First Bible Society Fundraising
Event Held in Swaziland
MANZINI,
Swaziland — Freedom Square on Saturday September 25 became the focal
point of the Bible Society’s ‘Seed Money’ new fundraising program.
With a parade through the town, numerous stalls in the square from 8.30am to 4pm, entertainment, an auction and other events, the Bible Society in Swaziland (BSS) launched a major fundraising effort.
Tragic death
Despite the tragic death of the BSS Executive Secretary, George Mashwama, in August – please see World Report October 99, 344/3 – the staff of the BSS and members of the board were determined to make a success of this venture. The fundraising event had been very much Mr Mashwama’s vision for the development of Bible work.
Donations
Companies had been contacted and some had agreed to donate items for the auction and other events. Coca-Cola had printed a special banner for the parade and let the BSS have a kiosk to sell cold drinks throughout the day.
As Saturday dawned there were still things to be done and every member of the BSS staff was busy from very early on. Drum majorettes from Manzini Central High School and drummers from Somjalose High School had to be collected.
Then the parade through the city began – the drum majorettes and drummers were followed by volunteers carrying collection tins, and vehicles displaying the banners. The object of this was to attract people to the Bible Society event.
The Bible Society in Mozambique had sent a van driven by the Marketing Officer, Agastao Zitha, to help out with transport, and this was much appreciated. The killers of the Executive Secretary had destroyed and stripped the BSS vehicle.
Display
After the parade the drum majorettes put on their display, and when they had finished performing it was the turn of the Youth For Christ team to entertain the people. There was food, clothing, cakes, books and other things including Scriptures on sale at the stalls. Competitions with attractive prizes were announced by a disc jockey who acted as the compere for the day, playing Christian music in between the main events.
A 15-year-old boy was overwhelmed when he won a water tank that had been donated by Tums General supplies. Evariste Munyabarame, UBS Southern Africa Regional Program Consultant, who was there in support of the BSS, talked to the young man. “He told me he had decided to sell it and put the money in the bank,” Mr Munyabarame said.
“Even though this fundraising event was not the success the BSS had hoped it would be, the staff and volunteers learned a lot. They acquired experience in organising such events and they now feel more confident about the other events planned,” he added.
Similar fundraising days will be held in November at Nhlangano and in the capital Mbabane in late December.
One other consequence of the BSS vehicle being destroyed is that it is now very difficult to distribute Scriptures. The 5,000 Portions Be the Best You Can Be that are scheduled to be delivered to students in the first two years of secondary school, are waiting in the warehouse ready for distribution.
Mr Munyabarame suggested that the BSS should make contact with the schools expecting delivery, and negotiate with them to come to Bible House to collect the Portions. (WR 346/26 - 12.99) [PHOTOS]