By Kelline Linton, Staff Writer

One woman excitedly bought her first cooking stove, leaving behind open-fire cooking forever; another purchased a water buffalo to provide milk for her family; still another opened her first bank account, depositing her latest paycheck she has received in so many years. All three women, and countless others, have had their lives turned around by an Abilene company called Eternal Threads.

Eternal Threads is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to poverty relief in southern India.

Linda Egle, founder of Eternal Threads, will be the key speaker at Tuesday’s Chapel.

The company buys crocheted bags crafted by Indian women in drastic need of an income and then sells the bags in the United States. These poverty-stricken women live in villages where their families make less than $1 a day.

Following Chapel on Tuesday, Eternal Threads will be set-up in the Campus Center to sell tote bags for $20-45. The bags can also be purchased off the Web site at www.eternalthreads.com.

By crocheting the bags, the women can earn an income and still stay at home to care for their children and cook meals, said Joyce Hailey, instructor of journalism and mass communication.

Each woman crafts about four bags every month. One hundred and twenty women are currently earning an income through this organization, enabling them to access health care and purchase nutritious food.

Eternal Threads uses 75 percent of the profits to pay the women and pay taxes and import duties. The remaining 25 percent goes back to India and Thailand to educate girls.

One hundred girls are now receiving an education because of generous donations. The Eternal Thread policy states that this program not only improves literacy, but also can help girls avoid slavery, child labor, early marriages and sexual discrimination by landowners.

Eternal Threads is looking for volunteers from the Abilene community to help in the Healing Hands warehouse with unpacking and inventory. On Saturday or Monday, volunteers can help unpack the latest shipment.

The organization also has a great need for a business-minded person who can understand inventory control and Macintosh computers. Anyone interested in helping with this ministry can e-mail eternalthreads@mac.com.