Letters from Overseas

July 2008

She makes herself coverings....she supplies the merchant with sashes.

Proverbs 31:22, 24

This letter is a sequel to our March letter, also looking to the last section of the book of Proverbs, which told in part about the PEDRA girls making bi-coloured woven bracelets on order from Church World Service in the USA, one of the PEDRA program's sponsors. A total of 227 girls in seven of the PEDRA centres—in Quelimane, and in six rural communities—learned to make the bracelets. By the deadline of June 30 they produced 7,285 bracelets, 6,200 of which are now in Maputo on their way to New York. Everyone was astonished that such a project could happen so successfully in so short a time—everyone except the industrious girls themselves.

We asked some girls why they took to bracelets so readily. Their answers are verbal snapshots of their lives.

• Flavia, aged 14, who made 95 bracelets, said, "People admired the bracelets and my ability to make them."
• Eva (13) and Lucia (12), who made 50 and 150 bracelets respectively, both said, "I like to learn new skills."
• Graciela (14), who made 85 bracelets, said, "We learned to make a beautiful thing."
• Joaquina (12) made 40, and said, "It gave me an activity. At home I have nothing to do when I'm not working."

Almost all the girls said this. They don't have leisure objects—no dolls, toys, computers, TVs, music players, sports equipment—all the goods that clog the bedrooms, recreation rooms, and homes of most Canadian girls their age.

Though no one said they'd done it for the money, all the girls said they were indeed happy to earn some; young people their age here have no opportunities for paying part-time jobs. Each girl received 10 meticais, about 40 cents, for each bracelet of acceptable quality. We asked what they would buy. Their answers were very different from typical pre-teen and early-teen girls in Canada buying makeup and music. The PEDRA girls will be buying basics:

• Like a striking number of other girls, Mira (13) said she'll buy shoes.
• Ana (11) was typical of many who said they'll buy school supplies.
• Still others like Helena (11) said they'll give most of their earnings to their mothers, to help buy clothes and food for the family.
• Flavia gave some to her father to help pay for a zinc sheet for the roof of their house, and gave some to her church.

They're hoping for another project just like it—to learn a skill, beautify the world, earn a little income, and feel good about themselves and their abilities to face life and challenge, and succeed. PEDRA is primarily a program against HIV/AIDS, and girls like these are in the best position to make the necessary disciplined, positive life choices that will keep them from infection. Girls with money in their pocket are less at risk from men who offer shoes or school fees for sex.

In the end, together they produced 1,085 bracelets above what Church World Service ordered. Young business people that they are, they're hoping to use these to generate more income.

In mission and service, Karen and Bill Butt

Karen and Bill Butt are United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel serving with Conselho Cristao de Mocambique in Mozambique. The work of this ecumenical partner and the work of overseas personnel are made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.