Here we are with the year of miracles in 2006. Our vision is so clear – so very crystal
clear – we will achieve – despite all the things which create hesitation and concern –
we will come forward and we will succeed in what we are doing – because it is the
right thing to do. Because it is ours to do.
So, here we are in Chimoio (which means small heart) – creating a new vocational skill
for uneducated girls. We are creating much needed educational materials in the fight
against HIV/AIDS and all the other ways people are dying here. Our new life skills
training center in Chimoio will be providing vocational skills training to older female
orphans (who are uneducated or undereducated) who have multiple younger orphaned
siblings. In this we are supporting the girl, the siblings and through a small loan
association – the greater part of the orphans of Chimoio as well.
In the past women/girls were only allowed to be domestic household help, usually
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (salary $20.00 per month), or to raise crops in a garden and sell
them on the street, or cut hair or to crochet or knit – but not sew.
That’s it – not too many options; so if they had little or no education by the age of 9
they were looking for how they could receive payment through the only thing they
had – their sex or their marriage to a man. Creating a baby became their only social
welfare. It not only creates a bad self-esteem/attitude – it sets a terrible role model
for the younger girls to look into their own future.
Now, for the boys/men – they can sell anything on the streets or markets, they can
become masons, tailors, road workers, shop clerks, house builders, work in any kind
of production, priests/pastors, fix cars or bicycles, carpenters . . .. the list goes on
and on.
By creating dolls – dolls are considered a household thing so it’s okay for the girls to
make them, (whereas they are not permitted to tailor or sew clothes for sale). Also,
we are making anti-bacterial soaps (thank you Suzie) and insect repellent candles. We
are creating a Survival Skills Training Manual to teach children and adults everything
they need to know to make their life better and to stay alive!! These are such simple
things – Things the whole world knows – but not Mozambique.
Education is inherent and it is free – or it should be. It costs nothing to teach the
alphabet or to show someone how to apply pressure to a cut – how is it these things
are not taught here and people are dying daily from the silliest and stupidest things?
In a country where only 200 doctors are covering an area twice the physical size of
California – people must know how to care for their own bodies, wellness, and
survival.
God has brought us a building – it was a school for making fabric; but it needs to be
renovated as it’s been sitting empty for 6 and ½ years so I am going to Maputo the
end of this month to try to get some funding for repairs – a new well, and to remove
and replace the inside ceiling and to reconnect the plumbing/septic. If you are aware
of any businesses or groups in the States who would like to contribute to our
renovation, please have them contact me and I can get them a full proposal and
information.
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