I went to Swaziland in 2013 as a volunteer with the Australian Government to teach sewing skills to a group of women living in extreme poverty in a rural location of their beautiful country.
After several months the women were showing great sings of their learned skills and were very keen to earn money to support their families.
Many of the women live in dwellings that are only one room and made from sticks, stones and mud. They do not have electricity, sanitation or clean drinking water.
Unfortunately I got sick while there and was returned to Australia and my volunteer assignment was terminated.
I am now returned to excellent health and planning to return to Swaziland in February 2015 to continue to teach these women and expand the sewing group to help more. I will return as an independant person, self funded and without the financial backing of a volunteer organisation.
I would appreciate any financial assistance to purchase sewing equipment and materials for these women.
While they live in poverty and have nothing, not even a bed, they sleep on grass mats on the dirt floors of their 'homes', they have a spirit that is infectious with the most beautiful smiles that light up the space around them.
I plan to work with these women to impart my sewing skills and take them to a level of being able to sell their items locally and internationally.
I will continue to work alongside the KuDvumisa Foundation to continue the sewing project and also commence to teach some young girls at a local orphanage.
Check out my website for more information about the sewing group and the plans for their future
www.georgiewhitchurch.org
Check out this website for more information about some of the work being done for poverty areas and combating HIV in Swaziland.
http://kudvumisafoundation.org