Making Progress Every Day

In January 2006, supported by Evangeline Ministries, Wendy Ryan went as a missionary to Cape Town South Africa to work with women living with HIV and AIDS. As she observed the people who came to the Living Hope HIV and Aids Community Center, she realized most of them were unemployed and idle because they were mostly unskilled and/or, because their HIV status barred them from even the most menial jobs. Many also battled for their health. It is in this context that Evangeline Ministries conducts sewing, business and computer classes, free of charge, to those who live with HIV and AIDS and other poor people from the Masiphumelele informal settlement.

Sewing Classes

Evangeline Ministries conducts a sewing class that teaches students the basics of sewing. It is a practical course that aims at equipping them to work on their own. When it began, in April 2006, EM repaired old, unused sewing machines that were stocked at Living Hope, purchased other supplies and found the teachers. The class was a great success. In December 2006, 15 women and men graduated from this class and each one was given a new sewing machine purchased by EM. In December 2007, we gave out 12 new sewing machines to graduates. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, our new class of 15 students now learn on new sewing machines.

Computer Classes

Evangeline Ministries strives to offer our students as much guidance as we can. To this end, in May 2007, we started an introductory computer literacy course. Four generous companies in the Cape responded to our request for donations of unwanted equipment. We began with four computers and we now have five — two of which are new, thanks to a generous donor — and reach 24 students weekly. In December 2007, ten students received certificates of completion for their work.

Business Classes

Evangeline Ministries partners with other missionaries who come in to teach Christian Business Principles to the sewing class. Rev. Steven Nicholson of Serv Life International taught the 2006/2007 class. At the Evangeline Ministries graduation in December 2007, eight students received certificates for attendance and practical work with MBA student with Patrice Harduar from Pittsburg, PA. Students also attended courses at the Fish Hoek Baptist Church led by the Brentwood Baptist Church, Nashville, TN. Teachers

EM is proud of the fact that, currently, all of the teachers in the EM program come from Masiphumelele, the informal settlement from which the students come. Not only are the teachers Xhosa speakers, but live where the students reside. They are well respected and we have begun to build a model designed to be self-sustainable in a few years.

The principal teacher is Namgamso Dynati who studied design and came from the Eastern Cape.

Khumi Morare is the assistant — and what a story she has! Last year, Khumi came to Living Hope at death’s door from HIV and AIDS. She brought with her three month old twins. She was nursed back to health at Living Hope and once she joined the class, her life turned around. She is easily the most accomplished hand bag bag sewer and she does all the cutting.

Our computer teacher is Siphokazi Peter, who earned her Certificate in Computer Skills at MSC College, in Alice, in the Eastern Cape.

Nutrition

At the end of class, Wendy serves tea, cookies and fruit to the students to ensure they get some of the nutrition they need.

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