The Sculpture....

I want to share the story of this sculpture with you. I hope you are sitting back perhaps with a cup of coffee or your favorite soda.....this story truly is one that warms my heart every time I look at it.

In April when we were on our mission trip, we were taken to a group of women (a co-op) whereby the women, 35 total, make their best craft items to support themselves and their families. They have combined their resources and built a small craft house whereby they sell their goods. As I wandered around this store, I looked at what they could do with their hands ~ it was simply incredible. They have little in the way of monetary resources and yet they can make things out of trees, sticks, material, beads etc. I began to think about Simple Hope and who we are as an organization ~ I took a break from my "shopping" and went to sit under a tree and I imagined a circle of us together holding hands women and men....together, united by our bridge of love between our worlds. I saw they had resources to build and carve then it hit me. We were going to be in Tanzania 3 more weeks, would they be able to make something for Simple Hope?

I got out my notebook and pen and "sketched" my typical stick figures that I am so good at~LOL! I sat down with Eva (the head of this women's co-op) and asked her if there might be somebody that could make this sculpture I was thinking about? As I showed her my picture it was as if she knew! She looked then asked me a few questions and said she would report to the group and have it made! I thought to myself "did she really understand what it was I was thinking about - my stick people did she understand how they all stood in a circle with hands joined together?"
Eva said she would have it done before we left and I thought, well, this will be interesting to see how our two languages would work together.

On our way to the airport on our last day, Eva met us! We met at a restaurant whereby all roads came together. She was coming from the opposite direction as we did but nonetheless we met ~ and she presented this sculpture! My eyes wide open, my mouth dropped open I was speechless. This is exactly what I had in my mind! I am still thinking about how through my stick people that I drew, my Swinglish (English and Swahili) description that this is the end result.

This sculpture will always be our marquee item! This group will custom make this sculpture for anyone who might be interested. We will have 2 sizes available a 10" and a 14". If you are sincerely interested, please email me: simplehope1@gmail.com.

I will be returning to Tanzania in September and can pick up the sculptures when I return or they can be shipped to you in advance.

Thank you for letting me share this beautiful story ~ not only are you helping those that work so hard to earn a single dollar for their families but you are also showing your love for our Tanzanian brothers and sisters!

Blessings and peace ~