Northern Division's Women's Ministries Project bears digital fruit
The Salvation Army Women's Ministries in each division will be choosing what project to fundraise for in 2020. Annette Haimes shares with us the continued success of Northern Division's fundraising project for South Africa from 2018.
The Salvation Army Women's Ministries groups around New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa complete a divisional and territorial project, alternating yearly. In 2019, WM have been fundraising territorially for Together We Build, rebuilding three officers' homes destroyed in the Central Sulawesi earthquake. In 2020, each of our divisions will choose their own fundraising project.
Divisional Director for Women's Ministries Major Liz Gainsford and Annette Haimes celebrate The Salvation Army Northern Division's fundraising in 2018 bearing fruit in South Africa today.
Northern Division Women's Ministries' digital endeavour for South Africa
Annette tells us that the Northern Division fundraised to upgrade computers in the library of The Salvation Army South Africa Territory's College for Officer Training (CFOT). New Zealander Major Garth Stevenson is the Senior Training Officer at CFOT, and Major Suzanne Stevenson serves as The Salvation Army South Africa's Territorial Extension Training Officer.
The women of Northern raised a total of $5,906.50 for the project, and Annette says 'We have recently received advice from Major Garth Stevenson that the project has now been completed and below is a detailed account of how this money was spent'. This involved the installation of new computers, software and access to resources in the newly refurbished library.
Streamlining learning for cadets and staff
'All at CFOT, but especially the cadets who use them, are very grateful for the modernisation and extra capacity of the new equipment. Lieutenants who were at CFOT for a five year review were also able to enjoy the improvements and spoke very favourably of what is now in place. They may even have expressed a little jealousy of those experiencing the fruit of Northern Division Women's Ministries generosity, on a more extended basis!'
The fundraising of The Salvation Army Northern Division's Women's Ministries meant six computers could be purchased, with modern software and networking program O365. Major Garth says this addition of software and technology will mean that 'assignment writing and resource development are now so much easier for our cadets'.
Major Garth says 'All at CFOT, but especially the cadets who use them, are very grateful for the modernisation and extra capacity of the new equipment. Lieutenants who were at CFOT for a five year review were also able to enjoy the improvements and spoke very favourably of what is now in place. They may even have expressed a little jealousy of those experiencing the fruit of Northern Division Women's Ministries generosity, on a more extended basis!'
The refurbishment has also included classifying books using Dewey Decimal Classification, improved WiFi and wider access to an updated online library catalogue. To maintain this new streamlined approach, Garth tells us that a 'Library Cadet' has been installed, and two soldiers from a local Corps with Library and/or Records Management qualifications have been enlisted to help. Garth says that 'it is our hope that they will provide continuity to keep the catalogue up-to-date, as cadets and CFOT staff move on.'
Are you feeling inspired for your Divisional Project?
'Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.' - Luke 8:1-4
Annette celebrates the fruit of their divisional fundraising, saying 'I am sure you will agree with me that the funds raised for this project have been put to great use and will benefit many people over the years ahead'. The Salvation Army Women's Ministries is a powerhouse of change and carries on the tradition of the women of the Bible who funded Jesus' mission here on earth (Luke 8:1-4).
We can't wait to hear what your Division decides to undertake for their 2020 Women's Ministries project, and we support you! God bless you each.
If you think you would like to collaborate on a resource to help with your fundraising project, please contact our Territorial Women's Ministries Social Media Specialist Rosy Keane: Rosy.Keane@salvationarmy.org.nz