A regular supply of fresh water

Since then £3,500 has been raised to provide money for two operations needed by Joaquina, a young girl with a badly deformed mouth. Additional money raised is being used to build a waiting room and toilet block for a the clinic on site.  

During our visit earlier this year to the Maforga Christian Mission and the 'Home of the Sparrow Orphanage' in central Mozambique, we again experienced the needs of people who are trying so hard to help those more disadvantaged than themselves. At the Maforga mission the greatest need was a regular supply of fresh water. The situation had been exacerbated by the fact that a borehole shaft had been broken, following an earth quake.

When I asked for ideas for a fund raising project it was suggested that the drilling of two new bore holes would benefit everybody at Maforga. To this end, since returning home in April, I have continued to sell jewellery and handmade cards. The money raised so far from this, along with some very generous gifts, enabled us to send out £3282 at the end of September. The first hole has now been drilled and we await further news about the second one. Steve and I have committed ourselves to raising a further £1,700 needed to complete this work before we visit Maforga again in November.

For the orphanage in Nhamatanda we have been promoting a 'sponsor a child' programme. Over 20 of the 49 children currently there are now being individually supported from £200 that is being sent out each month to ensure that basic food can be provided. In addition to this, we are seeking to raise enough money to add two brick dormitory rooms to increase the living accommodation to the point where there is room for each orphan to have his/her own bed. Although the cost of this still needs to be finalised, at this present time we have raised £780 towards this project.

We are excited about returning to Mozambique next month and seeing what has been accomplished at Maforga. We also feel privileged to be able to take funding with us to Nhamatanda, enabling the building work there to commence.

Whilst we continue to raise funds towards our targets, seeking to support these people with both love and practical gifts, we want to say a big 'Thank you' to all who have supported our efforts by buying and giving. We know that our help is very much appreciated by those in Mozambique whom we seek to support.

Picture of Stephen & Joy Cresswell at the Orphanage