My family and I just returned from an amazing, life changing trip to Zambia, Africa!
It is a trip we will never forget.
Our daughter, Michelle, works for an orphan ministry called Every Orphans Hope.
We wanted to go and see her working first hand and help where we could.
There are 11 orphan homes consisting of one mama and eight children.
The mamas are hoping to learn to sew so that they can run a business and make some money.
My part was to teach the mamas how to sew.
Last year, we raised money to buy each mama a sewing machine:
We had heard that some of the machines were not working correctly.
After looking at several of the machines, we realized that report was accurate.
Each one had different problems.
So, because of this, some were being used as a table:
Kristin, a teammate of mine, learned how to use a treadle machine before we got to Africa.
I watched Kristin use the fly wheel and her feet simultaneously.
As she explained, it’s sort of like working the clutch on a car…there’s a point when you know when to start with the feet.
(I watched a You Tube video before I left and thought it looked easy, but it was something I never got the hang of.)
The machine Kristin learned on here in the states was a Singer sewing machine and she was taught to turn the fly wheel away from you as you start.
We finally figured out that, with these machines, you need to turn the fly wheel toward you as you start.
There were many dissimilarities like this that we needed to work through.
After about three days of trying to get them to work, we realized we needed to visit the sewing machine dealer where they were purchased last year.
The owner assured us that he would fix them all.
What a relief!
He also let us know that these machines can be altered from treadle to hand crank.
Hand crank machines means you crank an added piece on the fly wheel while you sew with your left hand.
The mama in the middle, uses her own hand crank machine:
She made this bag on my shoulder last year and my daughter bought it as a gift for me!
The owner at the sewing machine shop also explained that we could buy a kit that would convert the treadle machines to electric for about $15 US dollars!
This would be great for the mamas that live in the city, who have some electric power daily.
At the Every Orphan’s Hope office, we worked with a Zambian volunteer, Agatha, to show her how to make a simple tote bag.
Agatha is a tailor in Zambia, but I’m not sure if she had made a bag before.
Here is the finished product:
We saw Agatha at one of the homes the next day.
She was hemming a chitenge, which is a 2 yard piece of fabric that the women of Zambia drape around themselves as a skirt.
As you can see, she is using an electric machine.
It amazed me that these women can sew without a table and while sitting on the floor!
As soon as we left, we saw the mamas moving into this house ready to take a lesson on making tote bags.
What joy to see the ladies taking something they learned and teaching those around them.
It is our hope that they will be able to practice and soon start their own businesses.
The mama who made the tote bag for me is already selling her bags.
Update: February 2018:
The mama who sewed bags is currently fighting cancer. We’d love for you to pray for her.
And while they are not selling bags at this time, there are two projects that you can help with that would greatly benefit the orphans:
Chicks For Orphans and Bikes for Orphans.
Check them out!
What a great way to help an orphan without traveling to Africa!
The Sewing Garden 
I hope you are still available to answer my questions. I’m trying to buy sewing machines in order to help some of the widows in orphanages in Kenya and Uganda learn how to sew and become more self-sufficient, just as your daughter did.
I just had a birthday fundraiser and earned $120usd which, obviously, isn’t going to go too far. Do you have any suggestions on where to purchase a sewing machine at a good price and, what else I should look for?
Thank you for your interest. I hope everything is going well for your ladies.
Arlene Allen, Founder
Alliance for Africa’s Orphanages, Inc.
Hi Arlene, that’s such a good idea! How thoughtful and helpful of you to do that for the widows! It’s been awhile since we tried to buy sewing machines. Our experience in Zambia wasn’t what I’d hoped for. But one thing worked well and that was to buy a machine in America and hand carry it to Zambia. That way, I knew it was in good working order with all the accessories needed. So, I’d say, that is your best bet. Purchase the machine in a country where you know you can find a quality machine and then you ( or someone you know) can hand carry it on the airplane to Africa. I also bought a small collapsible cart with wheels that I could pull it around in the airports. It helped tremendously. I suppose a sewing machine can be sent on a container as well, but that takes a lot longer. I hope that helps!
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I was hoping that someone will know of someone reputable in Africa since I don’t know of anyone who would be able to hand-carry anything. (I tried to have a friend take a wheelchair with her and it was too much of a problem. Having older friends doesn’t help. lol.) Maybe, someone else will see our conversation and have ideas.
Yes, I hope they do! Also, check with other organizations and ministries in the areas of the orphanages. The larger ones are used to bringing supplies to Africa and they may have a good answer for you.
Thank you for your advice. I saw some made in China. I wish I knew their quality. Too bad they aren’t dependable.
Hi again, I just realized I gave you advice for a sewing machine that runs on electricity. Do your widows have access to electricity? If not, I think I would try to buy treadle machines in a country closest to Africa and have them shipped. If you’re on social media, with a worldwide audience, perhaps someone in England, France or Spain might have an idea of where to purchase them. The ones we bought in Zambia were about $100 each and made in China and they were not good quality. That’s not to say that all wouldn’t be good. That was just our experience. I hope you find exactly what you’re looking for.
I inherited a Treadle sewing machine from my aunt and have used it ever since. It is in good working order and I would like to donate it to someone who would use it.
Hello, I am so sorry I forgot to reply to your comment. How nice that you were able to use your aunt’s treadle machine! I’m not sure what country you live in, but these machines are very expensive to ship. My suggestion is that you ask people in your area and see if they know anyone who would like to have it. Sewing machine stores and fabric stores may also be a good resource to ask for a recipient. It is very generous of you. I hope you find a home for it!