For more than two weeks, he's traveled two and a half hours both ways in a cramped minibus. Twenty-six-year-old Arthur was determined to learn everything he could about sewing machine repair from American Dave Blow. His daily journey from Soweto to Johannesburg is an answer to this young South African man's four-year prayer for a marketable skill which will enable him to provide for a future family.

In partnership with Nehemiah Partners, OBI has distributed a total of 250 sewing machines into fifteen South African townships reaching from Johannesburg to Swaziland and on down to Capetown. CBN South Africa and Go-Tell Communications has acted as valuable in-country support and liaison between the different project sites. But this endeavor couldn't have been accomplished without volunteers Dave and Andrea Blow. For the past two months, this American couple from Minnesota has been traveling to all fifteen sites to train South African men and women how to use and repair the donated machines. They also made suggestions as to what kind of products could be sold on roadside stands and in tourist shops - such as pillow covers, back scrubbers, and big bags with straps.

Set up inside Jesus Is The Answer Church, over twelve sewing machines whirl in action as Lucy teaches her friends and neighbors a new craft. This Sweto woman had attended Dave and Andrea's five-day training class along with Maria and Arthur. All were excited to see what kinds of product would take form beneath the needle, thread, and material. Goodness sat quietly while practicing to sew straight stitches. This opportunity for income is desperately needed by this mother of four. Her husband can't find work. She happily comments, "Thank you. Now I will be able to care for my children."

While on a recent project visit, Kreg Vaughne', OBI's Regional Manager over Africa relayed, "I think this project has great potential," he further shared, "Anything that empowers people to be made more productive, creative, and self-sufficient is worth replicating. The looks of hope and self-confidence on the student's faces were enough for me to begin to search out other venues to implement this project in."

Next week, learn how the Sewing Machine Project has impacted the lives of Florence's family in Diepsloot as well as brought hope to twelve women in Johannesburg's poor Hillbrow high-rise community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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