Project Work

• Parenting Course
• Sponsorship
• Soup Kitchens
• Away-from-it-all holidays
• Present Aid
• Prison Visit Help
• Virtual Babies

Parenting Course

Audrey Leatham, Branch Leader of St Michael and All Angels Pensby, completed the Parenting Facilitators Course in the summer of 2007. Here she is at St Michael's Church, Newton with some of the parents and grandparents who have come together for a six week course on 'What can the parent of a teenager do?'
The course looks at a number of issues such as: -Where do I start?, listening skills, managing conflict, teenagers and discipline and the healthy family. Through group discussion, watching a DVD, case studies and finishing with a much needed time of relaxation; this group of parents will work together, under the guiding hand of Audrey, to help them through one of the most challenging phases of family life.

Sponsorship

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:10:57 +0200

From: "Hazel Mzamo"

To:

Subject: MOLWENI!!GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN!

Hi there LadiesCompliments of the season the you all, hope u all had a blessedChristmas and a Fab New Year! My apologies i have been so out of touch,but Im done with tech now so i dont have access to e-mail and a computerlike i did before!Yes IM DONE with my studies, i have completed my Degree in PublicRelations Management. I PASSED EVERYTHING-VERY GOOD as well since a 60%and above is very good at Btech level ( which i was doing)My marks are as follows:Communication Science 4 62% Research Methodology 56%Management Practice 68%Media Studies 3 60%Public Relations 4 65%Apart from that I was fortunate enough to get a job, YES IM A WORKINGLADY now! I work at Western Cape Provincial Government, started here onthe 30 October [ while still doing my final exams]. Im a ProjectAssistant Officer working within the Department of the Premier ie: MrEbrahiem Rasool.The Directorate that I work under is that of SocialCapital-Implementation and Design. In a nutshell, I co-ordinate andfacilitate events for the department, eg: conferances, culturalimbizo's, learning networks,large scale events for the City of CapeTown. Although I dont work independantly AS YET, Im so learning,networking and getting as much exposure as I can. The environment isvery nice, Im actually the baby in the office and my boss is a Blackwoman [ REPRESENT, REPRESENT!!!!]. First time EVER to have a female bossbut she's really cool. Im here on a contractual basis till end of Febbut my contract will be extended and a permanent post will madeavailable in March which I will definately be applying for. Theremuneration is ok, not what I had expected [since its govt] but I dontwant MONEY to be the driving force in my life - NOT YET in anyway. Imjust grateful that I got a job and Im utilising my 4years at technikoneffectively!Apart frm work, social life is all good, my best friend and I had thisHUGE fight via e-mail yesterday-so we both be angry at each at themoment. On the lovefront, there is no guy and to actually be honest,itdoesnt bother me in the least. At home, my parents are well, they hadleft for vacation during December break to visit grandma in the EasternCape, so I spent Christmas alone, mostly with my friends! I had aFABULISTIC holiday, the very best in a long time...Otherwise thats me, right now I would like to send out a heartful THANKYOU to u-LADIES AT MOTHERS UNION. Thank you so much for your financialassistance over the past 4 years. If it wasnt for you, I would not bewhere I am today! Im endetted to you and much love and appreciation fromme as well as my parents.Ndiyabulela [THANK YOU]I will never forget what u have done for me and I DEFINATELY will notbe a stranger!!!God Bless and take careP.S. Please find attached photo of me, this is what I had worn to mygraduation last year, Im going to ANOTHER 1 this year,I HOPE it opens,its one of my final projects that I had to submitt for MEDIA STUDIES-its called MY EDUCATIONAL ODDYSEY!

ENJOY! LOVE U LOTS!

Hazel Mzamo

Soup Kitchens

Chester Diocese has been linked with Cape Town since 1972 and members have been providing the funding for the Soup Kitchens for many, many years.

The soup powder is provided in 25kg. sacks and the soup when made is supplemented with fresh vegetables which have been grown in vicarage gardens, or obtained from shops at the end of the day when they are sold off cheaply, because they are out of date. Out of date bread is also bought then, if there is any available.

The members who make the soup are very proud to do so , and consider it an honour to make it, and find the vegetables that go in it. Five members of Chester M.U (including myself) were privileged to go out to Cape Town to see the work of the M.U. and go to one of the soup kitchens. We were told to be at the arranged site ( a piece of waste ground) at a certain time - but one has to remember our time and African time are not the same !!!!! However, after a while two cars arrived, went to the centre of the piece of ground, and sounded their horns. Immediately, from seemingly nowhere, dozens and dozens of children came running clutching a mug, bowl, margarine carton, anything that would hold soup, and miraculously formed two lines behind the cars, no pushing or shoving. Then they put their hands together and prayed. I enquired what they were praying and was told it was the Lords Prayer (in their own language) and that they always did this.

The soup was in huge containers, and was lifted out of the cars, and the children were then served with their portion. Some children received a slice of bread, but there was not enough for each child - but not one of them complained . About 200 children were served that day. Believe me, the five of us stood there with tears running down our faces to see children queuing like this for food, the only hot food they would get that day.

