End of Year exams in progress

 

This week, the 1st and 2nd year apprentices wrote their end of year exam.
Spiritual was set and marked by Stephen Manhanga and Simangaliso Ndlovu.
Business was set and marked by Renee Cunningham and Pretty Ndlovu.
Agriculture was set and marked by Skha Mtshalaga.

The apprentices wrote basic English and Maths. We'll see how they faired next week once the papers are marked.......

 

By Molly Manhanga

 

Meet the first year Appy's - Sininisethu Sibanda

Sininisethu Sibanda

I am 21 years old and I live with my parents in Kezi. I have 5 brothers and 4 sisters. I am the third born in our family. I attend New Life for All Church. I went to Shashane High School in Kezi up to form 3. I didn't complete my Education because of having no money for school and exam fees.
I enjoy being at Ebenezer and my favourite meal is sadza and beef. I enjoy swimming. I am busy planting butternut and maize at Ebenezer. There are many plots that we are doing but we are working in team. I have one friend.

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st year Appy's - Sibekile Moyo

Sibekile Moyo

I am 17 years old and I come from Gqalaza. I live with my parents. I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters. I am the last born. I attended a different High School before going to Simbumbumbi Secondary School from form 2 - 4. I didn't write my 'O' levels due to non payment of fees.

I enjoy Ebenezer and currently I am planting a 30m x 30m plot of tomatoes. My favourite food is sadza and beans. I have one friend so far and I attend United Pentecostal Church. 

By Molly Manhanga



Meet the 1st year appy's - Flometre Gumbo

Flometre Gumbo

Background:
I am 18 years old and I come from Tsholotsho. I have 2 brothers and a sister and I am the first born. I live with my grandmother as my parents live in Joburg - since December 2008.

Life at Ebenezer:
I enjoy being at Ebenezer. My favourite meal is rice and chicken. I attend New Life for All church and I don't play any sport. I am busy planting tomatoes on my 30m x 30m field. I have made new friends whilst at Ebenezer.

 

By Molly Manhanga

 



Ebenezer Staff office being built...

 

 

 

 

The Ebenezer team office is being built at the moment.
It should look great when completed!


Molly Manhanga

Cabbages at Ebenezer

 

 

 

Cabbage time again! Some of the cabbages have done well at Ebenezer while with others, the cabbage heads are not as big as they could have been and this is mainly due to water stress (although the rains now have been a welcome delight - not for those harvesting the wheat!) and lack of or inadequate fertilisation. Another cause could be pests and disease.

 

The onions seem to be coming along nicely.

 

 

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st year Appy's - Lwazilwenkosi Dube

Lwazi Dube

Background:
I come from Mapisa. I live with my parents. I'm the first born child. I have 2 young brothers and 2 young sister. I am 17 years old. I attended Mangala Primary School before going to Zamanyoni Secondary School. I only went as far as form two because there was no money for school fees.

Life at Ebenezer:
I'm increasing my farming knowledge by being at Ebenezer. I like it but I haven't made any friends yet, just acquantainces. I like eating sadza and cabbage and I enjoy playing football.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
I see myself farming in Mapisa. I don't think I'll be married by then.


Let's hope Lwazi's 5 year plan works out as he acquires agricultural, business and spiritual knowledge at Ebenezer.

 

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st year appy's - Forget Tshuma

Forget Tshuma

Background:
I live at St Joseph's in Kezi. I live there with my grandparents. My parents are in South Africa and have been there since 2007. I am 19 years old. I am an only child. I attended St Joseph's High School and finished my form 4. I found the 'O' level exams very difficult.

Life at Ebenezer:
Life at Ebenezer is okay. i'm looking after chickens and harvesting wheat. My favourite food is sadza and matemba (small dried fish). i enjoy playing volleyball and \i've made a good friend at Ebenezer.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
I'm planning on starting a farming business doing chickens and vegetables.


Let's hope Forget learns many new skills during his 2 year stay at Ebenezer. 

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st year appy's - Perfect Moyo

Perfect Moyo

Background:
I come from Mablauwuni village and I live with my parents. I have an older sister and 4 younger brothers. I am 18 years old. I went to Nduna Primary School. I didn't go to High School because of the shortage of money.

