GEORGE NEWS - A large number of women converged at Gapp Café on Saturday 25 August for the official launch of Wild Mongoo, a new ministry wanting to uplift neglected and marginalised women in George.
Various role players were among the guests who enjoyed a delightful afternoon in the restaurant that was transformed into a world of pink for this very special occasion.
Wild Mongoo was founded by Lindsay Hogan as a platform for like-minded role players with the same vision - to holistically impact vulnerable women in community.
“We believe transformation is a process and therefore our outreach involves physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual programmes to bring hope and change to challenged and destitute women and their families,” said Hogan.
One of the role players of this initiative is Annalie Cable who heads up Azaria, a women’s ministry of Ethnos Movement International (EMI). They offer skills development, teaching women to make jewellery and do sewing. Support is also provided in other ways.
Said Cable, “Women who have had it tough with no future outlook, are laughing again. The workshop is like a community for them. One lady we assisted has been able to get her children back. We also work with deaf women. Some of them are over 45 and have never had a job.”
The women work from a studio in George. Their products are marketed online on the Wild Mongoo website, at local markets and at The Table, a coffee shop and the EMI hub in Market Street.
In addition to the products available online, Azaria’s women also offer a corporate embroidery service. A consignment of shopping bags and oven gloves they embroidered are going to Australia soon.
Among Azaria’s biggest corporate clients are Dotsure and Badger.
From left are Anndonese le Roux, Samantha Sasman, Berenice Sasman, Tracey Grimsel and Laetitia Arndt.
Hogan used to volunteer at a children’s home many years ago and was deeply stirred by this experience. She wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. Through helping with different charities over the years, also for women, she realised that the only sustainable way to support children was to empower their mothers.
This is how her idea for Wild Mongoo was born. Many of her friends joined her on the journey to make her dream a reality.
“I cannot wait to see how many lives we can impact,” said Hogan. She emphasised that 100% of the profits of the sales on the website go back into growing the marketplace and supporting the women who make the products.
Groups of friends relaxed and spent a lovely afternoon together.
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