There were some teenagers standing to one side and I went to talk to them - on enquiring why they had not joined the queue, I was told that they were lucky enough to have had a hot meal at home, so they did not want to take anything away from the other children. One of them asked where I was from - I said Chester in England - "Ooooh is that anywhere near Manchester" they said - "Manchester United - Oooohh!!! David Beckham".

It was a visit none of us will ever forget.

Sheila Melton- A+O Unit Co ordinator

Away-from-it-all holidays

Away from it all holidays is a scheme that offers caravan holidays to families who have been subjected to Domestic Violence or that they have a disabled child who needs 24/7 care , and some just need time out to reassess the family unit.

The Haven Caravan Parks that are used are around Blackpool and North Wales, which are of easy access as we don’t provide transport. Each van is supplied with linen, and free entertainment passes. Cots and High Chair are available if needed.

Every referral is special as each family has some kind of problem and to offer them a holiday is so rewarding for them and the referees. The referrals come from Women’s Aid refuges, Social Services, Doctors and Clergy.

We have sent 18 adults and 27 children away this year at the cost of £4200, and they are all very grateful to the Mothers’ Union, as some have never had a holiday.

The letters and pictures received afterwards of how much they have enjoyed the holiday and how it has given them the strength and confidence to carry on, is heart-warming as many of them are at breaking point.

To be able to send more families away we need more funds.

Present Aid

Make a world of difference with Chester MU Present Aid

The Mothers' Union Literacy and development programme helps to break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Working where the need is greatest it empowers men and women, building on their experience and skills, to become leaders in their communities and to find jobs and to develop projects that benefit communities.

Give a gift that can change a life for just £25- proceeds go towards funding literacy projects in Sudan, Malawi and Rwanda. Contact Us for more details

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24: 3-4

Helping Visitors to the Young Offenders Prison at Thorn Cross

MU members from Great Budworth Deanery help to look after the children of visitors to Thorn Cross YOI on Saturday afternoons. Some are the children of relatives of the prisoners, and some are their own children.

There is a very well-equipped safe play area adjoining the visiting hall and the children come and go freely between the two. Quite often families have travelled a considerable distance and so it is a great help to have somewhere where the children can be active. In good weather the children can play out in a secure grassed area leading out from the play room.

Two MU members play and talk with the children. Often there is an opportunity to chat to visitors. There is no contact with the prisoners. There are two sessions of one hour during the afternoon. Numbers of children vary, not usually exceeding six. The childrens' ages range from pre-school to juniors and there are suitable toys for everyone.

MU members also attend events organised by the Chaplaincy team at the prison, such as Carol services and concerts.

New volunteers for this work are always welcome. There is an urgent need for help on Sunday afternoons. Anyone interested should contact the MU Office at Chester. CRB clearance is required.

Virtual Babies

The aim of the virtual baby program is to help reduce the high instance of un-wanted pregnancies particularly in teenagers and to educate them on the realities of parenthood.

A Virtual baby costs £450. To purchase our first baby we asked our members to contribute £2 each. We called our first baby Grace.

Through one of the Virtual baby computer programmes we let children (Year 10, 14-15 year old boys and girls) explore the realities of looking after a baby.

One of the main messages we deliver is that in life we have to make a series of choices about subjects such as careers, money, education, social life and parenting. MU message is "to make a conscious choice to become a parent when it is the right time for you and your partner".

The interaction and feedback from the children was and continues to be excellent they learn such things as:

• Babies are not just toys to dress up and sit in prams (many believe this).
• Babies are demanding requiring constant care from the parents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, for many years to come!
• Crying is the baby's only way of communicating and can be very hard for the parents.
• Sharing the load through two parents is much more rewarding and responsible for babies and parents alike.
• All life decisions (career, money, social life, becoming a parent etc) are better considered rather than entered into without thought of the real impact.
• The importance of Hygiene with babies and children.
• The risks of drug taking in pregnancy including smoking and drinking.
• Key safety messages such as not leaving babies unattended, on worktops, nears animals such as dogs and cats.
• Babies need constant patient care and love. Every baby is special and unique.

The project has been running with Congleton High School for five years and has been extended to Holmes Chapel High School where it has been running for three years. Funds have been raised from different sources including:

• Congleton Inclosure Trust
• Mayoral funds
• Continued contributions by MU members

There is now a team of seven ladies who share the responsibility of going into the schools with the babies and delivering the messages. The results of the project can only be measured by the extremely positive feedback from teachers and children, so much so that the purchase of more babies became necessary We have subsequently purchased two more babies, Jacob and David.. As one MU member said, "if it stops one unwanted pregnancy it has been worthwhile"! An added bonus for us (the team going into the schools) is meeting and talking to the pupils who continue to show an enthusiastic interest.

Brenda Watson
31st January 2007.

Do you want to be involved in worthwhile projects like these?

Contact Us for more details