Over the last year & a half some of the women from Obaitori & some other beautifully creative inspired genuis' have been coming to my home for a creative group we call Stitches for Tibet. We meet once a month to share creative vision, techniques, laughter, stories, chai & chocolate.
One beautiful woman brings a sketchpad, draws, listens carefully & offers ayurvedic advice, one brings oil & gives massages. One woman, has expanded the horizons of the group & taken us into the world of handmade markets where we make a lot of money to give away, she is pure genuis & oh, so very humble (you know who you are, thank you). Some women bring chocolates & red wine but everyone who comes brings, Love. We laugh (a lot), cry, share happy & sad stories, listen & talk, my goodness do we talk!
(MacMasters Beach Christmas Market December, 2010)
Here are some of the things we have made -
Exquisite Geisha cards.
Journals, earings & tiny rings.
Some items are also donated. We are blessed to have a student Tibetan doctor in our midst, thank you Helen.
Hanging out - some of the posse.
When we gather, a gold coin donation enables the group to sponsor a Tibetan woman to complete a tailoring apprenticeship under the programme of Stitches of Tibet, an initiative of the Tibetan Women's Association.
An apprenticeship of 12-18 months of tailoring, tuition for learning English & math, weekly health education workshops & a small stipend for expenses is offered to ten Tibetan women per year, eight of the positions being reserved for new arrivals from Tibet.
Traditional & modern handmade items are sold at the Stitches of Tibet shop in Dharamsala, India. Proceeds from sales are put back in to the programme for operating expenses & continuation of the programme.
A big thank you to all involved - & especially to all of those beautiful strong, courageous Tibetan women. This group is for you - our brave sisters.
Free Tibet!
