Two weeks ago I went to visit the Center for Women's Promotion Shashemane and interview them about their work, their aspirations and their concerns. In the following pages you can participate in their daily lives.
There are currently 28 women (two of them are new) who work at the Promotion Center. All women wishing to enter the micro-credit program do an interview with Sister Jacquie which will decide what will be to their work in order to better integrate into the project, according to their abilities and skills: all women from different ethnic groups or different districts, such as 01, 02, 04, 05, 08, 010 and Mejaha. Every day women walk with bare feet and the way to the center, which means that some take at least two hours per day to cover the stretch to get to work and also time to return home. However all of them are happy to have the opportunity to work than their friends who are still in condition "slavery" of poverty and the art of getting by.
The working day starts at 8:30 in the morning up to 17:00 in the afternoon in these hours alternating two groups, a section in the morning and one in the afternoon. The two coordinators remain in the center all day. Sometimes other women taken by the enthusiasm, remain in their company to complete the various tasks assigned. Like everything here, including the working hours depends on the availability of electricity and light.
For each woman is assigned a different task: some of them sew and embroider garments such as pillows, traditional clothes, tablecloths, napkins and anything else they are asked to the Wedding, others sew aprons and uniforms for children in our schools. At the center there are sewing machines, but they stole the pedals and now I am working only 3, there is also a modern chassis, not so modern know how to use it (Temesgen Father promised to send a technician to illustrate how to use them). Shetiye but is doing a course to learn how to use the new sewing machine and soon we hope will form the other women.
Moreover, women are engaged in manufacturing and Berbere Shiroo, owing to the famine that pervades in this period. It 'a slow, but that requires care is the only way to bring food to their homes or to sell at the market. The work goes like this: First they cut the fresh chilli and leave to dry in the sun, then mix it with other 13 spices, pour into a container of wood, then grind it all in order to obtain a powder that will form the basis for the preparation of their traditional food. This is indeed a very tough job.
The additional commitment that is to take care of the rental of wedding gowns. If you visit the Centre Promoting Women you can even browse an album where there are photos of the clothes worn by women themselves of the Centre or by brides who have worn on their wedding day: as you know, the clothes are donated by brides Italian or by some studios. This activity goes on quite well and the bride and groom pass each other the news about the Center. In fact many come just to look around and daydream the day they will wear their dress.
Through the microcredit project women receive substantial assistance, but it can also happen sometimes, that their "salary" late: everything depends on the selling of favors in Italy and donations to the Center. Sister Jacquie always has a fund to support emergencies. Meanwhile, the women know how to handle this problem by selling with regret something you have struggled to achieve. During our interview we asked some young women who want to study, others would like to acquire more skills in the textile field and be able to give more. In a short time the center will move into a cottage near the Catholic Mission of Shashemane and being bigger will be able to enjoy two rooms for the sale of objects produced by them also. But it remains to be seen.
Women during our chat was requested that their life would be without this very important opportunity and do not hide their fears, given the great difficulty, if at any moment another everything would vanish. Instead, I believe that things will get better, I tried to send a little 'safety and confidence in their future work, helping a little 'to design the new Centre rechargeable enthusiasm. I asked them to have patience and that even if sometimes they are tired I'm sure that will soon rise again from their condition and that all this time to serve their formation and their growth. The role of women is not easy, rather it is a drag in many matters. This leads to discouragement, letting go and help should be given more especially in these moments of discouragement and even then it takes courage. But smiles taking off from the embarrassment I felt his eyes.
My words, incurred by the purchase of the reserve tanks for clean water and the donation of the Friends of Aurora Assicurazioni, have thrilled their hearts even more and immediately asked to Sister Jacquie to initiate the opening of the new Centre, together then it was decided to buy a mill to produce the Berbere, would save a lot of time and also could "rent" to other people. Thank you, thank you, thank you ... can not imagine what it means for these women have the opportunity to have a future: give us a hand yet, I trust, and the same confidence that I sent to women.
My overall impression is that all women are highly motivated and willing to work also facing enormous sacrifices. They have great ideas and show extraordinary commitment. Only the organization could be improved and made more efficient. The common idea is that you can start a sponsorship of these women with their children to assist in the management of the family, in their professional growth and to ensure, over time, they need medical examinations: follow especially during childbirth and personal hygiene education.
