Trump-stings are some of the worst in the world. There is much malice that is aggravating them at the moment.
I cannot help but feel terribly grateful for goodness and for the seeds of
goodness that we can plant despite the ugly faces shown by politics. Specifically I am referring to gratifying new developments at the Simalungun Weaving Centre.
Not long ago the plan was conceived to offer seed money to
young people in and around Lasma's village if they want to learn to weave.
There are young women who have finished high school and have no future. There
is no money to attend university, no jobs, and with the drought not even the
possibility of working on the land. This is a recipe for human disaster: loss of
hope, depression and desperation. These young women need a lifeline, an
opportunity to build a future, a chance to make something of themselves.
Lasma and I calculated how much money an aspiring weaver would need
to purchase yarn and a loom and also to pay for a teacher willing to help her
learn to weave. I polled everybody that I know who has expressed a benevolent
interest in the Simalungun Weaving Centre and asked if any of them might be
interested in purchasing the "first textile" (hiou parlobei) of aspiring young weavers for a price that would pay
these initial start-up costs. Many responded immediately and I gave Lasma the
green light.
Elderly teacher excited to be part of the Simalungun Weaving Centre |
The elderly weaving teacher and Nita Damanik, her first pupil. |
I was finally able to transfer the donations for building
Lasma's house which will serve as the Centre until we are able to erect the
central building. Lasma will receive the money this week and wants to start
building immediately.
Interestingly, what inspires the young women is being able
to earn a living. They hope to be able to earn more by weaving than by working
in the fields. They are gratified if they can achieve this while promoting
their own culture.
I have started to think about building an education fund. It
would be wonderful for the young women if, by becoming a member of the
Simalungun Weaving Centre and learning to weave, they could also gain access to
an education. That would truly stand them in good stead for the future.
Why is this Trump-sting medicine? Without going deeply into the nature of Trump-sting maladies, suffice it to say that they all have to do with
the misery caused by thoughtless and uncaring greed and malice. Hope and
opportunities in zones that have been made arid culturally, socially and
economically are antidotes to poverty and bad seeds. It will keep people on
their land and help them believe in and perpetuate the values taught by their
culture. These are the people who will be able to nurture their children and
create a warm and loving environment. This is the goal of the Pulang Kampung projects that are all aimed at replenishing the villages that have been milked and bilked to their deathbed.
The biggest thanks to those who have contributed to Lasma's
house and the first textile weaving program. You have provided the medicine that is
so desperately needed.
(All photos in this blog by Lasma Sitanggang.)
(All photos in this blog by Lasma Sitanggang.)