South Africa

Sharron Dinnie writes to us following their visit to Guildford in September

I can't believe our visit is over. It is a "thing of the past" - but in a sense it feels as though we never left you - so much of the visit is still so real - I have thoughts, sounds, images all buzzing around in my head and my heart which keeps you all, and the wonderful time we had in Guildford, alive and precious!

I want to say thank you for the T-shirts - and would like you to thank all those who were involved in this amazing initiative! Schools opened yesterday after a week's holiday. I was down at Kwasa to meet with the After-Care children and told them the story about the shirts and then handed them each their own "Kwasa T-shirt." They sang a Kwasa thank you and we prayed thanking God for you all and for your generosity towards us. I think the picture I took reflects the joy and excitement everyone felt.Stella, Vinet, Dumane and Cebo were back at school too, of course. I have met with them all individually (and their families) since we arrived back,and want you to know they cannot stop talking about you all and the wonderful time they had - but they have settled down well to live "back home" - and seem motivated about their schoolwork and progress.

My love to you all

Sharron

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.

For the last 15 years the Diocese of the Highveld has pioneered work amongst those affected by HIV. This includes crèches for orphans, pre-schools, after-school clubs to help children who have no family support, with their homework. It also includes trained staff and volunteers providing home based care for those seriously ill, and basic health education. The also set up advice centres that enable people to secure health certificates, passports and identity cards which are needed as a prerequisite for social security grants. May of the projects in the poorest settlements are based on the Anglican Church, who draw volunteers together from all parts of the community. This parish has been proud to support this courageous and innovative work.

Kwasa

As well as supporting general work throughout the Diocese, our parish has been particularly linked with St Peter & St Paul, Springs and its project called Kwasa. Rev Sharron Dinnie is the Rector. She vsited Guildford with Don, her husband, and 4 children from the settlements in September 2011.

Kwasa is based on some old nursing huts and now contains a crèche, a pre-school and an after-school club. In 2008 17 people for this parish were privileged to spend two weeks in Springs, working in Kwasa and being inspired by the wonderful children and teachers there.

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/

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