Canning project is completed!

A phone call to Kyrgyzstan gave me the information I was seeking:  the canning project has been completed.  Friday, October 15 was the final day.  Each week day, for more than two months, 20 – 30 Uzbek women, whose homes had burned, arrived each morning at a secluded location and were shown crates and bags of produce.  The task for the day:  convert raw produce into cans of salads, pickles and jams to be tucked away for winter weather. 

In all, over 1,300 women were able to come and altogether they preserved more than 40,000 liters of canned goods;  on average, more than 30 liters per woman.  It was our goal that not only would they take away food for the winter months, but also a dose of hope.   We are so grateful that the project proceeded undisturbed, that no local authorities interfered or were able to stop the work.  Though we were on location at the start of the program, we had to leave after a few short weeks and those who carried on, daily showing up, rolling up their sleeves and hanging out with the women, need to be commended.

The clothing distribution continued nearly to the end (but eventually, even 10 tons of clothes runs out!) and tushaks (long sleeping/sitting pads) were given to about half of the homes.  Additionally, funds were donated to give each woman a length of fabric to sew herself the traditional Uzbek garment. 

I know each time I open a can of food this winter, I will remember the brave women of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, who have faced tragedy and survived.  I hope you will, too.