Life at Ebenezer:
I am looking after chickens at the moment. I like Ebenezer. My favourite meal is rice and chicken and I enjoy playing soccer.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
I don't have a plan yet. I'm still thinking about it.


I really hope you enjoy your stay at Ebenezer and grow in many areas of your life.

Molly Manhanga



Mealie meal delivery at Ebenezer

 

The gentleman delivering 50kg bags of mealie meal at the Ebenezer kitchen did so with joy......

Molly Manhanga



Meet the 1st year Appy's - Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Background:
I am 19 years old. I come from Silozwe and I live with my grandmother. My mother lives in South Africa and my dad passed away. I attended Silozwe High School up to form 3. I didn't complete my schooling because there was no money for school fees. i have one younger brother.

Life at Ebenezer:
I've planted garlic in a 30m x 30m plot and onions in a 30m x 30m plot. They are growing really well. i enjoy Spiritual lessons with Stephen Manhanga and English with Mrs Nyamayaro. My favourite food is rice and chicken. I also enjoy playing soccer.

In 5 years time......
I see myself farming at my home in Silozwe. There is water at my home in Silozwe.


Thank you Nhlanhla. Enjoy your stay at Ebenezer....

By Molly Manhanga  

Update on Simangaliso Ndlovu

Simanga Ndlovu

It was really nice catching up with Simanga. This is what she is currently doing:

1. Assisting Stephen Manhanga teach Spiritual lessons. Steve teaches in the mornings while Simanga teaches in the afternoons from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
2. She also looks after 10,000 chickens. She feels that looking after so many chickens has been difficult because of the early mornings and late evenings. Despite that they are hitting their targets i.e. the weights of the chickens are good.
3. The 1st years that Simanga oversees are busy harvesting wheat at the moment.
4. Simanga attends Crossroads Community Church and is involved with Kidz Alive. She finds it interesting and loves playing with the children.

By Molly Manhanga

 



 

Wheat being threshed at Ebenezer

Wheat looking good

Belt of brown wheat

Apprentices threshing the wheat. Hard work!



Bucket of wheat



By Molly Manhanga

 

....Update on Mkhululi & Caroline Ncube....

Mkhululi and Caroline are proud parents of baby Eveline nodumo Ncube who was born on Saturday 29th September 2012 at Gwanda Hospital.

Congratulations to the Ncube's.....

The 3D's are moving on......

Left to right (Vuyo, Victoria, Kathleen, Maria and Jolene
 

After spending 6 weeks at Ebenezer, the 3D's ended their stay on a high by organising "Ebenezer's Got Talent" which was held on Monday evening. The apprentices signed up to dance, sing, do drama's, poems and so on (An article will follow shortly).

The 3D's not only built genuine friendships with the apprentices and discipled them, they also helped in the fields, wrote signs on the houses, started Art and Music club etc.

Their time at Ebenezer was not only a learning time but one of growth as well. They were encouraged to pray more.

We wish them well on their journey and as they serve in different communities.

By Molly Manhanga

 

  

Meet the 1st Year Appy's - Fortune Mudimba

Fortune Mudimba

Background
I come from Binga. I have 1 sister and 2 brothers. I am the first born in our family. Both my parents have passed away. I am 17 years old turning 18. I went to Lusulu High School and finished in Form 2 because there was no money for fees.

Life at Ebenezer
I enjoy Ebenezer. I'm learning how to start a business and how to farm. I'm in the Ndlovu family and I like it. I'm working in the fields getting ready to plant tomatoes and build chicken houses. I go to New Life for All Church.

Learnt so far.....
I enjoy Spiritual. I've learnt how to build a chicken house. I'm hoping to improve my life after Ebenezer.

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st Year Appy's - Melani Khumalo

Melani Khumalo

Background
I am 18 years old. I come from Inkayi in Komayanga village. We are 4 siblings and I'm the last born. I have 2 sisters and one brother. I went to Komayanga Primary School before going to Skopo Adventist Mission where I finished form 2. I returned to Komanyanga to do my 'O' levels but I finished after form 3. We didn't have the money for me to finish.

Life at Ebenezer
I am building chicken houses and we are at roof level. I like it at Ebenezer and I also like the food. My favourite meal is sadza and chunks. I'm in the Ndlovu family and I enjoy it. I've made many friends. I attend New Life for All Church.

