An e-mail from Africa

Just recieved an e-mail today with news from Africa so I wanted to post it and let everyone know how well the program is doing. (I have posted a few photos from a craft fair where the Mzansi Quilt Centre had a booth a few months ago.)

"The quilting program is still on track and it seems as if we are selling more that ever before. Last month was a banner month with sales over 30,000 rand. We have some responses from the web site, and more of the local quilters are bringing their tops in for quilting. The Midlands Meander has attracted many tourists that come here to buy, and since the prices are so reasonable many buy quilts for presents. The local missionary outfits have found that the centre will make table clothes, so we are turning out literally dozens for the price of the fabric plus a small charge for binding. Added to this we have been selling wall hangers that we placed at several of the hotels for décor."

"We were visited by sheep ranchers from the Karoo that are interested in starting a quilting outreach program among the staff on their ranches. They wanted a long arm machine and Linda Taylor helped us become Gammill agents here in Africa. We ordered the machine and after much back and fourth paperwork and questions the new Vision was on the way. The machine and shipping charges came to about 140,000 rand, but customs and vat added another 23,000 rand. OUCH! We will have an interesting time transporting the crates to the Free State, and then Elisabeth has to set the machine up and train the crew."