South Africa

 

 

The parish of Holy Trinity and St Mary’s has been linked with the Diocese of the Highveld in South Africa for over ten years. We support each other through prayer, friendship, exchange visits and mutual support in our work serving those in need in our very different contexts.

The Diocese of the Highveld stretches from the Eastern suburbs of Johannesburg 220 miles across the high rural plateau to the Swaziland border, and contains towns, villages, townships (where non-whites were resettled from the towns) and informal settlements (shanty-towns), as well as vast tracts of beautiful country.

It was the first area in South Africa to establish sustainable projects working to support those affected by HIV/AIDS. For nine years we part-funded Rev Lynne Coull, the Diocesan HIV/AIDS project worker. Her work was to find those who were already beginning to set up crèches for AIDS orphans, pre-schools, after-school clubs which provide meals for households where the parents have died of AIDS, ‘soup-runs’ and other home-based care for those ill at home. She helped them get funding, support from outside their immediate neighbourhood, and acted as wise counsellor and supervisor. Lynne retired in December 2009, but our funding continues.

 

In November 2006 Bishop David Beetge made Robert a Canon of the Diocese.

 

In August 2008 17 members of the parish visited the Highveld to see projects in action and work at Kwasa, a pre-school serving an informal settlement in Springs.

 

 

In January 2010 Robert and Hilary visited Johannesburg and saw the latest developments at Kwasa and in Embalenhle, a vast township of which Rev Forbes Maupa is the Rector at the Anglican Church of All Saints.  Click here to see report.

 

Gifts from South Africa

Kopanang is a workshop producing beautiful embroidered wall hangings, cushion covers, bags, and beaded items. It employs women in the local township and gives them training and skills to develop themselves. See www.kopanang.org

Just Cards Direct has cards produced in Mamelodi township, Pretoria, for all events, including Christmas and birthdays. It is based in Farnham, Surrey. 

See http://www.justcardsdirect.com/

 

If you would like to know more about our parish link with South Africa please contact:

Marja Geusebroek on 07776224453 or email: margeu78@hotmail.com

More information about the Diocese of the Highveld can be found on: http://www.diocesehighveld.org.za/

 

 

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