Day 4: Stitching it all together

She might be a little older than the typical student who runs around the village.

That also means she has bit more responsibility falling on her.

Madam Maxo is a 41-year-old mother of nine who also cares for six extended relatives, placing her in charge of 15 children ranging in age from barely toddling to towering over her. The 10 girls and five boys rely on Madam Maxo to provide for them — her husband has no job or any way of supporting the family.

Madam Maxo, back right, stands with part of the 15 children in her care

Madam Maxo found hope in Lifeline’s sewing class. She enrolled it in to learn a craft to help support her family. Once she completes the course, she’ll make the clothes to sell in a Haitian market. Some of the purses and other items will also be taken to the United States and can be purchased from various people associated with Lifeline.

The bags have various prices, although most fall in the $25-$30 range. For each bag sold, 50 percent goes back to the school to pay for the class and teacher, with 25 percent going directly to the purse’s maker. The remaining 25 percent is an investment in the future, being placed in an account that will be given to the purse maker upon completion of the class so she can purchase her own sewing machine and make business on her own.

For Madam Maxo, that means money.

For Madam Maxo’s children, that means hope.