Working Women

These women of Pinalito have been faithful workers since my first meeting back in August. So far, we have three that clean the mission house and apartments weekly, (Jesus, Elena and Marta--note the purple, blue and red dresses on the far right) two that help handwash laundry (Juana and Ofelia-- pink and coral dresses on either side of me) and three that paint and do odd jobs (Prudencia in light blue, Rugina in yellow, and Tina in turquoise on the right). I hope to add more women to the group as soon as I have more work opportunities in January (read COFFEE PRODUCTION!).

Also in January, the group will attend weekly reading and writing classes, and one Healthy Living Seminar a month. Each woman in the group must attend at least classes and/or seminars a month...they are all excited about the classes, and look forward to preparing the coffee and toast with me on my propane stove!)

This picture was taken outside the college, where we will start our classes in several weeks. The women have been working to bleach out the mold on these walls, and now we are getting ready to paint murals! (I'll admit, the women could use a little practice with their brush technique! The murals may be a job to attack on my own... or are there any artists interested in making a Pinalito trip?!)
One funny complication of my woman's group has been the CHILDREN! Any mother could have clued me into this obstacle-- ahem, Elizabeth Mays-- but I just hadn't thought about daycare before I invited the women to start working all morning! Let's just say it is difficult to mop the floor when the children keep running into the kitchen with muddy feet. So... the solution? Grandmother comes to help out! I have started opening our library (which is growing, woohooo, thanks to thoughtful South Carolinians!) and the children spend hours reading, coloring and putting puzzles together while their mother's paint and sweep nearby!

Thank you for helping me support these women, and buy the paint and brushes... We are enjoying our chores! I'll be sure to keep these updates coming!