Double the value of “White Cross” dollars?!  It can be done!

The occasion to “go public” with a scheme that effectively doubles the value of White Cross dollars came at this year’s meeting of hospital medical directors.  “Mama” Jackie, Jill, Tryphen and Mami arrived at our meeting room just before break.  Somewhat overwhelmed by the number of doctors in the room (all men), timid, tiptoeing, and taking care not to disturb, they placed 200 newly stitched sheets and surgical drapes on a table in the back.  At the break, I introduced the women to the doctors, and the doctors to the women, explaining briefly our scheme to multiply the value of precious and highly sought White Cross dollars and their benefit:  perfect skills, provide income, enhance self esteem, promote self reliance, and provide high quality sheets for our hospitals and surgical sheets for our operating rooms.

The idea was born two years ago, in a moment of exasperation, as I paid an exorbitant customs bill for liberating the White Cross container.  It irked me: such a high price, such precious and sacrificially given dollars, such corrupt officials.  There had to be a better way!

About that same time, the Congo Baptist women’s leadership team, and missionary Jill Lowery, calculated.  How, with minimal resources, could they create ways for young women graduates from the Mitendi Center to perfect their sewing skills, and even earn a small income to encourage them towards independence?  My exasperation, their calculation, and the discovery that 30 yard bolts of heavy quality cotton fabric cost only $90, lined up perfectly.  Instead of continuing to import hospital sheets and to consume White Cross dollars on customs fees, we launched a different scheme.  I bought 10 bolts of fabric, procured a hospital mattress, and begged a surgical drape (sheet) from the Vanga hospital to serve as a patterns.  At the Bandal Women’s center, now a sewing workshop for Mitendi graduates, with my mattress and drape, I explained to Mama Jackie, Jill, and the group of young apprentices exactly what was needed: sheets with pleated corners to hold tight onto the mattress corners, and others with well finished mid-line openings, patterned after the surgical drape.  I stressed the importance of uniformity of size, perfection in workmanship, and consistency in quality – just like “manufactured” sheets.  Nothing less would do.

We agreed on a price per sheet for labor, and under the exacting mentoring of Mama Jackie and Jill, who insisted that every cut be straight, every seam flawless, every corner square, and edges professionally finished, the girls went to work.  .  Within 2 weeks, they burned through the 10 bolts of fabric.  Proudly, they presented me with the first bunch of completed sheets and drapes.  Using White Cross dollars, I paid for their labor instead of paying for customs fees. I bought more fabric and the process began again, and in just a week; another batch of handsome sheets, more perfect seams, another payment, more fabric, the satisfaction of accomplishment.  A small percentage of each girl’s wages, Jill holds back until she will accumulate enough to purchase a sewing machine of her own. 

When I finished explaining this strategy for providing high quality sheets, and as Tryphen and Mami “modeled” a surgical drape and a fitted sheet, the doctors clamored to the table gathering around the girls to admire their work.  One exclaimed, “Wow, these sheets are of the best quality.”  Another, “They’re perfect!  These could be marketed to any hospital!”  In front of all those doctors, Tryphen and Mami exchanged looks of amazement.  Had anyone ever admired their work?  Had they crafted something of “the best quality”? 

God shows up in unexpected ways.

Thank you for giving to White Cross!  Your generosity is being multiplied, and has made White Cross even more important to health care in Congo because the blessing is spreading to include Mami, Tryphen, Colette, Sandrine, and other young women who are discovering that they can serve God in a way they never imagined, and that the fruits of their labor are the “best quality”.