Francisca Mbele is a 73 year old granny who makes Little Traveller dolls. Of ten children she raised to adulthood, all but one have passed away, and she now cares for her five grandchildren, ranging from 6 to 20 yrs in age.
Francisca (who is affectionately known as “Gogo”, a Zulu word for “Granny”) has been beading for six years, having learned at the Hillcrest Aids Centre. She initially came to the centre when one of her granddaughters fell very ill. She explains, “Paula [the director of Woza Moya income-generation project] taught me how to bead. So I’m happy. I didn’t do beading before, but now I’m clever. [Jill of Woza Moya) gave me glasses and now I can do it fast.” In fact, Gogo says that if someone brings her tea to her, she can make up to 20 Little Travellers in one day.
Gogo is very happy to be part of the beading project at the Hillcrest Aids Centre. She describes her poverty before she started beading: “Before, I hadn’t got even shoes. Nothing before. I was too frightened to go outside. I was afraid people were going to laugh. I had nothing. Nothing to eat, no clothes.” By making Little Travellers, Gogo now earns approximately R300-400 (~$60 Cdn) per week, and she uses it to buy food and blankets. When asked what the Little Travellers mean to her, Gogo responds, “They mean that God helps me. God helps me to do these dollies. He looks after me.”
In addition to participating in the income-generation projects, Gogo receives a weekly food parcel from the AIDS Centre. Her gratitude in spite of all her hardships is inspiring. “I’m happy! I’m too happy!” she exclaims joyfully.
By purchasing Little Travellers, you are supporting people like Francisca and her family. In addition, all further proceeds help the Hillcrest Aids Centre to provide “unconditional love to all those affected by HIV/AIDS in a practical way”.
Francisca (who is affectionately known as “Gogo”, a Zulu word for “Granny”) has been beading for six years, having learned at the Hillcrest Aids Centre. She initially came to the centre when one of her granddaughters fell very ill. She explains, “Paula [the director of Woza Moya income-generation project] taught me how to bead. So I’m happy. I didn’t do beading before, but now I’m clever. [Jill of Woza Moya) gave me glasses and now I can do it fast.” In fact, Gogo says that if someone brings her tea to her, she can make up to 20 Little Travellers in one day.
Gogo is very happy to be part of the beading project at the Hillcrest Aids Centre. She describes her poverty before she started beading: “Before, I hadn’t got even shoes. Nothing before. I was too frightened to go outside. I was afraid people were going to laugh. I had nothing. Nothing to eat, no clothes.” By making Little Travellers, Gogo now earns approximately R300-400 (~$60 Cdn) per week, and she uses it to buy food and blankets. When asked what the Little Travellers mean to her, Gogo responds, “They mean that God helps me. God helps me to do these dollies. He looks after me.”
In addition to participating in the income-generation projects, Gogo receives a weekly food parcel from the AIDS Centre. Her gratitude in spite of all her hardships is inspiring. “I’m happy! I’m too happy!” she exclaims joyfully.
By purchasing Little Travellers, you are supporting people like Francisca and her family. In addition, all further proceeds help the Hillcrest Aids Centre to provide “unconditional love to all those affected by HIV/AIDS in a practical way”.
1 comment:
How many of us thank God every day for the ability to work our relatively very high paying jobs? Francisca thanks God for the ability to make a doll... Do Francisca's words inspire you to thank someone or something for the blessings in your life? Is it possible for us to revert to a time when we were thankful for the pair of shoes that we wear? May we open our eyes and learn to have a heart for Africa.
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