By Sandra Anani
Spring 2020 Newsletter
[The fall 2019 newsletter had the first part of the story of Robert Musil’s sewing machine, a 1912 Singer treadle machine that he used for several decades in his profession as a tailor. Robert’s family donated the machine to P4P/SP in 2019 and in October we shipped it to Togo. Here is the next part of the story, written by the woman who got Robert’s machine.]
My name is Sandra ANANI. I am a 37-year-old widow with two daughters. The older one is Joséphine, who is in her final year of high school. The second is Marceline, also a pupil in the high school. I lost my husband 11 years ago. I worked part-time as a housekeeper and as an assistant cook in a restaurant to support my family. In addition to this work, I also did laundry for people in need. I do everything that falls into my hand to earn money and take care of my daughters. I pay for food, tuition, and rent with enormous difficulties, despite the fact that I am a seamstress. I am a high-fashion designer and I sew clothes for men and women, but I could not afford to buy a sewing machine.
My husband had promised to open my workshop at the end of my apprenticeship, but unfortunately he died after a short illness just a year before the end of my training. My step-family put me and my two daughters out; since that time our life became really difficult.
Like many women my age in our community, I never had the chance to go to school. One day, I attended a talk organized by the DRVR Association at a literacy center in my village. That’s when I discovered that the DRVR Association runs a program that supplies sewing machines to the needy. I joined their program and now I have my very first sewing machine. With this machine I can open my workshop and practice my sewing trade, earn money and save money to support my family. My daughters’ future depends on their studies and now I have my machine which will allow me to work and pay their school fees.
Words fail me. The photo shows the joy that animates me and my daughters at this moment. We thank the DRVR association, Mr. David of Pedals for Progress, and especially the family of Mr. Robert, who donated this pedal sewing machine. As my family life has just changed and improved, I ask those responsible — DRVR and Pedals for Progress / Sewing Peace — to do the same for other people like me.