Elisabeth had established a Rotary quilting program six years ago in the black Township of Sweetwaters, in KwaZulu-Natal, teaching Zulu men and women to quilt for the market. This very successful program was self-sustainable and had created wealth for many, selling hundreds of quilts locally and to several supportive Rotary clubs in other countries. The program was recently moved to the Mzansi Zulu Quilt Centre, where it continued to flourish.
Initially Suzanne Connolly asked Elisabeth for quilt batting, which was not available in Rwanda, but after looking into the plight of these orphans, Elisabeth offered not only to provide the batting, but to go to Rwanda and train them.
In September Elisabeth and her assistant, Lungile Hlophe, travelled to Rwanda, with suit cases of quilting tools, and established themselves at the orphanage; a large warehouse type structure without electricity. They found several dozen old treadle sewing machines in various stages of disrepair, no fabric, and no tools. There were about thirty young men and women waiting to be trained, although some of them did not even know how to sew. Only one of the new students had any English, but somehow basic communications was achieved.
After a very slow start, and many failures, all settled in for ten days of intense training in the art of quilting artistic wall hangers. Quilting standards had to be adjusted to the reality of hand and treadle sewing. The treadle machines used string and cardboard belts, instead of leather, and frequently broke. Although quilters rely on irons, no electricity meant no ironing of the fabric, and it had to be pressed between weights. In order to overcome the lanquage problem Elisabeth and Lungi had to demonstrate each step of the way on the treadle machines, but slowly the lessons were absorbed and the students ambitiously went to work.
The machines broke down, the seams were crooked, the points did not match, and every problem imaginable was met and overcome with persistency and luck.
During the last days of the training a missionary group stopped by to look at the orphanage, and wonders of wonders, bought a quilt for $100. This fired the students, who realised that their products could actually be sold, and the final days were frenetic with activities.
Elisabeth and Lungi finally had to leave, amidst hugs and tears.
Looking back they wondered who would help continue the project; who would buy the fabric, fix the machines, market the quilts, and most of all ensure that any proceeds would go to the students.
Who indeed?
