January 7, 2010

Public Appeal to Help Set a Record and Build a School

WEST KELOWNA, BC: A teacher at Glenrosa Middle School is hoping to set a Canadian record and build a school in Africa—one small square of fabric at a time. 

Mary Anna Cimbaro, a home economics teacher at Glenrosa Middle (GMS), and her students are asking the public to help them set the record for the most number of people sewing quilts and the most number of quilts sewn.  They hope to attract at least 500 people to sew 500 quilts on Saturday, February 27 starting at 9:00 a.m.  Volunteers can sew for a half day or all day.  The quilts will be donated to a health clinic in Lui Namabunga, Zambia.  The Home Economics Department along with the Social Justice Program are also involved in raising money to build a school in the same village through a Canadian non-profit organization. 

Cimbaro is hoping to raise $8,000 for school construction through raffles of two quilts including a beautiful quilt depicting the challenges and hopes of the villagers.  The quilt is a collaborative work:  fabric and 30 hours of piecing were donated by Sherry Ellis and Lorraine Isaac of Tyjos Fabrics, and 25 hours of machine quilting time was donated by Lori Pratley of The Quilt Studio.

“The final quilt—the grand prize in our raffle draw—is a work of art valued at $1,000,” says Cimbaro.  “It is an amazing collage depicting the geographical location of Zambia on the African continent; the school that will be built; a young girl carrying a child—the  double orphans whose parents have died of AIDS; a young boy carrying a basket on his head, which represents the children who are forbidden to go to school and instead are forced into child labour; brilliant sunflowers are a sign of sustainable farming; and the faces of women represent empowerment through education and their role in the development of laws, government policy and the economy.”

There are several ways that people can help:

1.Donate fabric for the quilts.  It should be good quality quilter's cotton in any colour.  Minimum size 9" by 42".  Fabrics can be dropped off at the school library or in room 151.

2.Sponsor the project to help with the cost of thread and other supplies.

3.Buy raffle tickets for $2 each at the school or Tyjos Fabrics, 2959 Lakeview Cove Road.

4.Buy a Sew Zambia button to commemorate this great event for $2 on sale at the school.

5.Join the sewing team on February 27 to help set a sewing record.  All levels of expertise
are welcome.  Please contact the organizer as soon as possible to register.

“The quilts will be a small token of aide from our school and our community to people half a world away but it’s not small in spirit,” says Cimbaro.  “This project is a creative way for students to experience being global citizens and I expect it will also foster enthusiasm for the practical art of sewing.”

Approved by the Superintendent and Mary Anna Cimbaro on January 7, 2010

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For comments, please contact:

Mary Anna Cimbaro, Home Economics Teacher, Glenrosa Middle, 250-768-1889 extension 4043

Jamie Robinson, Principal, Glenrosa Middle School, (250) 768-1889

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.