Thanks Tina

August 26, 2008

Goodbye to Tina

In April 2006 when I first began to plan for the sewing class, I thought I had a teacher but those plans fell through. Panicked somewhat I did not quite know where to turn until my friend Matilda in the Living Hope office asked me if I would consider using Tina Hartzenberg . Tina had a special needs daughter, Janine, and she sewed and sold her items at a nearby shopping center. Since I could not sew and was desperate, but also because Tina was an answer to prayer, I agreed to have her teach that first class. She did so faithfully for that first year. With Janine she would walk to class come rain , shine or Cape Town wind. A white, Afrikaans speaking teacher did have some battles with Xhosa speaking students from Masiphumelele but she made it. It was Tina who worked with those first students to teach them how to sew the bags that have now become a business today. She was so grateful to help. At the end of the year she told me she was leaving because she was moving from the area. I learned that Tina died early this month from a heart attack. I want to pay tribute to her. Tina can be proud of her part in this ministry. Thank you Tina. We will remember you with love for your work. The picture shows Janine, Tina and Khumi.