The Mongolian Quilting Center in Ulaanbaatar was opened in 2004 under the direction of Selenge Tserendash, a young Mongolian lawyer. She founded the New Way Life NGO (Non-Government Organization), with the purpose of assisting needy Mongolian women both economically and socially. Quilting is a new activity in Mongolia, but the women have excellent sewing skills and are eager to learn. Even the nomadic families own old hand-cranked Russian sewing machines and have recyclable fabric. The Center employs four full-time seamstresses making items to sell, and three teachers. They have taught over 400 women, and now have a waiting list of students due to spatial constraints.
In 2003, Selenge appealed to quilt teachers in the US for help and quilting expertise. Maggie Ball answered that call, and in 2004 went to Mongolia as a volunteer with her daughter. They taught basic quilting skills, and the piecing of the traditional Mongolian ölzii motif thought to bring long-life and prosperity. This motif is featured on aprons, bags and quilts that the women make to sell. Maggie returned to Mongolia in 2006 to help organize the first international quilt show in Mongolia in collaboration with quilters from the UK and Japan. In 2007, the project received international attention at the Festival of Quilts in UK where we exhibited and fundraised. The progress made by the Mongolian quilters in the last three years is astounding, and they are making beautiful quilts. Check the website, www.dragonflyquilts.com for more details and pictures.
The time has now come to purchase a permanent Center in Ulaanbaatar, so that the New Way Life NGO may continue, and more effectively, make a significant difference to the lives of Mongolian women and their families by providing social and economic benefits. The proposed building would include a large classroom, workrooms, a nursery, an office, a retail outlet, and storage for equipment and supplies. In addition to quilting and other crafts, women would be offered classes in health and nutrition, and low cost or free legal assistance. With your help, we can make the dream of raising $100,000 become a reality.
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