Maryknoll in Cambodia

Seedling of Hope Photographs

Photographs of the

Seeding of Hope Quilt Project

The quilting room at Seedline of Hope One of the devastating results of being diagnosed with AIDS is that many, sometimes even family, reject the person who has tested positive. Here on the second floor of Seedling's center, the women--when they feel strong enough--come to make quilts together and feel part of a community again.

Two women on the sewing machines The Seedling of Hope project is not a huge operation although it has been quite influential as a model for caring for people with HIV/AIDS. Perhaps its greatest contribution has been that it has cared for people who have had nowhere else to turn, some of the poorest of the poor.

Two women on the sewing machines Devastated by the diagnosis that they have HIV or AIDS, the men and women who come to Seedling of Hope are often at a loss as they begin to deal with the future. For these women, participating in the quilt program has given them a chance to be with others like themselves and a chance to earn a small amount of money as they prepare for their future and that of their families.

The final step: adding her name to the quilt A very important part of the quilting project is for the woman to add her name to each quilt when it is finished. Most of these women had no knowledge of quilting before, but slowly they have become quite accomplished and now their handiwork is both a source of pride and some small income.

Sewing on the floor while her son sleeps After the initial parts of the quilts are sewn on the machines, much handwork needs to be done. The woman in the rear delivered her son (sleeping on the table) shortly after being diagnosed as HIV positive. The baby is not infected but his future is at best uncertain.

Starting to layout a new quilt Here a woman begins to layout on the floor a design for a new quilt. How long they will be able to work with Seedling the women do not know; but for the present, each day they have a place to go and something to do and people who care.

A finished quilt on a bed at home The quilts created by the Seedling women are quite beautiful. The idea for the project came from Margrethe, herself an artistic and skilled quilter, who obtained donated sewing machines and material scraps, and then began to teach the women herself. Many western families in Phnom Penh now have Seedling quilts in their homes.

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	One of the devastating results of being diagnosed with AIDS is that many, sometimes even family, reject the person who has tested positive. Here on the second floor of Seedling's center, the women--when they feel strong enough--come to make quilts together and feel part of a community again.
	The Seedling of Hope project is not a huge operation although it has been quite influential as a model for caring for people with HIV/AIDS. Perhaps its greatest contribution has been that it has cared for people who have had nowhere else to turn, some of the poorest of the poor.
	Devastated by the diagnosis that they have HIV or AIDS, the men and women who come to Seedling of Hope are often at a loss as they begin to deal with the future. For these women, participating in the quilt program has given them a chance to be with others like themselves and a chance to earn a small amount of money as they prepare for their future and that of their families.

	A very important part of the quilting project is for the woman to add her name to each quilt when it is finished. Most of these women had no knowledge of quilting before, but slowly they have become quite accomplished and now their handiwork is both a source of pride and some small income.
	After the initial parts of the quilts are sewn on the machines, much handwork needs to be done. The woman in the rear delivered her son (sleeping on the table) shortly after being diagnosed as HIV positive. The baby is not infected but his future is at best uncertain.
	Here a woman begins to layout on the floor a design for a new quilt. How long they will be able to work with Seedling the women do not know; but for the present, each day they have a place to go and something to do and people who care.
	The quilts created by the Seedling women are quite beautiful. The idea for the project came from Margrethe, herself an artistic and skilled quilter, who obtained donated sewing machines and material scraps, and then began to teach the women herself. Many western families in Phnom Penh now have Seedling quilts in their homes.