Exemplifying many of the principles of systemic change Sister Maria Ntjuyn, DC, starts with needle and thread in her sewing classes in the “Give Me a Chance Project.” Eventually, when the program is running efficiently, she wants to turn it over to the community to run. Then she’ll be off finding another need in some other place.
Her first effort is sewing classes held twice a week, but she’s also planning to offer other classes. She plans to sell items created in her classes in a store in the building and to hold other fundraisers to accomplish this goal.
“I feel like the women need the chance to better themselves,” she said. “They can do a lot, but they just don’t have the opportunity to do it.”
But eventually, the program has to become self-sufficient.
New to the community, Ntjuyn has relied on dozens of contacts with nonprofit agencies and this committee to help her know how to get started with a workable business plan. But all those questioned who have helped her in any way say it’s Ntjuyn’s own passion and continuous drive that have made her program come alive in a short time.
“She’s a woman that waits for no one,” said St. Benedict’s Foundation Executive Director Yvonne Coiner. “She’s passionate about what she wants to do.”
“She wanted to start something that didn’t exist and she did it,” said John Grima, a member of the foundation’s Social Entrepreneurial Committee that serves to help agencies that the foundation funds.
Grima said he admires Ntjuyn for being a self starter who saw a need and did everything in her power to work toward a solution. “More power to Sister Maria,” he said.
Coiner said Ntjuyn started classes last week in her new building at 2620 Washington Blvd. even while workers were still putting carpet down.
Brenda Rivera, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mother of children 8, 5 and 6 months, said meeting Ntjuyn changed her life as she joined the sister’s first sewing class.
“I have an opportunity to learn something new,” Rivera said, explaining that her learning in the class has gone much further than sewing.
Rivera met Ntjuyn when she was at the food bank serving as an interpreter for a friend who was applying for services. She said the nun asked her if she could be an interpreter for the class as well as a student.
“She gave me an opportunity to do something I’m interested to do,” Rivera said. “Someday I would like to be an interpreter.”
Rivera said she’s one step closer to that dream now that she has experience in that field she could put on a resume.
Those with low incomes can learn more about taking Ntjuyn’s classes by calling her at (801) 643-1221.
http://www.standard.net/topics/education/2010/05/07/nun-starts-free-classes-needy
Tags: Anti-poverty strategies, Change, Daughters of Charity, Systemic change
