Respecting family and partners skills - Nokwazi's story

Nokwazi (not her real name) has been with us for about 4 years. She is still young, living with her brother and granny. Nokwazi’s father died last year December due to illness, when he died she was living in one of the home because the father was an alcoholic and the granny was too old to manage to look after the two children living under the same roof with an alcoholic man. Working together with the social workers in Howick we managed to walk with Nokwazi to make sure that she survive last year. Nanie our child care worker, she had to go with her to Durban hospital, spending time with her even overnight, Nanie was her mentor. Now Nokwazi has been placed at Impendle where other family members lives, then we decided that we have done enough now that she has been reunited with her relatives, but we are still working with the family since her brother and granny are still living in Mpophomeni.

Good choices that bring hope!

Hi Everybody Today has been close to one of the most important days in my life. My name is Esme Raw,(The Prodigal Volunteer), missionary at Ethembeni. Today we started a new sewing project in Kwa-Hasa. This day marks the start of a project that I have felt God calling me to since September 2011. This project wouldn't be possible without the help and support of my dear friends and colleagues Phindile and Thembelihle. We were offered a room in Phindi's mom's house, (thank you kind mother), and started today with 5 people. I cannot describe the wonder and excitement of something so small as the skill of sewing by hand, can bring to people. The lack of water or electricity didn't put anybody off, and it was amazing to see the creative gifts and talents made visible. You might ask if the sewing project can bring in a sustainable income? I don't know. Can it bring change? It's possible. But most importantly, can it bring hope? And with that, I can say a definite yes. Where God is made welcome, change is inevitable. Where God is present, hope is real. And as we continue this journey of helping those in need, I ask you all to continue supporting Ethembeni in prayer. All the glory to our God and Savior who is our hope. Esme PV