April 2024 news from The Bridge Trust Ltd
One of our joys at Bridge is being able to visit projects we’re supporting and see the practical difference it makes for people.
On a recent visit to India, Dave and Rhi gave out certificates to 36 young women who had graduated from the sewing school run by our partner, LoveIndia. The sewing school project in Delhi helps women from the slums to acquire skills with the aim of supporting themselves.
We’ve received a generous donation which over the course of the year will enable us to provide a sewing machine for each of these women, so that they can continue using the skills they’ve learnt and hopefully establish themselves in their own businesses.
We’ve been encouraged by the success of this project and are looking at further ways to support these women.
A generous donor provided sewing machines for the young women in Delhi, India who were completing their sewing training
The new storehouse on the right, and the children enjoying the repaired basketball boards and nets
Bridge has been in the process of joining with the charity Care for Zambia, to oversee the Mutende children’s village and school in Chingola, Zambia.
Colin and Cara spent some time at Mutende in February, in their new role overseeing this project. They were able to see the results of recent investment on the site, including the new storehouse which is shared between the children’s site and the school, with two rooms on each side.
On the children’s side, the two rooms are to be used for storing produce from farming as well as other equipment. On the school side, the larger room is to be used as a temporary classroom, while we continue plans for the long-term expansion of the school. In time this will be converted back to storeroom use.
We’re very grateful to Eddie, from Station Hill Baptist Church in Chippenham, who came on the trip in February and helped repair the basketball boards. We’re hoping that the very hard wood he used will help resist the ants for a while! 🐜 🐜 🐜
One of the reasons why Mutende thrives is because so many have visited over the years and have ‘caught the vision’ for the wonderful place that it is. For that reason, we’re always keen to encourage volunteers to come with us on our team visits. The greatest need is for those who are just willing to spend time with the children, playing games, reading, doing art and music activities and baking. There’s also a number of practical handyman-type jobs that always need doing, so if that’s your forté you’d be very welcome!
Our next visit is planned for the beginning of July this year, but there'll be other opportunities in the future. If you’d be interested in coming with us, please contact us at [email protected].