News & events
April 2010
The past few weeks have been spent busily organizing workshops and a project vehicle. After a crazy mission up to Mozambique to collect a donated 4x4, we finally have some project wheels. It has been such a blessing to be able to head here and there as we need to and has helped us broaden the scope of the project.
We have also started craft workshops, training a handful of people from around the village, both young and old. We figure the best people to start with are those who are able to speak a little English, so that teaching them is easier and they can really understand what the project is all about. In time, these individuals can teach others. They have been learning different methods of how to make jewelry as well as how to work with leather. Those involved with the workshops are thoroughly enjoying them and it’s really great to see the enthusiasm and dedication they put in as they, like us, are volunteers. We are working towards sending our first shipment of jewelry overseas to a Fair Trade business which helps support community project like this one. We are also busy looking for local South African and Sotho outlets for what we produce, hopefully even setting up a small market stall in the local town of Maputsoe.
If anyone is interested in the jewelry you can find photos of it in the picture gallery. We are happy to take orders and ship over to you.
Unfortunately, we are still too short of funds to thatch the roof of the community center. We are looking to raise around 25000 maloti, or 2500 pounds to finish it so that we can hold our workshops in a better space.
Special Thanks ...
This year there have been some businesses around Bloemfontein, South Africa who have really helped us and made a difference for our project.
A big thank you to Sign Worx in Bloemfontein for helping out with a sign for the car, we now have our lovely Garden of Hope logo on the side! It really does make a big difference around the local towns and villages, helping to spread awareness of what is going on in Ha Matsoete.
We would like to thank Peter from Auto Services for his excellent work getting our car up and running. His kindness, generosity and patience have been much appreciated.
Gekko Graphics, thanks for printing our brochures and business cards and Peter from Bloemfontein Solar for the use of a solar panel.
We are very happy to be sponsored by the lovely people at Kotoko Tannery. They are donating leather scraps for our workshops on a monthly basis and are making a big difference for the village.
Finally, thank you to the talented Andrew Page who designed our logo.
When people can come together to help, we can all achieve so much more. On behalf of the Garden of Hope community, thank you,
May 2009
New Logo
Currently we are in the midst of changing the name of the project from Twalla to Serapa sa Tsepo, which means Garden of Hope. The reason for this change is due to political reasons. We have been donated a new logo by Andy Page, a talanted artist with our new name and are in the process of updating all our PR! We are now 90% registered!! Nothing is easy or quick when dealing with government offices in Africa, so we hope to be fully registered by 2010.
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January 2009Village Survey
During January 2009 in Lesotho we conducted a survey of the village people. It was an eye-opening reality check about the lives of the individuals and their families living in the village. Sickness and lack of employment were the two main problems that effected over 90% of the families. Many people were suffering from illnesses such as TB and AIDS. Others didn't know what illnesses were, having not been able to have access to a diagnoses. In some situations, a grand-parent would be taking care of 9 or 10 orphans, cramed into a one-roomed hut, with no or very little financial support. We will compile and publish the data from the survey in the coming months.
November 2008
Sponsorship!
We have been incredibly blessed to be sponsored by two South African businesses, whom without, we would have been unable to achieve what we have. Ian Barr from Bloemfontein General Motors sponsored us with the use of a vehicle during our last 2 months in the village. A thank you also goes to Peter from Bloemfontein Solar who gave us power and allowed us to use a solar panel while in the village.