By Sharon Doherty | Project Leader
With high energy and enthusiasm Sister Deborah came to Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende, somewhat like an angel appearing out of the blue, offering to volunteer in the Sewing Workshop which forms part of the school's Vocational Training Program. Although Sister Deborah lives and works in Queretaro, travelling a one hour's distance by bus every Friday to and from San Miguel would never discourage this resourceful and determined woman. She had previously lead exactly this type of program with a group of indigenous women in Queretaro, teaching them to make a very saleable product and thus earn an income allowing their young children to attend public school; learning in school was a vast improvement from having them sell trinkets on the street! Sister Deborah knew this initiative would transfer well to the school's ambition of teaching marketable skills to the bright students of EEE who only happened to be Deaf. True to the addage "Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a person to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". These are the same principles followed at EEE and so a partnership and a bond with Sister Deborah was formed in no time.
Quickly the teachers, volunteers and students of the sewing workshop were engaged and eager to learn this new skill. Intricate and colorful borders for hand towels, note cards, bags, money pouches and many other beautiful creations were soon being lovingly created by the students for sale in the upcoming Spring Bazaar.
During this same time it came to light that, Mathilde, mother of one of the school's primary level students, Miguelito aged 7 years, had excellent skills in hand sewing and embroidery. Mathilde and her family were stuggling to make ends meet financially. Mathilde, resourceful and hard working was part of an embroidery cooperative in her small community which helped to generate a little income for her family. Sister Deborah thought it would be a great idea to train Mathilde as an instructor in the cross stitch program so that she could spend a few hours each day, while her son attended school, helping the students hoan their new skills. It was a win-win for all concerned!
Sales of cross stitich items at the Spring Bazaar in March were brisk and there was a great feeling of pride and accomplishment felt by all involved; those students who learned something new, the teachers and volunteers, including Sister Deborah who had the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise, and especially for Mathilde who became a proud and welcomed addition to the Sewing Workshop at EEE!
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