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About Us Relief & Development Projects Foreign Missions |
Ekuthuleni Carpentry Projects Centre: - Furniture & Training For LifeIntroduction & Background From the humble beginnings this training centre has grown into a well-established Christian community organization. Today various projects are taking place in the form of a training unit, a production workshop established 1997, a kiosk 2000 and gardening. Ekuthuleni is among more than 30 projects that are spearheaded by Agape Missions Church in Zimbabwe . Its approach to training is in line with biblical Christian principles. Ekuthuleni is structured to have a council, management board, and an advisory board. The management board deals with matters relating to the general administration of the trust affairs. The project is however managed on a day to day by project trainers. "Ukuthuleni", also aims at assisting and equipping young people to become self-sufficient. They are encouraged to return to their home areas and be involved in the community by establishing their own business, be involved in the church and other wider community issues. Ekuthuleni strives to be a place where people can benefit from their "Training for Life", then go out and share this knowledge with others. How it all started [Ms. Helga Landsman]: God brought people together in an amazing way. In 1998 a friend from my sports club wanted to spend summer in Zimbabwe but didn't want to travel alone. We came together for five weeks and stayed with the Moyo family, mainly at Nkayi. At that time I was doing my carpentry training, Pastor Moyo shared his vision of a farm where young people could live together and learn a skill. He asked whether I would be interested to return and assist in getting the training programme started. I agreed thinking that it would take a long time for the property to be bought. (I must say at this point that I struggled with the thought of having to live in such a flat and dusty country eating weird things like sadza and matemba or even macimbi!) At the end of 1990 Pastor Moyo surprised me with a phone call saying " Hallo, Helga we bought a farm when can you come and start the carpentry project." I couldn't really say no, but at the same time I was thinking about a change anyway and so I managed to take out a year from the company I used to work for and I arrived in Zimbabwe in May 1991. It was agreed that I should live with the Moyos in hillside and commute to Gum tree on the how mine bus. I use to do a lot with Edmos the gardener/ driver who later became one of the first trustees of the Ekuthuleni Christian community trust. We even hitch hiked to Botswana to buy tools. After the first year in Zimbabwe my attitude and perspective had drastically changed, I felt quite at home, managed to eat Sadza and had discovered the beauty of the Matopo "mountains" and we decided to apply for a two year work permit (this I kept on extending until 2000 when I became a permanent resident!!) My attitude " Christian things" which at first didn't interest me much, had also changed and I became a Christian in 1993, even though I cant pinpoint the date, I know that: he had begun a good work in my life and I know that I want Him to definitely bring it to completion as well. In 1995 some friends from Germany put together enough money to buy the first Eku vehicle a small Suzuki 125 TS that served us faithfully until we sold it to one of our Ex-students in 2002. I moved to Gum tree permanently in 1996. Aims and objectives:
Administrative Aspects: Duration: 2 years (basic training) up to 2 years further experience in production unit. The maximum number of students enrolled in every intake is eight. Administered by Ekuthuleni Board/Trustees meetings quarterly. Contributions:
So far trained in 2 year courses = 26 students. 90% of Ekuthuleni graduates are involved in Christian ministry.
3 STEP APPROACH TO START SMALL SCALE BUSINESS VENTURES The Ekuthuleni Carpentry Project was started in 1991 and offers skills training courses for up to 8 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The course takes 2 years. Students live and work at Ekuthuleni (Gumtree). Besides practical and theoretical lessons in carpentry students are exposed to a variety of other subjects such as welding, computer basics, solar cooking, First Aid, Business training, sewing, Roofing and fitting ceilings. The production of small items which are sold at local Art and Craft Fairs gives students the opportunity to experience customer contact and earn some money which they are encouraged to invest in their own tools. After the training course there is the option to stay on at Ekuthuleni and operate a business in the Production Unit, which gives carpenters the opportunity to apply and extend their skills through practical experience. A Production Supervisor gives assistance and business advise. As third step into independence Ekuthuleni offers further follow up visits and business offers further follow up visits and business advice and a tool hire / loan scheme. CONTACT DETAILS Ekuthuleni Carpentry Project Tel: +263 (0) 9 28 01 83 E-mail: heliga@arachnid.co.zw Other Projects:
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"Ekuthuleni" means "Peaceful place" in the local language Ndebele. The Ekuthuleni Carpentry Project was started in 1991 as the church realized the growing need for practical skills training especially for young people in the rural areas. Through God's gracious provision a 5 acre plot 20km outside of Bulawayo was bought and set up as the Ekuthuleni Christian Community Trust- a place where practical and spiritual learning in a peaceful environment could be offered to the underprivileged.
This is a training unit which enrolls students from different areas to equip them with skills in carpentry. They usually enroll about ten students and less, this is a recommended class because it is manageable. The duration of this course is two years. After the training they are attached in the Production Unit which is also at Ekuthuleni.