Johannesburg, South Africa -- Rows of 1-room cinder block homes line Soweto township's dirt roads. Jagged pieces of broken glass stand on top of wooden fences in hopes of protecting their fortresses from impending robbery. Perceiving this life as normal, school-age children enjoy the last glimpses of vacation in the overgrown fields, while their underemployed or unemployed parents wonder how to get them the required school uniforms.

Ten determined women sit day after day in front of sewing machines at Pastor Johannes' church. Located in the middle of Soweto, the church sanctuary has been one of many Operation Blessing sewing project centers for over a year. Once these residents were trained in practical sewing, they decided to see if their sample uniforms were good enough for a school contract. Pastor Johannes organized a fashion show. Soon a local school placed an order for two hundred uniforms to meet the uniform requirements of poor students!

The seamstresses were excited not only because they were among South Africa's thirty percent unemployed, but also as mothers, they were relieved to know their children's school and living needs would be met! For at least the next three months there would be money enough for food and even a little electricity. As employees, the women are also allowed to make needed clothing for their families.

"This is a great testimony for the community as they see the practical aspects of Christians working together," commented Ken Pettitt, Operation Blessing's outreach field representative.

Fifty percent of South Africa's population lives below the poverty line (World Fact Book 2000). Through this sewing micro enterprise project, Operation Blessing is empowering South African men and women to be able to not only help themselves, but their neighbors as well. Through something as simple as making school uniforms for impoverished children seeking education, we can make a world of difference!

You can make a world of difference too!

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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