Ordinary women can do extraordinary things

Sisterhood, the women of LINC church in Salt Rock, have raised in excess of R60 000 for Project Dignity using an unusual fundraising model.

Project 500 is about “using what is in your hands to fulfill what is in your heart”.

This is according to LINC church’s Tessa Jahnig who said the model encouraged women to be creative and have fun while fulfilling their mandate to see justice come to the earth.

In June the women of Sisterhood were issued with a challenge, use your unique set of skills to raise R500 or more (with the end goal being R100 000.)

The money would go to Project Dignity, which allows underprivileged girls five years of uninterrupted schooling by providing them with panty packs which assist them to continue going to school while they are menstruating. Staying in school ensures their grades are significantly higher, giving them confidence and the ability to finish their schooling.

A single panty pack costs R190, and includes a full sex and body awareness class and opportunities for counseling.

Over the past four months the huge range and variety of Project 500 fund raisers has been astonishing. From music soirees, high teas, art classes and cupcake sales to a trail run, cake raffle, Pop Up Shop, a Pilates 100’s challenge, pizza sale and a laser beauty therapist who donated a week’s worth of her profits to Project 500. The Love Your Look evening saw more than 70 ladies enjoying inspiring talks by personal stylist Amanda Ferri, hairstylist Kate Paterson and make-up artist Kirsty Turco and raising R14 000 for Project 500.

There will still be projects taking place throughout October, after which the final sum will be handed over to Project Dignity.

“We believe that ordinary women can do extraordinary things,” said Jahnig.

She said the aim of Sisterhood was to come alongside the men as they partner with Jesus in building the local church.

“We gather, we are equipped in the Word, from which we understand our worth and our identity in Christ and from that place we are mobilized to impact the world.”