We had a true hybrid meeting on July 11 when our speaker, Pat McGill, presented via Zoom, while several of our members joined the Fanshawe College classroom from their remote locations. Pat McGill, a retired Sarnia chemical worker, spoke about his work to help empower women in Bujagali Falls and Mawoito, Uganda. The Mukwano Women's Group's lifeblood was selling to tourists, journeying to the area for whitewater rafting, he said. But tourism in the area was drying up in 2014 after half the rapids had disappeared following the installation of a government hydroelectric dam. Pat brings the quilted bags sewn on treadle machines (because there is no hydro) to Canada and all the proceeds go back to the women where they're used for school fees, medicines and other necessities. He says that RCLS member Joan Fisher is his best salesperson and she and other members were pleased to model the bags. For more information about this project, contact McGill at 519-908-9508, 519-466-4431, or kpmcgill1@gmail.com.
