sewn.

I'm impressed. I was sick for a good portion of last week so everything fell behind schedule, including the sewing class that we had scheduled for Rabekha and Alice Mary. They didn't let that stop them though. They found friends that would teach them how to sew and stitched little skirts to learn how a skirt is made (shown in the picture on the left). They both wanted to be ready to work. Now, a few days later, the first real skirts have been sewn. These two are so excited about what they are doing and the opportunity that this is in their lives.

Just what does Nivi Empowerment mean to them? It means that they are able to better their lives. Nivi Empowerment pays a fair wage, but on top of that, provides these women with "micro-earning," - a concept that borrows heavily on micro-lending. For every piece of clothing sold, Nivi Empowerment places money in a bank account for the woman the sewed the skirt. This money is tagged for projects that the woman needs, such as fixing a roof, going to school, or getting clean water. The initial micro-earning product for all of the workers is a sewing machine of her choice.

This micro-earning model is not a hand-out, but an opportunity to progress with hard work. Rabekha has said that she feels the light of hope in her life now. Nivi Empowerment is giving an opportunity, but these amazing women are the ones that use their initiative to work hard and lift themselves up.