#lifestitches

[gochelseaelaine]

Today, LifeStitches Maracha graduated their first class of senior mothers. These 8 women have learned the ins and outs of tailoring and are ready to move out of the workshop to start their own businesses. Since joining the program, the women have been saving part of the money they earn for their own sewing machines. Each graduate has successfully saved the full amount for her machine and is going home with the equipment, skills, and certificate to continue her work and provide for her family. The event was made even more special for the group when the HIV Focal Person for the district and our district Woman Member of Parliament joined the ceremony, congratulated the mothers' success, and pledged their support to help the program grow and continue on. Soon, the program will be welcoming 10 new mothers to the program so that the cycle can begin again. #LifeStitches #maracha #HIV #tailor #womenempowerment #business #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda

[gochelseaelaine]

It's more than a hashtag. More than a free cup of coffee, a clothing sale to celebrate your "woman-ness," or a holiday off in Uganda. It's above commercialization to get more people in your door and more powerful than a single, designated day. International Women's Day is about celebrating the social, political, economic achievements of women around the world. About recognizing the small steps taken every day to close the gap as we all push forward. About ensuring that our next generations of girls are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and live a better life. Happy (belated) Women's Day to all of my female friends across the globe and to the men who support them. Keep educating, building, and leading. Every day. #womensday #internationalwomensday #lead #SRH #LifeStitches #AOSP #Uganda

[gochelseaelaine]

As I wind down my service, these next three weeks will be full of lasts. Last workshop, last health lesson, last visit to the nursing school, last day in the lab, last trip to the night market, one last hug from every person I can squeeze in my community, and finally, the last taxi ride out of the village. Today was my last workshop with the LifeStitches team. After the four we've done on lesson planning, visual aids, facilitation skills, and now re-usable menstrual pads, they have all of the tools they need to complete their 12 lesson curriculum they've been developing and rolling out on life skills and reproductive health for girls orphaned by HIV. It was one to remember - many mothers jumped in unexpectedly to learn how to make the pads themselves, and one of our mommas made sure the pad fit properly, proudly parading around the workshop in the demonstration panties. I am forever grateful for this incredible group of women and the leadership team. Their energy, enthusiasm for learning, and warmth have been one of the highlights of my service. #LifeStitches #RUMPS #Letgirlslearn #workshop #ovc #hiv #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda

[gochelseaelaine]

"How many of you have a mosquito net at home?" Every hand of the 20 women in the group shot into the air. They knew the answer to each question I threw at them - Where does malaria come from? What are the symptoms? Why is it particularly bad for people living with HIV to get malaria? We did a cost analysis of the financial burden of malaria, comparing prevention to treatment, and recognized how much money is saved simply if we avoid getting sick. Many times throughout the session I found myself wondering if this was just a nice review and perhaps they weren't learning anything new. We were headed into the final part of the session - bed net care and repair, when I made a slight change to my question. "How many of you slept under your mosquito net last night?" Only one hand went into the air. No matter where we are in the world, even when we have the knowledge, we know the benefits and the money we can save on prevention, and we have access to the tools we need to make it happen, positive health behaviors are hard, and we find other barriers and beliefs that stand in our way. Turns out, this session was just as important as the others we've done together. #LifeStitches #malaria #stompoutmalaria #netcare #HIV #health #behaviorchange #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda

[gochelseaelaine]

Since the beginning of this year, I've been working with the LifeStitches mommas on reproductive health. As both a community project and income generating activity, the women will move out to their communities to teach other women and girls about menstruation, puberty, and how to make and care for re-usable menstrual pads. As part of the education series, we spent this afternoon being sure all of the women in the workshop had an opportunity to make their own pads so they could confidently teach others. Although they had sewing machines right behind them, everyone learned how to make the pads by hand-stitching, just like they will have to do in the village. Of course, we had to take a group photo after everyone's hard work was finished. But apparently me counting to three and yelling "PERIODS!!" wasn't what everyone was expecting. Although the smiles and facial expressions I got from it were priceless. #RUMPs #letgirlslearn #menstruation #reprohealth #LifeStitches #health #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda

[gochelseaelaine]

One of the best pieces of advice I received as I prepared for my service in Uganda was to "have zero expectations." It's advice I echo often. But no one can help but try to picture what the day to day may look like. And it's nothing like what you think. Ever. And so many days are far from the glamour and adventure everyone on the other side of the world is picturing for you. But there are those days every now and then, when I lock my doors, crawl under my mosquito net, reflect on the day, and think, "Now that. THAT, was what I hoped Peace Corps would be like." Yesterday was one of those days as I led a workshop with staff and volunteers of LifeStitches. In preparation for a reproductive health and life skills program they're going to roll out next year at a few partner schools, we focused on effective lesson planning. With all of the resources and information they have collected, staff now feel more confident in their skills to build the curriculum for the whole program. Shortly after this, I also sat down with their mini marketing team to discuss tips and tricks of using social media to promote their organization. Using new knowledge, my previous business experience, learning the meaning of "plunker," and being a little ridiculous. A solid day indeed. #LifeStitches #workshop #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda

[gochelseaelaine]

A rare occasion when there's actually someone with a camera to catch me in the act..of facilitating. #LifeStitches #goals #uganda #peacecorps #peacecorpsuganda