The container is packed and ready to go
It has taken longer than we would have hoped but the Container Project is finally nearing completion. The Africa Equip team has been very busy over the summer getting a container ready for shipment to Swaziland. We conducted an inventory of all the donated equipment and books we had in store and sent the lists to the projects and contacts we had in South Africa so they could let us know what they needed. A 20ft container was purchased in mid-August and all the books and equipment sorted into destinations for loading. This was completed in one huge day of effort early in October. The container was loaded project by project with sections separated by plywood partitions with all spaces filled as far as possible. Our thanks go out to George Sykes Timber Ltd of Atherstone who donated all the plywood. The photos show various stages of loading.
As well as many thousands of school books the load includes school desks for three schools, swimming training pool equipment for use at New Hope orphanage, industrial and home sewing machines, industrial tools and equipment, computers, toys, art equipment, knitwear and blankets, bicycles, large cooking pots, Braille books and aids for the blind.
The container will be shipped via Durban, in South Africa, from where its journey will continue by road to the inland container port at Matsapha in Swaziland. Its final destination will be adjacent to the home of the Christ Worshippers Choir. The whole trip could take several months as delays are likely at both ports.
As our representatives in Swaziland the Choir will organise the distribution of the container goods to the various projects listed below which are in Swaziland except where indicated.
• Dlangeni Primary School
• Ekwetsembeni Special School
• Restoration Baptist Church, Kgabalatsani, South Africa
• New Hope Orphanage
• Mindazwe Primary School
• Evusweni Nazarene Primary School
• Orphanage at Elwandle
• Numsa’s soup kitchen
We are also giving books and other goods to the Butterfly Project in Uganda. These will be sent in due course in a second container.
News of the Christ Worshippers Choir
We continue to support the living costs of the Christ Worshippers Choir and have recently purchased a new set of tyres for their Minibus and a new water heater for their home.
Mhlonishwa one of the totally blind choir members has amazingly gained a place at Southern Nazarene University. We are very proud of him for his achievement and if he qualifies he will be the first professional blind teacher in Swaziland.
The Government will pay for his course but he will have to find the money for food and renting a room as the University is too far to travel on a daily basis. This will cost around £60 a month and we urgently need help in finding this extra money.
If you would like to make a contribution specifically to help support this young man please contact Anne on 0121 704 4305 or e-mail anne.walker28@btinternet.com
School uniforms for orphans
One of Africa Equip’s supporters donated £40 to be spent on school uniforms for orphan children. Many schools insist on children wearing uniforms even though they are so poor. The picture shows Skhumbuzo Gama one of the recipients proudly wearing his new uniform.
