Finding purpose after grief

by Joellen Schadek

The Paul Schadek Sewing Academy was founded in July 2019 after the unexpected death of my husband in September, 2018.  Paul was the light of  my life, my soul mate, my protector, my best friend, my encourager, my teacher, my heart and soul.  After he died, I was completely lost and broken.  I felt the purpose of my life – to take care of him during his 14 year battle with cancer – was gone.  What was left for me?

I spent that first Christmas with my son and his family in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  It was HARD but I got through it.  My daughter-in-law, Katherine, recognized how broken I was and generously invited me to go with her on a teaching mission trip to Kenya through e3kids International in July of 2019.  I thought and prayed about it and decided that that was something I’d like to do.  I completed a 4-5 page application and had a wonderful interview with Carol Turner, the founder of e3kids.  She accepted me onto the team immediately!  While a bit apprehensive, I was elated that I had something to anticipate and look forward to.

I am not a teacher but I do have a degree in Graphic Design so Carol asked if I would bring arts and crafts for the kids at the Royal Kids Schools in Mikindani and Jomvu, Kenya.  Finding projects for the younger children was quite easy but I was struggling to come up with ideas for the older kids.  I’m an avid quilter, and while working at my machine one day and pondering what projects I could have the older kids make, I clearly heard a voice saying “teach them to sew.”  I had no doubt whose voice that was!  

I immediately contacted Carol and asked if she thought teaching the kids to sew would be a workable plan.  She expressed that a tailoring class had been the dream of the founders of the schools, Grace and Ngao Kea.  Carol contacted Grace and was given a list of items they felt they’d need to start classes.  Those items included 5 manual (treadle) sewing machines, one electric machine and 1 overlock (serger).  Electricity would need to be run to the classroom and supplies would be needed a well.  Carol asked what of those items would I be willing to provide.  Without hesitation I agreed to purchase everything needed to start a sewing class!  Remember, I KNEW whose voice I heard and KNEW I was meant to embark on this journey and I KNEW this was the purpose God had set for me.

I was not prepared for the love and joy and acceptance from all Kenyans I met.  I felt such complete and utter peace in Kenya even though I was kept extremely busy getting the classroom outfitted.  Electricity was run to the room, windows and a ceiling were installed (to keep the monkeys out!!), shelves were built, machines were bought and delivered.  I interviewed and hired a wonderful young lady to teach the classes. Wakio has become my adopted daughter over the last several years.  She is highly dedicated to the classes.  I’m currently putting her through school to earn her teaching degree so she is qualified to teach higher learning classes.

At one point, and I truthfully can’t remember exactly when, Carol asked me what I wanted to name the sewing classes.  I immediately said the “Paul Schadek Sewing Academy” because if it weren’t for his untimely death, I would never have embarked on this journey.  I wanted the honor of the academy to be his, not mine.

I was overwhelmed and completely surprised when a grand opening ceremony took place.  I had absolutely no idea this was being planned and still to this day cannot figure out how a painter was able to paint “Paul Schadek Sewing Academy” on the wall outside the room without my knowledge.  I think I spent most of my waking hours in that room!  When that sign was revealed, Katherine and I hugged and broke out in tears.  It was such a wonderful tribute to such a wonderful man.

Classes started immediately.  We are teaching tailoring to 6th graders through Form 4 (Seniors) and giving them a skill that they can carry on throughout their lives.  The goal of the academy is to become self sustaining through manufacture and sale of school uniforms and other items such as deras (loose flowing dresses), bags and feminine sanitary needs. We are not quite there yet.  The shutdowns due to COVID over the last several years have put our program behind schedule.  Wakio is doing her best to get caught up.

I returned to Kenya in March, 2020 with the intent of discussing the direction we wanted the academy to travel.  I had thought about setting up a scholarship program where one or two deserving tailoring students would be given a full or partial scholarship to a master tailor school each or.  Or perhaps several deserving students would receive a manual machine.  I just wasn’t sure what would be best and wanted the Keas, Wakio and school administrators to have some input.  After a lengthy meeting, it was determined that the best course of action for the academy is to apply to the Kenyan Government to become a school of higher learning (our equivalent of a tech school).  If the application is approved, the academy could then charge tuition to members of the community and teach beginning tailoring through to master tailoring.  Again, COVID has slowed down that process but we are still moving forward with those plans.  This is the reason Wakio is furthering her education.  She will be qualified to teach these classes.

I am also considering opening a sewing academy at the smaller campus of Royal Kids School in Jomvu which is a more remote campus.  The challenge there is that a building would have to be erected to house the sewing academy.  I’ve been told that could cost $11,000 at least.  I will continue to pray about this and feel confident the Lord will guide my decision.

I am hoping to return to Kenya in June of 2022.  I have not been able to go since March 2020 and I miss it terribly.  I was able to find peace and joy there.  Paul is at rest there (figuratively).  When people ask “if you had a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?”  My answer is always “KENYA!”

To say that my experience with e3kids has changed my life is an understatement.  It has given me purpose, goals, hope, commitment, contentment and most of all complete joy.

I am so very thankful that I listened to that voice telling me to “teach them to sew.”  My life is forever changed and had it not been for e3kids giving me this opportunity, I don’t know where I’d be today.  I’m no longer lost and broken!  I am happy, fulfilled and joyful and can look towards the future with faith that God will continue to guide me in my mission to help the wonderful people in Kenya.

I am reminded of my favorite verse in the bible:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord.  Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope

Pictured from Left to Right: Grace Ngao (founder of Royal Kids School), Valentine Wakio Leah (Sewing Teacher), JoEllen Schadek, Carol Turner (founder of e3kids), Teacher Moses