Photo Gallery: Creating a Future
Posted Jun 26, 2011 by 3 Comments
For women with HIV/AIDS, making enough money to support themselves– let alone to feed their families — is incredibly difficult. These women don’t have the opportunity to find even low-paying jobs or the access to develop skills that would bring in money.
As a result their entire family suffers.
At Beacon of Hope women who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS have found an answer in the Vocational Training College. The facility offers affordable courses in sewing, weaving and Kikoi making (a type of woven fabric).
Last week, I spent the day with the incredible women who are in training at Beacon of Hope, where I discovered that with their new skills the students can do amazing things…
- Learn More: The Vocational Training College is part of the Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA), a network that works to eliminate poverty through the use of fair trade. To learn more about fair trade and other organizations that are a part of COFTA, visit http://www.cofta.org/en/en/index.asp.
- Consider where you buy: Is there a local artisan that makes things you need on an everyday basis? Is there a non-profit or a charity selling products you have to buy anyway? Search out ways to make your purchases count by supporting your community and those in need.
- Lift up in prayer: While the Vocational Training College may give women new opportunities in life, their other problems don’t go away. Pray that the women at Beacon of Hope are able to thrive in their home environments and that God blesses them with success and stability for their futures.
Molly Meyer
About the Author: Molly Meyer was a summer intern with World Next Door in 2011. She currently attends Indiana Wesleyan University where she’s studying Journalism and International Relations. She loves discovering how God can work his grace through every story, no matter the circumstances.
Jim.M said...
June 27th, 2011 at 12:16 am
Molly, the images are awesome. Number 14 is riveting. I followed the link in “Next Steps” to COFTA, there are a lot of cool products produced by BOH and others. Can’t wait to know more.
Laura Stump said...
June 30th, 2011 at 7:51 am
This is beautiful, Molly. I love that they are part of the work of “Bezael” and creating artwork for the glory of God–that’s even better than the already valuable idea of marketable skills!
Breanna Sipple said...
July 4th, 2011 at 5:15 am
Love the big smiles you captured
I’ve sewn all my life and I am so glad these women can learn those skills. It’d be neat to see some pictures of things they have made.