Learnt so far
I've learnt that Joseph's brothers didn't like him. I enjoy Spiritual so much. I've also learnt how to build chicken houses.

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet the 1st Year Appy's - Testimony Siziba

Testimony Siziba

Background
I'm the last born in my family. We are 3 siblings. I come from Kensington in Bulawayo and I'm 17 years old. My 2 brothers are older than me. Both my parents are still alive. I did my secondary education at Foundation College up to form 3. I then studied at Hlanganani High School where I did my form 4. I did not write my 'O' levels due to financial problems.


Life at Ebenezer
I enjoy everything. I'm in the Ndlovu family and I like it. I'm busy preparing to plant carrots, tomatoes and maize. I attend the United Pentecostal Church. I enjoy food. I like to play soccer and volleyball. We had a soccer match against Magobeni at Nduna Primary School and we won 1 - 0. I've made lots of friends but my close friend is Review Ncube. He also attends Ebenezer.


Learnt to Date
I've learnt how to prepare plots for crops and how to build chicken houses. I like Spiritual lessons. I know how to pray and to preach.

By Molly Manhanga

 



Update on George Mlilo

George Mlilo

George is now employed by Beyond Belief since 1 February 2012. He looks after farmers in Silozwe, Mapane, Filabusi (2 sites), Silalatshani, Zhulube, Bezha in the Esigodini area and ward 15 in Matobo - particularly Ntunjambila.

George has 7 Field Officers working with him - Mkhululi, Vusani, Earnest, Mediator, Cuthbert, Nontobeko and Prosper Moyo - all former Ebenezer apprentices. They are earmarking 300 farmers by year end although they are still in the mobilising stage.

George is enjoying what he is doing although there are some challenging parts. He says the work is kinda like what he used to do before joining Ebenezer.

We wish him well and hope he continues to make a difference in the farmers lives.

 

 

By Molly Manhanga

 



Meet Kathleen Gaisford - 3D

Kathleen Gaisford

It was wonderful chatting to Kathleen Gaisford and getting to know her better. The interesting thing is that in 2005 - 2006, I worked with Kathleens grandmother in Harare and know her granddad too - Fred and Denise Gaisford, who are now based in Swindon, U.K. What a small world! I was also impressed listening to Kathleen recite Proverbs 31 (with a little bit of help...)


M.M: Tell me briefly about your background.
K.G: I was born in Joburg, South Africa and lived there until I was two. We then moved to Concession (farming area in Mashonaland Central)in Zimbabwe until I was 12 years old before moving to Griffith, Australia. I have an older brother. I am 21 years old.  My parents both work in agriculture: my dad is a manager and my mum is a quality controller. My brother is in the army.


M.M: Which church do you attend?
K.G: Griffith Baptist Church led by Kevin Webb.


M.M: That is the same church that Victoria attends. Were you friends back in Australia?
K.G: Victoria and I grew up together and attend the same church. Yes, we are still friends.


M.M: Great! How have you found life at Ebenezer?
K.G: We have served at Ebenezer now for almost a month or so. I like it because it makes me feel at home - being back in Zimbabwe. I can see the positive side of things again because when we left Zimbabwe, there were many negatives. I've also realised how good I have it in Australia. A challenge for me is that I like keeping busy and at Ebenezer, we seem to be busy from morning to evening, it's just that we don't see the immediate results. Something like farming!


M.M: What's your favourite quote?
K.G: It's not a quote but something I live my life by. "Live each moment doing whatever you want. People will remember you by the 'famous' things you do."


M.M: What do you do to relax?
K.G: I read, shop and spend time with my friends.


M.M: Whats your favourite food?
K.G: Ice-cream, milk chocolate, chinese food, cake and milk in a packet. Those are really nice!


M.M: Who has influenced you the most over the last 6 months?
K.G: I read a book called "I kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris. That spoke to me alot and I'm falling in love with the BibLe all over again.


M.M: Fantastic. What are you hoping to gain personally during your time at Ebenezer?
K.G: My love for Africa and coming back in the future and seeing Ebenezer succeed. I also don't want to be fearful of God's plan for my life.


M.M: Thank you so much Kathleen. Be blessed as you serve at Ebenezer.

By Molly Manhanga