The communities we support in Vanuatu have been devastated by the many severe weather events that have hit Vanuatu over the last few years. This project is designed to strengthen these communities through providing sewing machines, fabric and materials to groups of women in five areas across Vanuatu. These women are earning a living sewing clothes for their families, and making items for the people on the many cruise ships that visit the area.
The communities we support in Vanuatu have been devastated by the many severe weather events that have hit Vanuatu over the last few years. This project is designed to strengthen these communities through providing sewing machines, fabric and materials to groups of women in five areas across Vanuatu. These women are earning a living sewing clothes for their families, and making items for the people on the many cruise ships that visit the area.
There are five “sewing sheds” set up within Community Centers across Vanuatu,each with 10 sewing machines. (We have covered the cost of set up, 10 Sewing Machines, and a trip to Vanuatu to provide training with the Threads Across the Pacific District Grant).
The community centers manage the opening of the sewing sheds twice weekly. These sessions are well frequented with at least 12-14 women attending, sharing their knowledge and experience and creating together. Given the pandemic over the last two years, we have not been able to visit Vanuatu to provide training and no cruise ships have visited during this time. However, we have sent regular parcels of fabric and haberdashery. This has meant the women have continued to sew for their communities including school uniforms. School uniforms make education more accessible to the children.
This month we packed 8 large fishing boxes and wrapped 8 rolls of (50mtrs) of fabric and haberdashery on Saturday, and packed into the container on Monday. It will travel up to Vanuatu in the container used by the Kiwifruit workers who are here in NZ picking kiwifruit. It will leave NZ on Thursday (9 June) and will take approx 30 days to arrive. Perfect timing for these communities with cruise ships returning. The cost of the freight will be covered by the remainder of the Threads Across the Pacific District Grant.
Many thanks to all the people in our club who have supported the International Committee Threads across the Pacific Project this year.
Special thanks to:
- Erica and her suppliers who donated boxes of ribbon, fabric suitable for bags and clothing. Erica also made a sample bag (see pic below)
- ReMaker, Wayne and Christine for fabric, school uniforms and for packing the fabric with Martin and I on Saturday.
- Martin for transporting the fabric to the containers
- Jane, Viv and Lania for donations of fabric
- Rotary District for Threads Across the Pacific Grant
The International Committee plans to send both fabric to these groups and Library books up to their schools on an ongoing basis.
Lynda Burch
International Committee Director
