CAMM Dresses for Zambia and Malawi

Our Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) of Emanuel recently sewed 61 dresses for young girls, ages infant to teens, in Zambia and Malawi, Africa. These countries are part of the Central Africa Medical Missions or CAMM.  There were many volunteers who helped with this project from beginning to end, including Heather Sulzle and her 59 art class students. Her students made yarn/plastic canvas crosses so that each dress had a cross in its pocket to remind each young girl of their Savior’s love for them.

The project started with many donations of fabric, lace, bias tape, elastic, and thread. We had a workday to cut the fabric and other items to size. A ‘kit’ was then made for each dress and placed into a Ziploc bag along with directions. Many volunteers and LWMS members took kits home to sew and in a very short time, they were all sewn. Some women enjoyed it so much they came back to get even more kits to sew!  Everyone remarked how cute the dresses turned out and said they would like to do this again.

The dresses were packed into boxes for mailing. Also sent along were Thrivent t-shirts and many baby items they requested. We now are anxious to hear that the packages arrived in Africa safely. It can sometimes take up to 3 months for their arrival there, so we wait. Postage is very expensive, but with the help of generous donations including Thrivent, it was accomplished.

These dresses were sewn with care and love for these young girls. We thank our Heavenly Father for this opportunity to help and serve others.

John 15:12,  “This is my commandment: Love each other just as I have loved you.”