Hats Are Happening at Mountain High

This week started the campaign for sustainability of the occupational therapy program at Mountain View Hospital-Can income or funds be generated to keep the AIDS patient’s handcrafts going after we finish our service? To date around 300 patients have participated in the Jabule (Happiness) Sizabuntu Helping Project by learning dressmaking skills, beading a necklace, making a pair of sandals from black rubber soles, attending a cooking lesson or just playing bingo for the fun of it.

So how does a US Peace Corps volunteer make a US supported program for AIDS patients continue after the US money is gone and the Americans hurry home to resume their lives in Palos Verdes. The answer is HATS! Or at least this is the plan. For one year the beautiful fleece hats and scarves hand sewn by the patients have been the envy of the staff and visitors. Originally I envisioned selling the exotic Zulu beaded jewelry to provide funds for more beads and fabric but have since learned the age old problem with a product-Where is the market? However, all Zulus love warm fleece hats and scarves when Winter comes and they will pay for style and color. So with the help of the two sewing machines provided by US grant money a sewing marathon has begun to produce 1500 fleece hats with jaunty trims and 1000 matching scarves. The hats and scarves will be sold at pension distribution points and in local towns for R10 ($1.50) which will provide a profit of R6 to keep the program going.

A test market sample of 100 hats and scarves was underway this week. The Jabule Volunteer is anxiously awaiting the results of the sales campaign. What will be the big seller- The cute blue teddy bears or the Burberry knockoff plaid. What about the girly green and purple abstract stripes or the he-man blue, rust and diamonds? Are the hats beguiling enough to make the grandmothers (gogos) part with their scarce funds for a winsome chapeau for their favorite toddler? Will the cash generated be enough to employ the local manager of the program and provide craft materials for the patients? Is the price too low or too high? This experience is a lesson is starting up a small business and has all of the pitfalls of new businesses. However it also has the joy and creativity of making something from nothing, filling a need in the community and teaching a skill to people who want to learn.

Spring came to Mountain High this month! The hills are green as green can be. The Acacias are budding, the green grass is wet and heavy with dew and flowers are pushing their way up through the green carpet. Spring and summer bring the mist to the mountain but also the long-awaited moisture to the empty water spigots and gardens that were recently planted. A hike through the valley today was a very different experience than the last hike in July (Winter). Today the cows were munching the new grass and the matrons were gathered at the water faucets with their buckets. At last the water flows freely from the spigots - they are in a very good mood as it is a beautiful spring day in KwaZuluNatal. Likewise South Africa is also celebrating their green and gold win over Great Britain in yesterday’s rugby match!