Dress Making!

9th April, 2008


Well not much to report really – we are winding down here in Mwanza. Jen and I seem to be spending more time with Famida (dress maker) than anything else. Jen’s Saturday dress is now almost finished – and gosh what a dress. This is the one that Famida has made from scratch – well from photo’s of other dresses Jen tried on in the UK. The fabric, and I can tell you that it is gold, was sent to India to be hand embroidered, and it has now been put together by Famida’s fundi, who is really very good. He is Indian, doesn’t speak Swahili and very little English. There is a lot of head wobbling when he and Famida talk (heavily discuss!!), but he has really done an amazing job on this dress.

The other dress, for Thursday (the one I brought out with me) is now being altered to fit – and mine – well mine caused a bit of a discussion yesterday when we went along. I hope that today it will be ‘try-on-able’ if not finished. We will see at five ish tonight. We leave on Friday, and it is now Wednesday!

Meanwhile, I am collecting another two outfits I have had made by a Tanzanian charity group called Binti Maringo (which stands for fair working conditions). This is the place which has just opened a restaurant near where my placement was. They also have a dress making service and a furniture making service and all profits go to support the unit they have for street kids. Anyway, these are two African type outfits – so exciting.

Think I will go up to Samaritans with Donald today to see the finished results – sounds that quite a lot has gone on there at last, and it will be good to see it. Believe that Joey will be taking the final filming today as well.

And so need to start thinking of packing up – ohhhhh - I could really stay longer, but know Donald is ready to move on, and we have safari and wedding and then holiday to go before returning home.

Lots of love
J