Sept 20, 2009

We are having our graduation today! We have 16 graduates so we are 100% over last year.

The celebration will be at the Trampled Rose at 2:00 this afternoon. We have traditional music, tej (honey wine) and local home brew. The women all have new shoes and clothing and their hair has been done. Its so hard to believe they are the same women who hopelessly arrived last year. I’m truly amazed at the quality of the work they are doing. It’s beautiful! Especially the bed spreads. I will bring some back with me.

After the traditional ceremony, we are having an after party at Spain Wine. My friend, Pedro, just opened up a shop so he is doing all the organizing.

Our staff has been so great in getting the women ready and everything clean and prepared. It looks like Santa’s workshop. I feel like I need to pinch myself to know that this dream we have all had for so long to give a chance to women who have no other chance is coming true! I’ve imagined and believed so many times.

I have spent the morning crying because its so hard to let go, I feel like it’s my children’s high school graduation all over again. I can honestly say we’ve done our best to get them ready for such a hard world. But now it is up to them. Isn’t this the hardest part of love to let go?