Dream Cathcher

Today I met a young woman who was looking for one of the teachers here at Little Wound. She was carrying around a young toddler. After a good spell, the girl came up to me and asked me if I knew where the teacher was. I told her I did not, but would let her know she was looking for her if I saw her. It was then that this young woman asked me if I wanted to buy a dream catcher so she could buy pampers for her child. My heart broke. The poverty on Pine Ridge is so real and so raw. You would be astonished by the number of unwed mothers on this reservation. The teen pregnancy rate is astronomical. I tried to imagine what it was like to have no money to buy diapers for my baby, but had to ask a complete stranger to buy my wares. I, of course, have no idea if she will use the money for diapers. But then I began to wonder if it mattered. The work she had put into the dream catcher was evident--the beading is incredible so why not pay the girl for her work? Well, there are a lot of reasons why not, all of which I am wrestling with. But at the moment it seemed right, though the solution is certainly not sustainable for either her or I. If anyone has any wisdom regarding what I might do when presented with these situations, please let me know.

The picture I posted is not an exact replica (mine is prettier), but it gives you the idea.

Please pray for C and her baby. I know that I shall see her again because she not so subtly hinted she would be back with more wares.

P.S. As an International Development major, I couldn't help but wonder why these little things couldn't be marketed--they really are beautiful. I am wondering if I could sell them through Ebay or something like that and give the money to the women...