Renewing Minds and Changing Lives Around the World.
“Before you come to Project Samuel, you know nothing…..but now…hey hey!!!!!
We can know many things!!!”
I overheard one of our House Mothers telling the new Auntie about all the things you can learn while working here at Project Samuel. I had just opened the suitcase full of knitting looms and yarn that were donated to our Women’s Bible Study group. They were so excited they could hardly contain themselves! I learned how to crochet and knit in middle school; it was just something I did for fun. I had no idea it could be such a skill to improve someone’s life!
As they opened their new knitting looms and chose their yarn, smiling ear to ear, I realized how much we often take for granted. To us, needlework such as knitting and crocheting is often just a hobby, but to these women, it would be an income. When they opened this suitcase, they didn’t just see a bunch of beautiful yarn, they didn’t just daydream of all the nice things they will be able to make for themselves like handbags, hats, and scarves. They saw plates full of food for their families, and washing paste for their clothes, they saw hats and sweaters for the cold season, and blankets for new babies! This simple “hobby” could literally make a huge impact by bringing in even a small income to help supplement their families.
When I first introduced the idea of getting some knitting looms these compassionate ladies about broke my heart! They said, “Yes, this can be a great idea, we can be making things and selling them! Then, with the money, we can use it to buy things for those people we visit on outreach!”. I was blown away! These women, many of whom have several children and are struggling to support them, were instantly thinking of others. Instead of wanting to be able to sell things only for themselves, they wanted to sell things and spend the money on the poor and elderly of our community!
This is why I love Project Samuel…the opportunities are endless! What began as an orphanage to house, feed, and teach children has now become so much more! The daily construction and maintenance provides jobs to men from the nearby villages. The poultry house provides an endless supply of fresh eggs for our community. We have positions for women to come and be mothers to our children which provides for their families. Now, our Women’s Bible Study group is learning a practical skill that will benefit their households while we fellowship together and study God’s Word. The sky is the limit!