could make bracelets together. But we quickly realized that if they craft and sell their items, they could realistically charge only a dollar or two. It was more advantageous for us to craft and sell bracelets here — at a higher price. We’d earn more money and could put all of it toward the sewing machines,” she said.
Beads for the bracelets came from jewelry donated by women in the Parishes on the Prairie ACC as well as from necklaces that had been purchased at thrift shops. About a dozen women helped create 100 bracelets, which are available for a $15 donation and will be stored in Knoblach’s office until all are sold.
“When our delegation returns home in February, people here are eager to hear how learning to sew on treadle machines will affect the lives of Kenyan women,” Knoblach continued. “The women of Migori are excited about this — and so are we!”