More than 100 women, men and teens have gained valuable life skills through the sewing classes we teach to both the hearing and the deaf. Lack of education and job opportunity are major hindrances to a majority of the population. Individuals with skills such as sewing are able to earn money to help support themselves and their families.

The deaf and hearing sewing class consists of men and women whose common language is sign language. No one is excluded or isolated because of communication barriers. Together we are family. We don’t just sew, we do life together! (photo at the right)

Jairo is a twenty eight year old young man who lost his hearing at a very young age. He graduated from high school without having learned to read or write beyond a very basic level. Jairo is very artistic and teaches art to children with disabilities. One day I asked Jairo to design and create a banner for our ministry. He accompanied other members of the deaf community to the sewing class in Managua with the intent of meeting with me to talk about the banner. While there, he sat down at one of the machines and just started sewing like he’d been born to sew. That was two years ago and Jairo is a part of our sewing family. (photo at the left)

Our sewing class at La Boquita keeps growing. The first time Regina came, she was accompanied by her sister, who is not even part of our class. She was timid, fearful and would not speak a word. It wasn’t long before she transformed, gaining both skill and confidence. What happened next was amazing – she began teaching others who needed help! It’s so beautiful to see the fruit that’s growing inside and out! (photo at the right)

At Masatepe, we started a sewing class for deaf and mute teens and their mothers. BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE BEING CREATED not just with our sewing machines, but in the hearts and minds of each person in whom we are investing. Jahayra is fifteen and is mute. She and her mother walk a great distance to attend sign language classes every Friday. After a year of attending classes to learn basic sign language, Jahayra and her mother joined our sewing class to learn skills they could use for life. What a huge transformation has taken place in Jahayra! God saw her when she was isolated due to lack of language. He heard her cries. God answered her prayers! BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE HAPPENING! (photo at the left)

Vision:

Our desire is to continue providing sewing classes to women and men living in poverty in order that they could gain knowledge and skill to help them provide for their families. We desire to train these women and men to teach others like them who are in great need and desire to learn a life skill. Our deep hope is that each one would come to know their Creator intimately, walk in his light, and reflect his great love to those around them.

Need: One sewing machine provides the resource needed for a sewing student: Cost is $225. (6 needed)