uring a recent visit to Ntshongweni Mission we saw how the women of the community, who live in crippling poverty, tap into four powerful sources to keep their spirits up:

The first is their faith in God. The second is unquenchable hope. Third is their belief in their ability. And fourth is the love and support of Mission friends like you.

High on a hill overlooking the other surrounding hills and valleys, the women were hard at work trying to establish a community garden. Their dream is to improve food security and sell the surplus for income.

They’ve had some success growing cabbages and spinach, but the staple patch of corn was a failure. The main problem is getting water to the plants. This is done by rolling a barrel of water to the site and tipping the contents into buckets and jugs to water each plant individually.

What a difference a long hosepipe could make! What a difference a larger water tank would make! And a mechanical hoe with other sturdy tools! (The handle of Eugenia’s hoe was loose, making it almost useless.)

If you will renew your generous support as a Mission Patron now, your gift will help provide these and other resources needed to make a success of this project. Plus, you’ll give the women all the encouragement they need to continue striving to improve their lives and circumstances.

Gifts of any amount are highly appreciated and will make a difference.

But if you are able to give £45/$60/€55 or more, we’d like to recognise your exceptional generosity by inscribing your name on the Mission Patron Roll of Honour, and sending you a small gift of appreciation – a wooden bookmark. Your special intentions will be also included in our special monthly mass for Mission Patrons. So please remember to list them here.

Please download this special holy card to keep track of the mass dates so you can be present ‘in spirit’ as we pray for your special intentions.