Satin and lace spread out on the floor

DELINE: August 4 2013
Patricia E Lyon

The dogs no longer bark when we arrive at the home of Mr. Sok, Bos Kralanh Village. It was so quiet. I did not know all the women were inside already sewing. I gave Mr. Sok an enlarged picture of his youngest son that Suzanne and I used for presentations. The family was thrilled.

Then I began to look around. Some were making strawberry purses. Some were working on the tiny jewelry cases. I counted. Mr. Sok had made 21! Each one a different color, tied up in a ribbon. Oh, so lovely, and their own color combinations. The Khmer have a different color palette than ours. I went around and ooohed and aaahed. Then I spied many strawberry purses hanging on the wall. I asked if they were the work of the woman at a machine. She pointed to the other side of the room. She was pointing to Mrs. Sok! For three years she did not sew with us, only watching. She said it was her eyes. I put my hand on her arm and she pointed to her eyes and I hugged her. I still do not quite understand. But I think she was also lacking in self-confidence, and now she tackled the strawberry purse! Wow!

Next week we do quality control and buy the purses. How will I ever get them in my suitcase?