More of a Lifeline Than a Sideline

Dr. Yvonne Randriamananatena has splendidly coordinated a variety of WGLO women’s projects in Madagascar. She recently returned from Ankaramalaza, where a women’s sewing project is underway. Yvonne received reports from Madame Henriette, the sewing instructor, and letters of thanks from various students.

Marcelline

Yvonne reports: “Marcelline has two children, a boy and a girl. She works as a paramedic at the Ankaramalaza Clinic, and when there is no doctor in Ankaramalaza, she takes care of the patients. Since training, she has made dozens of dresses and other garments.”

“Dear friends:

Many thanks to you all for your help. You gave us the opportunity to have free sewing training in Ankaramalaza. - To you, Mrs. Dorothy, and to the WGLO - To you, those in charge, Mr Jaona (father of Kaleba) and his wife - To you the trainer, Mrs. Henriette,

We learned to make skirts, dresses, bodices, men’s shirts, pants, and a lot of other things (hats, bags ...). In this time of confinement, we spent a long time making mouth covers, which allowed us to earn some money for the meal each working day. We made 700 mouth muffs together.

I would still like to improve myself in certain areas of sewing: putting on a wedding dress for example. I humbly ask you if it is possible for you to still support this improvement for 2 or 3 months. We assure you that this development will bring much success to our profession of seamstress later. We have agreed that we will also teach others who want to receive sewing training.”

Baohamo

Yvonne writes, "Baohamo is disabled. She lives with her only daughter here in Ankaramalaza. She passed her training and asks with all the others 2 to 3 months of additional development.”

 "Thank you very much for taking over the sewing training, led by Ms. Henriette. I am a student of this workshop. I am happy with the outcome of the training because it has brought a big change in my life and that of my daughter. The existence of this workshop gave good fruits to my work.

I am physically disabled so there is not much I can do. My limited strengths do not allow me to find gainful work. Now my hope is alive in Jesus: sewing allows me and my daughter to live. Sewing isn’t hard work. Currently I can sew all kinds of clothing patterns and other things. It is already helping me meet everyday needs. We eat little, but it is already a start. A few months of refinement might help me more. If it's possible. Receive my thanks and appreciation .”

See here to purchase RippleSacks made by Marcelline, Boahamo, and other seamstresses in Ankaramalaza: