Recording a Friend's Reinvention

Recording a friend's reinvention. That might describe today's rewarding errand as I delivered donations to FLORECE while also taking time to assist Catalina in the final step of an important project. A self-employed and talented seamstress, prior to COVID-19 Catalina rented her own workspace and shop in Iquique's "Feria Persa" where a steady clientele kept her comfortably busy from month to month. With lockdown, however, she lost not only her location but also the liberty to interact with others and the availability of materials to ply her trade. Using fabrics she had on hand she did the next thing she could, which was create colorful face masks when wearing them first began. 

The landscape of her livelihood shifted in the pandemic and may never be the same. Ever courageous and clever, Catalina in her mid-60's now finds herself on a learning curve to create and master an online presence through social media. One way she hopes to do so is by earning a scholarship through SERCOTEC, a organization in Chile which seeks to empower "micro" businesses and entrepreneurs. Today's assignment was to produce a 90-second video of Catalina presenting her project idea and designs and explaining specifically how she would use any funds awarded.

One of her novel ideas is an attractive woman's scarf with a mask attached which can be revealed or hidden as the wearer wishes. She gave me her first prototype as a going away gift to Eva. This was especially meaningful because Catalina graciously invested herself in our daughter for a season. When Eva was younger, she would regularly spend time at Tía Cata's shop learning to sew alongside her. They even made miniature outfits for Eva's toys. Because of Catalina's patience and delight, sewing is something Eva enjoys to this day.

Catalina and Eva in 2015

It was a small thing, recording and uploading the video and helping a bit with her new Instagram account. But so worth it to see my friend's smile and hear her relief at accomplishing this application on time. Catalina is not only a seamstress and a friend, but also a committed volunteer and our live-in caretaker at FLORECE. In fact, the donations I brought were ones she coordinated to receive and will carefully distribute as she has done all throughout this crisis. As I was carrying in the bags before she realized I had arrived, I could hear her worshipful singing on another floor of the building. I can only hope that in twenty more years I might have the tenacity and tenderness of this dear woman of God! What a blessing she is to all who know her.