Janet Arnold, lecturer of mathematics, Rose Riehm, lecturer of mathematics, and Margaret Ehringer, senior lecturer of mathematics, work together to make dresses for girls in Africa through the organization “Little Dresses for Africa.”
“Little Dresses for Africa” is a non-profit, Christian-based organization that provides relief to children in Africa.
Arnold saw a segment on the evening news about the organization, and she said she felt inspired to lend a hand.
“I thought this sounded like something that would be a good way to use our time,” Arnold said. “Getting together and making these dresses is a fun way to share our talents with others.”
Prior to contributing to the organization, Arnold, Riehm and Ehringer would go out to lunch each month before the school meeting. Now, they spend their time sewing dresses made out of pillow cases for African girls.
“This experience has been therapeutic,” Arnold said. “We come in to put our positive thoughts out and into something that will benefit others.”
The lecturers have met three times since January and may continue to meet during the summer.
“We aren’t sure yet if we will meet during the summer, but we will definitely start again next fall,” Ehringer said.
Arnold, Ehringer and Riehm have made 15 dresses so far, averaging six or seven dresses each time they get together.
“We are waiting to send whatever dresses we have made next month if we don’t continue in the summer,” Arnold said.
Throughout the years, Arnold has accumulated many pieces of fabric because of her interest in sewing.
Arnold is now using this fabric for the group’s dress patterns.
The lecturers have made dresses in various fabrics, patterns and sizes.
“I always buy fabric and have a plan for it, but I never go through with it,” Arnold said. “Once I moved, I realized how much fabric I have, and we started doing this project with my fabric.”
The fabric are colorful and donned with princesses and butterflies. Riehm said she hopes the fun patterns will bring joy to the little girls who receive them.
Once the dresses are complete, they are sized, individually placed into zip-close bags and sent to the organization.
“It is very rewarding to know a little girl will benefit from the work we have done together,” Riehm said.
The dresses are distributed through orphanages, churches and schools in Africa. The organization has received more than 130,000 dresses, which were distributed in 22 African countries.
“Little Dresses for Africa” has also given dresses to countries in crisis, such as Honduras, Guatemala, Philippines and Haiti.
Arnold said she, Riehm and Ehringer hope to make pants for little African boys in the fall.
“We hope to switch gears and make pants for boys if we get burned out on making dresses,” Arnold said.
Riehm said she hopes more IUS faculty members will join.
“We’d love for more people to join,” Riehm said. “Our friends in the Math Department have expressed interest in the group but haven’t been able to make it yet.”
By COURTNEY MCKINLEY
Profiles Editor
comckinl@imail.iu.edu
