Overseas Outreach
   
The Uganda Link

For over twenty years Holy Cross has had a strong link with Kinkisii in South West Uganda. With the help of another parish, money was raised for the training of the Rev Hamlet Mbabasi. Holy Cross also funded the building of the Holy Cross Training Centre in Nakatari. Nine members of the parish and St Mary's went out to Uganda, in 1997, for the opening of the centre by the Archbishop of Uganda. Sponsorship of pupils at the Kirima Parents Children's school as well as sponsorship of adults at the Christian University in Kampala has been provided for over 15 years by individuals in the benefice. A further project was assisting in the obtaining of Lottery funding for another educational development.

For more information please email: uganda@holycrosschurch.co.uk
   
The Tanzania Link
Church Mission Society (CMS) mission partners, Andrew and Susie Hart (pictured with their children, Grace and Rosie) work in Iringa on a six-year contract extended by three years. Andrew, who has spent all his life in Bearsted, is a veterinary surgeon and works in the rural villages to improve the livestock.
Susie has set up a workshop, Neema Crafts, in Iringa, now employing over a hundred disabled people. They make handicraft products that include paper from elephant dung, beadwork, screen printing, patchwork quilts and weaving. They also run a coffee shop.
Neema Crafts moved into a large purpose built centre in February 2009. The new Neema Crafts restaurant has recently been voted 'The Expat Best Restaurant in the World' by the Telegraph.
In 2010 Susie Hart was very honoured to be voted 'Woman of the Year'(Windows to the World) having been proposed by Sandi Toksvig and Maureen Littman.
Up to date information can be found on the Neema Crafts website where you can also order the crafts that are made by the disabled people:
www.neemacrafts.com.