An Emphasis on Gender Equity
What a grand vision of God! We are not first and foremost Americans or Russians, rich or poor, black or white, male or female, but primarily we human beings are one in Christ Jesus. The ground at the foot of the cross is always level. There is a divine equality to all people and human community.
What do you see in the photo?
Three young women. All wearing uniforms with light blue shirts and dark blue sweaters. Their polite posture and demeanor. Three older sewing machines.
Each woman with a sewing machine. Dresses hanging from the right wall. Plastered walls and concrete floor. You can't see the foot treadles on the floor beneath the machines. You can't see the pride in their skill and work.
KCI (Kiteredde Construction Institute) is the only school in this area of Uganda that enrolls children who have completed the seventh grade but have not passed the examinations to be admitted into high school. One reason that the students haven't passed the high school entry examinations is due to their poverty. Sixty percent of the students are total orphans (who have lost both parents) and these students are now training in life sustaining skills such as home management. KCI has a policy of "training the girl-child in the above skills."
A girl's tuition for school is $10 less than a boys; the "female intake has risen from six to twenty-five in one year." Research tells us that when a girl attends school, she will delay having children and will have half as many children. LWR supports organizations that value "gender equity."
Please notice all the clothing in these pictures from KCI. All the clothing has been made by these young seamstresses. In the prior devotional, the three boys were wearing shirts, slacks and sweaters that were tailored by the women. In the next devotional, the dancers will be wearing colorful creations that were envisioned and made by the seamstresses at the Institute.
LET US PRAY: Dear Jesus. We thank you for all the fingers and hands and minds that have created the clothing we wear. There is such variety in fabrics, design and color and we thank you for the creativity that you have poured into your people. In Jesus Name.
