One on one with Msizi Mwale

Q: Give a brief outline of your background?
A: I come from a family of 7. I am number 5. My family originates from Zambia and were part of the Chewa tribe. My family moved from Zambia to Zimbabwe when my father was a young man. I now stay in the Magobeni area near Nduna Primary school. I stay with my mum, my young sister and 7 nephews and nieces. My father died in 2002.

Q: How did you hear about Ebenezer?
A: I heard about Ebenezer from my brother who lives in Bulawayo. I filled in forms and attended a Selection Camp. I enjoyed it very much especially when Shelton Taguma shared about the Dream family and the future.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge since coming to Ebenezer?
A: The greatest challenge has been the water shortage. I collect water from the reservoir in containers and use a wheel barrow to carry the water to my field. Now I have a drip irrigation kit which is really helpful.

Q: What has been your greatest joy in being at Ebenezer?
A: My greatest joy has been getting to know other apprentices, being able to sing with them and seeing my church grow.

Q: Who has been your role model?
A: Shelton Taguma has been the greatest influence in my life and my mentor. He expresses himself clearly and he helped me grow in Christ. He has also shared about HIV/AIDS.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years time:
A: In 5 years, I will own 2 hectares of land, employ 5 people and I’ll be married. I would like to train other young people with the skills I have gained.

May God bless you as you continue to be a light at Ebenezer and in your community.

Interviewed by Molly Manhanga

Interview with Manual Ncube

Q: Give a brief outline of your background?
A: I come from Dewe village under Dema ward 17. It is approximately a 4 hour walk from my home to Ebenezer. I live with my aunt as both my parents have passed on. We are 8 in my family and I am the 5th born.

Q: How did you hear about Ebenezer?
A: I heard about Ebenezer from the “Headman” in my area. A “Headman” is a figure of authority within a local community. I then collected forms from Natisa Growth Point. A growth point is the equivalent to a small business centre. Natisa Growth Point is approximately 14km from Ebenezer. I attended the Selection Camp and enjoyed the games and team dynamics. The team leaders were very friendly and I made some new friends.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge since coming to Ebenezer?
A: Water, or should I say the water running out for long periods of time and the bush buck destroying some of my crops. The water is much better now since we use an electric pump and I have made a fence which prevents the animals from destroying my crops.

Q: What has been your greatest joy in being at Ebenezer?
A: The spiritual lessons with Stephen Manhanga have been enjoyable. I have learnt more about God, about how to interact with others and how to treat other people. I have also enjoyed learning more about farming.

Q: You are the oldest apprentice here at Ebenezer. How does that make you feel?
A: I feel that I am chosen by God but at the same time I find it difficult in such an institution because I feel I’m expected to know so much more than others. If I fail in any area, I feel as though I’m viewed as being stubborn or just being difficult.

Q: Some of your close friends at Ebenezer had to leave due to different circumstances. How did that make you feel?
A: I felt sorry for them because of their disobedience and lack of self-control. The lesson I learnt from that is to trust myself, stick to the truth of the word of word and to bring my body under subjection.

Q: What type of people do you enjoy being with?
A: I like being with people who advise me on life issues, equip or empower me to further myself and my business but, I really enjoy being with people who help me grow in Christ.

Q: What advise would you give to the younger apprentices?
A: To respect themselves and to be focused on why they are at Ebenezer. The times we are living in are tough, especially with HIV/AIDS.

Q: Great Manual. Who has been your role model?
A: My role model is God because He gives me opportunities and the life I have is because of Him. I felt this so much when I lost my parents. I know that with God, nothing is impossible.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years time?
A: In 5 years time, I see myself as a businessman, equipping my community with life skills and spreading the word of God.

Manual attending to his tomato crop

May God bless you as you continue to be a light at Ebenezer and in your community.

Interviewed by Molly Manhanga

Most Significant Change

Stephen Manhanga and some apprentices installing the drip kits at Ebenezer

Ebenezer officially opened it doors on 15 August 2007. From then – up to now – what has been the most significant change?

Many acronyms are being used today as we communicate with people in different organizations, educational levels, different communities and so on. One such acronym is MSC – Most Significant Change. MSC involves the apprentices telling their story. They provide information and data on how effective the Centre is. The key with MSC is that it is aimed at capturing the MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

Key questions then are:
a) Looking back
b) Timeframe in looking back and this is very specific i.e. last week, last month, last 3 months etc.
c) Domains of change. This can be rather “fuzzy” but we tailor it to what we want.

Why Most Significant Change?
a) It identifies both positive and negative change
b) It identifies the values that prevail at Ebenezer
c) Focuses on learning
d) Encourages analysis
e) It delivers a rich picture of what is happening rather than an over simplified one.

I asked the apprentices what has been the most significant change at Ebenezer in the last 3 months?

Unanimously, the water supply has been the most significant change at Ebenezer in the last 3 months. The supply has been much more regular and with the installation of drip kits, the apprentices feel they can attend to other business while their plants are being “watered.”

Drip kit installed

Stay tuned for next months MSC at Ebenezer!!!!!!

Adapted by Molly Manhanga