An afternoon like no other! Taússy Daniel, in addition to clothes, sewed smiles at the Arco Íris Ministry in Maputo.
It was in the middle of the rain that a dedicated team, dressed to the nines in T-shirts bearing the 'Natal da Tau' logo, moved everything: chairs, tables, crockery, columns, cloths, plates, among other objects that gave new life to the basketball pavilion.
After all, everyone had the same goal: to provide a pleasant afternoon for all the children, with lunch and presents, as well as musical entertainment from young musicians such as DeHermes, Djimeta and Mark Exodus.
"It was a way of thanking God for the blessings I've had this year, so I chose the orphan children," explains Taússy Daniel.
As a matter of fact, Natal da Tau, a project inspired by the designer's name, only took its first steps this Tuesday, but as she herself confirms, it's intended to tour various childcare centres from the celebration of Children's Day onwards.
"I'd like to cover almost all the orphanages, but I decided to start on my own to set an example, but next year I'm going to get companies to help me provide a Christmas or Children's Day," she explains, adding that, in the end, it's just a presentation of what she'd like to do in 2024.
On this solidarity trip to the Arco Íris Ministry, Taússy took various types of toys and gifts for the little ones, and school supplies.
However, the artist and social activist points out that the most important thing about this day, apart from getting to know the centre, is to identify all the activities they have in order to look for the right partnerships to meet real needs.
In addition, as a fashion designer, Táussy wants to help the Arco Íris Ministry's sewing school by training the students in a few tricks to improve their sewing skills.
"We can teach them how to make gowns for educators, doctors and, if possible, through a partnership with government bodies, we can create hospital sheets, doctors' gowns, police uniforms, among others, so that we can benefit our community instead of always ordering from outside," she suggests.
Among the students graduating from the sewing school are the girls Fátima and Dorca. For the two students, Taússy Daniel's visit is welcome and a great privilege, as it's an opportunity to ask for more explanations about sewing so that they can have a better grasp of the area.
As well as clothes, the course includes handicraft creations such as earrings, mascots, pescottos, shamrocks, among other products.
According to Augusto Mandlate, director of operations at Arco Íris Ministries, a simple gesture of love can change someone's situation and now, seeing this movement created by Taússy Daniel, "we really are sure that many changes happen with small gestures".
"These children live with us, but when someone else comes along and brings something, it makes all the difference," says Mandlate, emphasising that the main importance of an encounter like this is not in material goods, but in receiving love and having interaction with another person.
The Arco Iris Ministry cares for 130 children, ranging from orphans to those with relatives but who are experiencing difficulties, in different areas: the boarding school, the clinic, the administrative department, the department for reintegrating children into their families, the school and the church. All these sectors fulfil a single objective: to educate and guide children towards the future.
