Meet Swazi Team Member Andy Pettifor

Andy Pettifor attends Christ Church, Cedar Rapids, and is currently employed by Rockwell Collins as part of their Advanced Technology Center responsible for R&D planning. Born in Scotland, Andy grew up in South Africa and received an engineering degree from the University of the Witwatersrand ("Wits") in Johannesburg. He came to the US in 1966 for graduate study and has since worked for the National Science Foundation, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Rockwell (both in California and Cedar Rapids). He and his wife Diane, who was born in Jo'burg, were married in 1966 in Evanston, Illinois, and have two children.

Andy says, "I see this mission as one of several opportunities that will help me discern the themes for the next stage of my life. Also, there is still a bit of Africa in my blood, and it will be exciting to be able to return and contribute in a small way to a great need. This mission is a concrete (no pun intended) way to build relationships at a personal level among two communities, each of which has unique and distinct gifts and resources to share with the other. This does not easily happen at the NGO or international aid program level, and I hope that this will not just be a one time project but will lead to a lasting relationship between our two communities that will strengthen both of them."

Thank you, Andy, for all you have done as part of the Christ Church SwaziCompanions to make this trip possible, and blessings to you on your journey.

Photo: To come