Hmong Textile Arts at Harding High School http://www.hmongnet.org/class/harding99

Elders in the Classroom

Twice every Friday, a group of Hmong woman elders visit the high school classrooms to teach Hmong culture and history through sewing.

The woman elders have found employment that is close to their heart. Especially for those who live alone and suffer from feelings of loneliness and isolation from society, the weekly activity has re-opened their opportunities for human interaction - Interaction with the students, the program coordinators, and with each other! As sewing teachers, they have also found a sense of empowerment through their ability to share with the students what they call the insignia of Hmong cultural heritage in an educational setting which Hmong value highly.

Teaching sewing to boys is a new experience for the elders. (photo by Masami Suga, 1998)	Students sit around the elders to learn sewing the Hmong way - by watching and practicing. (photo by Masami Suga, 1998)
Because Hmong sewing does not rely on drawn patterns, Chia Vang (an elder) helps a student, Fue Khang visualize his design so that he can start sewing a bookmark of his own. (photo by Masami Suga, 1998)	Working with the elders brings a smile to all of the students, in this picture, Iriya Thao. (photo by Masami Suga, 1998)