As i work with a Women's group that provides treadles for women in rural Kenya, I can speak to this with authority. for 150.00 we buy new treadles in Africa for the village. Nothing as solid as the original Singers etc but they still provide a means for women to support their families making things to sell.
We are a small non-denominational group ( Women of Purpose International) that has outreaches in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Ghana. Education in Sierra Leone, small business set ups in the other countries. Prayer for all. The group in Sierra Leone makes the most amazing Batiks.