Newsletter #11 - 12 April, 2004

Hi there,

Just wanting to wish you all a Happy Easter from Egypt. Today is a national public holiday called 'Sham El Nessim', or 'Smell the Flowers' day, which is the Monday after the Coptic Easter weekend. So, smell a flower today, or whenever you receive this.

Also, some updates about Tukul Crafts. We have hired a new manager to start tomorrow. Aban Ajack is a Sudanese refugee who has been 'resettled' to Egypt, thus has legitimate rights to remain here as a refugee. He speaks very good English & Arabic and useful previous experience. As we're returning to Sydney for my brother's wedding in less than two weeks, there is a lot to hand over before I leave.

Finally, after a lengthy approval process due to many layers of authority, the bishop agreed to us moving our workshop to the cathedral compound. I have the helpful support of an expatriate on our 'site committee' who will ensure the necessary electrical and plumbing renovations will occur in time to move out of the old premises.

The shop that I previously thought we would have to move out from is not being sold, ... yet. While I hope that the church itself will buy the building, nothing is certain.

The tuberculosis clinic Joanna helps with has recently had some positive signs of support in the provision of drugs, both from a government hospital in Cairo and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Keep praying that this isn't a one off event, but there will be plenty of drugs to distribute.

After our return to Cairo in mid May I will only be working with Tukul Crafts part time and doing other internet work for the diocese. Joanna is hoping to get involved more in the cleaning course for refugees hoping to get domestic work in Cairo.

We hope your Easter was a nice long weekend and was a chance to remember not just the Passion, but the resurrection. (We're yet to see the movie even though it is out here, but some have told us that, like most cases, the book is better than the movie.)

Thanks,
Josh'n'Jo

Email me - joshua at kuswadi dot com