Without a dramatic intervention, the future
seems extremely bleak for Swaziland,
a tiny country in southern Africa which is practically unknown to the Western Hemisphere. One look at the statistics and it’s
easy to see why. Recent studies show that at least 44% of the population is
infected with AIDS, many of them children. Because of the severe lack of
education about how AIDS is contracted, the pandemic is only getting worse.
Life expectancy is less than 40 yrs. and it is predicted that by the year 2050,
the country of Swaziland
will no longer exist. AIDS is literally eliminating an entire generation and is
leaving thousands of orphans in its wake. With a population of only 1.2
million, there are currently 60,000 orphans, 35% with AIDS. Many of these children
have been raped and otherwise abused since it is widely believed and practiced
that one can be cured of AIDS by raping a virgin. Since children also become
sexually active at a very young age (8-9 yrs), one can only imagine the young
age at which so many innocent children are exposed to such horrors. These
children grow up knowing little else, and unless something is done to pull them
out of this vicious cycle, there is little doubt that this country will indeed
soon vanish. Although the future of Swaziland may look dark, hope is
not yet lost. God has brought hope and light to this dark nation, and in a
relatively short period of time that light has been growing steadily brighter.
Adventures
in Missions has been working in Swaziland for several years, partnering
with Children’s Hope Chest to
create and facilitate locations known as “carepoints” for orphans and abandoned
children. There are currently 12 carepoints in operation, and they are run
mostly by the older Swazi women (known as Gogo’s) who volunteer their time to
take care of the children. Carepoints provide food, clothes, education, Biblical
training, love, and hope to children who would otherwise likely not survive. The
ultimate goal is to rescue the next generation of orphans before it’s too late,
and raise them up to become healthy, educated, Godly leaders that will be able
to rescue their own nation. Many of our World Race teams have been living and
working at these carepoints for the last few weeks, and as we prepare to move
on to a new country next week, I want to give you an opportunity pick up the
torch and help support one specific project here that is making a huge impact. It’s
called the Purse Project. Here’s a little background on the project.
Julie Anderson, an AIM
missionary, has been working here in Swaziland for 3 years with a focus
on women’s ministry. She does discipleship with the Gogo’s at the carepoints,
mentorship, and also organizes women’s retreats where the women are encouraged
to open up and talk about their lives. Most women won’t talk about what’s
happened to them, and the silence is not only killing them, but it’s allowing
the cycle of corruption and perversion to continue. The goal is to expose the
darkness with light and truth, then do everything possible to help the women
heal. Julie has gained the trust of these women and has developed solid
relationships with them. After hearing their stories and seeing their needs,
Julie set out to develop a creative way for them to generate some kind of
income to support their families while they volunteer at the carepoints. What
she’s come up
with has become known as the Purse
Project. Julie has taught many of the women how to sew, and together they’ve
spent the last year and a half building a small business…the Gogo’s sew purses,
and Julie/AIM sells them. Right now the
main source of business for the purses is mission teams that come to Swaziland.
Team members buy the purses, and many also take them back to sell at their
churches. The purses sell for 80 Rand (about $12), of which 40 Rand goes
directly to the women as personal income, the remaining profit goes back into
the business to buy more materials, additional sewing machines, etc. There are
about 45 Gogo’s who participate and they are currently making about $50/month,
which is a normal part time income here in Swaziland. Julie has seen first had
the dramatic difference a consistent income can make for the Gogo’s and their
families.
The
business is growing quickly, and research is currently being done to explore
ways of shipping and selling these purses in the United States as well. The
opportunity for growth is huge, and the hope is that eventually the volunteer
Gogo’s, as well as possibly other women in the communities, will be able to
earn a full time income from it.
There are still many areas where additional
financial help could make dramatic improvements. There are currently not enough
sewing machines for all the Gogo’s. A sewing machine costs $80, and the goal is
to have enough machines available for each woman to have her own. Another
financial setback is that there isn’t a large enough cash base on hand for the women
to receive payment as the purses are made. They currently have to wait up to a
month for their bags to sell and the money to be collected before they get
paid. Having the money available up front would allow them to receive payment
as soon as the purses are finished. Other areas of need include research for
expansion, inventory, purchasing materials, and quality control.
If
you would like to help support these women by supporting the project, AIM has a
fund set up that goes directly towards purchasing supplies to further the Purse
Project. There is currently no way to give electronically, but checks can be
mailed to
Adventures In Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA
30353-4470
For the donation to be properly directed, the MEMO
line should read Swazi Co-Op or CCOSW. All donations are tax deductible and you
will receive receipts for all donations made. Please pray about what part you
could play in helping the Swazi Gogo’s provide a solid future with love and
hope for the orphans of Swaziland.
These are a few of the
Gogo’s with new sewing machines!
Thanks so much for your
help! God Bless, Much love!
