After lunch we started working on new patterns and an order with Diego. We didn't finish until 7 at night. It was a long process and Juana kept bringing us coffee and treats.. We were able to develop some wonderful new products. All of you craft sellers will be excited to see lots of new bags, purses, and some clothes. They had some new designed weavings that we combined with some products. We also did some new leather and weaving products.

We had a small dinner after that and Juana and Diego joined us and told us about some of their work projects. One of the things that they had asked about before was some scholarships for some students in the area. I asked Juana if she would like to head up this project and she was very excited to do it. We thought we would start with 6 students. We haven't had any projects with Ruth y Nohemi (that is the name of the cooperative) for a long time so this will be good.

One of the families we would like to help is a lady by the name of Juana. She has 8 children and had been severely abused by her husband. She lived in a small village near Chichi. Juana brought her to Ruth y Nohemi and has given her a job cooking. Juana also works two other jobs. She works very hard because she wants her children to go to school. They are all going to school now and Ruth y Nohemi helps them with some costs, uniforms, books etc. The tuition costs are quite high and Juana could use the help because Edwardo and Jessica are in middle school and the costs are more. So.. the cost is about $20 per month per child.. Anyone want to sponsor them? I will enclose their photos. Juana is going to gather up more information on them as well as 4 other students.

Edwardo and Jessica

We stayed at the Ruth y Nohemi center and were exhausted so the bed looked pretty good.

go to June 29