The Bakery World Project

By GFS of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pastry and basic business skills for girls, through training sessions

The aim of this new world project is to raise $US20,000 (or $AUS33,400).

The project is to be launched in Lubumbashi in the Diocese of Katanga where a bakery will be opened. A trial training was held there. The training project will also expand into two other dioceses.

The project will start with the recruitment of young girls who will join GFS allowing follow up even after training. These groups of young girls with a group leader will report back to headquarters each month and it is hoped that they will meet at least once a month to share their experiences and help each other.

Side by side there will be training in business for future employment and small cottage industries.

To donate to the World Project use the following bank details:

World Project Account
ANZ Bank
BSB: 016 494
Account number: 185762641
Use your surname as a reference.

WORLD PROJECT REPORT March 2024

On Jan 16, 2024, GFS DRC officially launched the opening of the GFS World Project pastry trade apprenticeship center – INUWA MUSICHANA Project which means empowering girls and Women to be independent and to create jobs for the jobless youth in DRC.

GFS DRC is grateful for the support from Bishop Bertin Surbi for the renovation of the building that was completed in December 2023 by our Anglican Diocese of Katanga for the GFS DRC Project.

Indeed, since the official opening of the INUWA MUSICHANA professional centre, we have proceeded with the training of eleven trainers and at the end of this training we have given each participant the training certificate.

After the training of the trainers, we started the training session of 25 girls. Since the beginning of the training, we have noticed that the students have a taste for learning.

As part of our promotional efforts, we exhibited the items made by our talented students. During the exhibition, we explained our project to the guests and some purchased our products and others placed orders. Their impressions were very positive and encouraging.

We supply our products to the restaurant of the Anglican guest house, wedding cakes to those who rent the Anglican party room and other people on order.

In carrying out this project we have encountered difficulties such as the power cut, delivery of products, the increase in market prices of materials compared to the contribution to the expected price.

Thank you to all who already donated to this project and to those countries which are preparing to donate.

We would like to train more girls and to open Bakery outlets in different dioceses and that will empower more girls and change the lives of many.

Thanks to GFS worldwide, the GFS World Vice President and Mother Estelle for guidance and support.

Ursule Tshama Mbuyi
National President – GFS DRC

GFS Sydney Project

A GFS Street Library at a Church

We have thought for some time to have a GFS Sydney project. This would be something we as GFS Sydney members could participate in and help girls and women in Sydney to know and love our Lord. Just like the GFS World Project and the GFS Australia Project. We thought we should have a project closer to home that will encourage girls and women to share and live their faith. It has taken sometime to think of an idea but at last one of our Board members came up with the idea of a street library at her church.

The plan is to build a “Street Library” (a box to protect books from the weather) and place it securely, out of the way of foot traffic at a suitable site on the church grounds. The street library will be filled with books suitable for children and adults. Some books will be Christian based. The box will have GFS Sydney logo and name on it.

Street library book exchanges function on the honour system; Local people contribute to ensure there are always quality books inside. People can simply reach in and take what interests them; when they have finished reading the book/s, they can return them to the street library, or pass them on to friends. Anyone from the public may donate, swap or take books.

If you take a book (or two) from the street library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the street library full of good choices for the community, the next time you go by the street library bring a few books to share.

GFS Members from that church will be able to check on the street library either when they attend church or at any convenient time.

Project Update

On Saturday, 22nd of July the GFS Sydney Street Library Project came to fruition. The Street Library was installed at St John’s Anglican Church, Beecroft to recognise the long association the church has had with GFS Sydney. St John’s had a GFS branch for 54 years under the guidance of a current Board member, Dawn Ferguson and continues to host the GFS fundraising stall throughout the year.

Ten GFS Sydney members and St John’s senior minister Rev. James Smith attended a small ceremony, during which members heard about the history of GFS at St John’s and the significance of the location chosen for the street library.

After an introduction by GFS Sydney Chairman Jennie Young, a short talk by Rev. Smith and a prayer by GFS Sydney Vice Chairman Lynne Gall, Dawn Ferguson cut the ribbon and declared the street library open.

Following this, attendees filled the street library with books. A wonderful morning tea was had in a local café after the ceremony.

Mission Projects

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

There are Mission projects on 3 levels of GFS.

The GFS Sydney Projects

The Arundel Project

Beecroft Church Street Library

The GFS Australia Projects

Currently GFS Australia have no projects.

The GFS current World Project

2023-2026 The Bakery Project for Girls in the DCR

Here is a list of past GFS World Projects

Project Years	Project Name	Country	Aim
1962 – 1969		British Ghana	To help training of leaders
1962 – 2014	Worldwide Scholarships	Mombassa Kenya	work began in the Taita Hills, Mombasa Kenya under Miss Grace Camm.
1965 – 1969		Korea	To establish GFS in Korea
1969 – 1972		The Philippines	To strengthen GFS in the Philippines
1972 – 1975		Lesotho and Sri Lanka	To strengthen GFS in Lesotho and Sri Lanka
1975 – 1978		Sierra Leone and other West African countries with GFS connections	Leadership training in West African countries with GFS connection
1978 – 1981	World Council & Partnerships		Half to be used for funding World Council and the other half for partnerships between countries
1981- 1984	Chickens for Transkei	Transkei, South Africa	Supporting a cottage industry of chicken rearing amongst GFS members.
1984 – 1987		Kenya	Supporting GFS in Kenya
1987 – 1993		The Philippines	Providing funds to produce a training program for GFS and to implement the training
1993 – 1999		Nigeria	Building a Training Centre for GFS and the Community
1999- 2002		Papua New Guinea	Building a Training Centre and providing training (from GFS Australia) for three years to build up leadership.
2002 – 2005		Kenya	Supporting the growth of GFS in Kenya
2005 – 2008		Zambia	Supporting the skilling of girls and women with purchasing of sewing machines and sewing requirement and introducing a chicken rearing project
2008 – 2011	U-Mul-Ga (A Well Side) “Guitnuis for PNG”	Korea Australia for Papua New Guinea	Supporting Women Refugees from North Korea Writing a three year Sunday School program based on the PNG lectionary and training Sunday School teachers in the use of the program
2011 – 2014	“Makem Strong GFS”	The Solomon Islands	To equip women and girls with the skills necessary to carry out activities in leadership for community and church development
2014 – 2014	World Mission Project Established	Mombassa Kenya	Mombassa Scheme – exchange of students.
2014 – 2017	Assisting Tsunami Survivors Japan	Japan	Providing financial assistance to continue the Japanese GFS Outreach Project to the survivors of the great East Japan tsunami disaster.
2017- 2020	English for Employment Prospects (EEP)	Sri Lanka	To equip girls and women from low income families with English language skills to enhance their employment prospects
2021 – 2023	Skills acquisition for Disadvantaged Young Women	Cameroon	To improve living standards of destitute girls and young women.