August 2012 Sewing and Carpentry Program Update

In 2003 Betty and our daughter Renee had the desire to go to Africa.
After then receiving a magazine from the Toronto Airport Church that spoke of Rolland and Heidi’s work in Mozambique, the decision was made.

In August 2004 Betty and Renee travelled to the Zimpeto centre and were so impressed with the work there that we all decided to go back in 2005. Betty went for 3 months, Bob for 2 months and Renee for 10 months. Betty worked sewing for the needs of the centre, Bob worked in carpentry, making a false ceiling in the clinic and building cupboards for the library, and Renee worked in the baby house.

In 2007 Bob and Betty decided to return and stayed for 3 ½ years. Bob and some boys from the centre built cupboards, beds, tables and benches. They also opened a proper workshop in Marracuene. They began the first year by training two boys in the making of windows and doors.  The next year saw four boys being trained up. It was great teaching these boys a trade that they will be able to use in life.

Betty started teaching girls to sew and with assistance from Iris Canada they were able to set up a sewing room and purchase machines. In the second year the sewing room space was doubled, enabling more girls to be trained.  Betty injured her back in 2010 and we had to return to Canada.

We have missed Mozambique greatly and so now that Betty’s back has recovered, we are returning to Zimpeto to carry on with carpentry and sewing. We are leaving Canada on August 20th, 2012, and are planning to be there for 3 months.  We are hopeful of continuing in this pattern of travel going forward.