The morning was filled with such emotion when seven women from the Mellon Housing class received their completion certificates after three month of hard work. Weeping Nowethu Megali hugged Paul Blake, social director for the Irish philanthropic developer who builds hundreds of low cost income houses for people such as these ladies. "This sewing was my dream, but I had nothing, " she said. I had no money. Now this is my own skill and I am sewing. Thank you, thank you she sobbed." I was so happy that Evangeline Ministries could join with Living Way and the Mellon community to make Nowethu's dream come true. I had the privilege of addressing them and I congratulated them on a job well done. I encouraged them to work, not only for themselves and their families but also to help others in their community.
It was a win win for everyone. The women learned their new skills and Evangeline's teachers got the chance to expand their influence in the community as well as earn extra income. When the Mellon group began looking for a sewing program, Evangeline Ministries fitted nicely into their plans. We were in place with the teachers and equipment on the nearby Living Way campus to work with them. "For Mellon Housing this is an exciting day, " Blake said. "You all look beautiful and you have empowered yourself, you have taken a step forward.' One thing more is needed however. These women patterned their class after the Evangeline class with one big exception, they did not receive a sewing machine as will the December 4 Evangeline graduates. We could give each one a new sewing machine for $150 each. I pray you might find it in your heart to help us do that.
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