Sarah's Update from Chennapatna

I have now spent several days at Ubuntu's Chennapatna workspace, teaching computer lessons and helping the women there practice English. I've never met a group that seems so cohesive - these women truly know how to work together. They have mastered the art of dividing the different tasks involved in making bags, so that they can turn out hundreds of bags very quickly and so that every woman learns each stage of the project at some point. In different areas of the room, some women will be sewing bags, some will be checking the bags for quality, some will be silkscreening light green designs, some dark green designs, and some ironing the bags to prepare them for packing. The space is full of resources such as a solar converter (Kodagahalli also features one), a computer, many sewing machines, and multiple screen-printing stations. In such an efficient atmosphere, one might expect the mood of the workspace to be dry and much too serious. In fact, it is the sense of humor and open attitude of the women there that drives their efficiency and creativity. During the lunch break on my third day, the women insisted that I learn to use the sewing machine. Having learned a few tricks in Kodagahalli, I made a miniature bag out of some old scraps of material, with help from a few of the women. They screen-printed a small design on it and slid my cell phone inside. It was the perfect size for a cell phone case! Everyone agreed that it was "bahut accha". I had not thought of that use for it, but the women had instantly come up with something. It is this creativity and resourcefulness that drives the Chennapatna workspace, and I am convinced it will continue to be successful as long as the women continue to enjoy each other's company - and therefore, the work they do. I will be returning to Chennapatna for a few more days this week. I look forward to helping them practice Powerpoint, explore iPhoto, and learn English, in exchange for the constant, informal lessons in Urdu, sewing, and silkscreening that I happily receive whenever I go.