A Hunger for Knowledge

from Elliott
It was amazing! We had a registration day today for our third session of computer training. Four classes will be offered- two introductory and two levels of Word. When I arrived at 11:00 to set up for the Registration which was to begin at 12pm there were already 42 people in line!

We only have four computers so to offer a good learning environment we have had to limit classes to 16 learners. Yes, they have to take turns during the class period! But they are very much willing to do so...just so they can have an opportunity to be in the class.

I had been concerned because in previous sessions the intro class was offered without charge and now we are charging a modest R25 (~$3) fee to help defray the cost of materials and build a reserve for computer repairs and supplies.

By 1:30 all 64 spots were taken and they was a list of alternates. It is difficult to turn people away or tell them they have to wait until the next session. They clearly see personal value in the knowledge that they can gain. And if it increases there potential for employment then we will have made a good investment. And in the meantime, we can share the Gospel in the class devotion each week! That makes it all worthwhile!

A Unique Twist on Veg Marketing

from Elliott
Our garden helpers came to us with a great idea. While we have been selling produce to grocers and restaurants in town they thought people in the community around the ministry site would want to buy some also. Knowing that we had a 'retail' site with excellent 'visibility' and high 'walk by' traffic at the community water tap, the ladies set about selling spinach and cabbage. I suggested that we call it a 'Mobile' Tuck Shop after the small community shops.

We had been wrapping the bunches of spinach with elastics which is what they call a rubber band. The first day of operation though they got started early and we were not there with the elastics so they came up with a good local alternative. They used local grasses to tie a raffia like ribbon around the leaves. Quite an attractive presentation!

They thought they had simply added a cost free solution to holding spinach together. I explained to them that in America you could charge extra for something so artistic yet functional!

Community Entreprenuers

from Elliott
Cason got a remote control boat for his birthday so we headed to the closest calm water we knew of - the estuary behind the town beach. There are a group of ladies that sell tourist items, fruits and veg as well as flip flops and 'crocs' . Cason was going to need a pair of new sandals for a rafting trip he is going on at a future Mission Society Gathering.

Katherine has befriended with a number of the ladies there so that is where they headed to look for the shoes. These entrepreneurs work long hours for very limited economic opportunity but they are very friendly. Each vendor has many of the same items and in our little town there are a limited number of potential customers. In many cultures that would breed intense competition and perhaps feuding.

Cason tried on a pair and then another but they did not have the color he wanted in the one that fit. Instead of pushing the color that she did have she immediately went to the 'competition' to see what they could work out. With a smile the two made a trade and Cason paid her the 70 rand she requested. No feuding, bickering or manipulating the customer - just working together to meet the need.

Often we see that here - a different perspective on community and being an entrepreneur!