A Rocha Brazil’s training workshops: one woman’s response

Netinha has set up a recycling project so that women can generate income for themselves and their families. She lives in Ibiapina, a small town in Ceará, one of Brazil’s poorest regions, where she is a community development worker. Netinha worships each Sunday at her local church and in 2009, participated in an A Rocha training programme equipping Christians to address local social and environmental issues. It prompted her to set up the recycling workshop where 20 women turn empty milk cartons and plastic bottles into beautiful, useful products.

Tamila, one of the workers, told us, ‘I have had a great desire to be involved in craft-making since I was a child, but I never had an opportunity. Having attended a training course at Netinha’s project, I am now making bags, handbags and wallets. I’m always trying to come up with new styles!’

Netinha says, ‘Before coming into contact with A Rocha, I did not believe that I could do something for the environment. It wasn’t easy at the beginning. The local people struggled to understand why the church became involved in environmental issues, but I didn’t allow myself to get discouraged. We can now rejoice over the wonderful things that God has done through us in this town. We thank God for opening many doors and we thank A Rocha Brazil as they enabled and equipped us.’