Wool Project Update - we won!

We returned last night from Kenya. The progress we made exceeded our expectations. You can read about our adventures and the project at www.thewoolproject.x10hosting.com and click on "The Wool Blog".We'll try to update our fundraising activity there too.

On the way home on Virgin Atlantic Airways (Nairobi-London), the cabin crew had a contest on who could turn in the "tidiest" tray. Lilly and I worked together on it... and we won! The crew clapped and happily handed her a huge bottle of champagne since the tray came from her seat. She thought that was so funny. Don't worry, her celebration drink will be sparkling grape juice!

A fun ending to a really successful trip. We also overnighted in London on the way home and were able to walk through the theater district and see the outside of Buckingham Palace.

Meanwhile we are catching up on sleep, paperwork, and soon will be sorting all the photos and videos. Thanks for all your good wishes! If you know of a group that would like Lilly to speak about the project (weaving, social action, service groups etc.) please let me know as she and I will be updating her Power Point presentation with photos, details about the project and projected needs for the future. She also has some of the weavings from the first training week to share. Our hope is to complete raising funds for the training and some initial wool and other materials, and then to have the people involved, spin and weave and with the money earned from their products to be able to buy more spinning wheels from Schacht Spindle and more commercial looms from Kenya as well as to support themselves. The idea is for self-sufficiency as soon as possible. George, the trainer, hopes that soon he can assign some of our women and men to weave and spin for him on specific projects. He has more work than he can handle. But first we need to send four people to train with him and his staff in Nairobi for one month. This will cost about $2,500, including living expenses.

Best Wishes,
Susan