A stitch in time: Please join us for a great craft fair

Our Craft Fair at St Lucius' on July 12 will help to raise funds to buy hand sewing machines for the Bishop Musa charity in Africa. The exhibition will include work of quilting, knitting, willow work, screen printing, cross stitch, crochet, and painting.

Bishop Musa of the Diocese of Rorya, has sent this message outlining the sewing machine project in Rorya, Tanzania. 

The Department of Mothers Union deals with mothers and girls aged 14 and above. The aim is to unite the mothers across the Diocese by preaching the good news and helping them achieve their daily lives by providing essential education, spiritually, socially and economically. 

But also by working closely with young girls to make sure that they are well protected, trained and equipped with essential skills which will enable them to achieve their dreams in life. 

 WHAT WE TEACH 

• The effects of child marriage and child pregnancy.
• The effects of female genital mutilation.
• Mother and child care.
• Basic teachings of the Bible and the Christian Faith
• Independence and self-reliance 
• Entrepreneurship education 
• Sewing skills. 

WHY ONLY GIRLS?

• So they know how to manage themselves.
• So they can get rid of the burden of depending on their parents and be independent.
• Changing their lives physically and spiritually

The Department is serving girls because of the challenges they face such as:

• Early pregnancy and oppression.
• Lack of opportunity to continue their education at other levels. 
• Their financial crisis led us to start with only girls, but we hope to start a men's class.

The class is progressing very well. We started with three girls in 2022, but 10 graduated this year. We now have 13 girls, five of whom will graduate in July.

Most come from difficult circumstances, so the Department strives to provide them with sewing machines when they graduate. The department is making appeals to people who are interested and have a God heart to help with providing sewing machines to the centre and for the girls. 

May God bless you.

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