An
important part of the philosophy behind the partnership between Help
Ministries Project and its supporters is that of helping the Chibobo
Community to become more self sufficient. One way of doing this is
through helping the community to acquire new skills that will benefit
the community. This is done in 2 main ways – through the
access to formal training courses, either on site or at specialist
training institutions, and through imparting existing skills and
knowledge from visitors to Chibobo, particularly from Overnewton
Anglican Community College and St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
NURSE
& TEACHER TRAINING
Since
2005 a number of
teachers and nurses have been trained through funding provided by
Overnewton Anglican Community College. The teachers completed a 2 year
course at Malcolm Moffat Teacher Training College in nearby Serenje,
whilst the nurses needed to travel further afield to receive their
training.The person to receive training enter into a contract with Help
Ministries Project that requires them to return to the Chibobo
Community to work locally (if possible) to help their fellow citizens.
Pride
Kalunga, trained
through sponsorship from the VIEU.
Nancy
Chitafu (right) was
trained as a nurse. It is hoped that she & others can work
locally, especially in the Chibobo Medical Clinic.
Pelekamoya
Chibuye
(right photo) was trained with funds provided by Overnewton
College. He was thankful for the opportunity that he was given. He
stated “I thank Overnewton for what they have done to me
– they have made me a teacher! I am of a quality and
I’m productive to the nation, to the community, and to my
family and in the work of Jesus Christ.”
This
video message from
Pride & Pelekamoya talks
about the opportunity that they have
been given.
CERTIFICATION
FOR THE ORPHANAGE CARERS
In
mid-2009 the carers from the Chibobo & Serenje
orphanages undertook a 5 day training course, run by the Zambian
Ministry of Community & Development.
They are pictured with their Certificates of Attendance, showing
successful completion of the course
The
Director of HMP, Mr Staivous
Mulumba wrote,
“Therefore, we thank the sponsors for implementing this
programme
because without funds we would have not been able to train our carers.
Your help will actually improve the caring for the orphans at the
Orphanage but also in the community as well, since the trained carers
will not only care for orphans who are at the Orphanage but
they
were instructed to also care for non border Orphans in the community.
We shall see some new developments of including Orphans who are non
borders to come up with other programmes for helping them. This also
has motivated the carers which will have the result of them working
hard with self supervision. Again may I thank all who contributed to
this programme to make it to happen, may our good Lord grant you
more.”
MECHANICS TRAINING
Part
of the Mechanics for
Serenje & Chibobo project (see separate section in the Projects
area) 2 local men are being trained as accredited mechanics at
Mechanics for Africa (MFAZ) in Ndola. Acceptance into MFAZ is highly
sought after, and trainees receive life skills as well as their
technical skills. The mechanics are contracted to return to Chibobo and
Serenje to assist in the maintenance of vehicles and equipment at local
orphanages, and will eventually work in a commercial workshop, run by a
local committee, in Serenje. This will allow them a productive way to
earn a living and contribute to the community.
John
Chilangwa (centre), who finished his training in
2010, with the Mechanics team
Bonaventure
Kalunga commenced training at MFAZ in
January 2010.
Download
a powerpoint presentation on
Skills training in the Chibobo Community here.
IMPARTING
SKILLS
CONSTRUCTION
OF THE PLAYGROUNDS
Overnewton
Anglican Community
College and St. Mary’s Anglican Church have been involved in
the
construction of playgrounds at the HMP Orphanage and at Chibobo Basic
Schools. Whilst providing much needed facilities for the children, it
allowed local men to be trained in building skills and in the safe use
of a range of power tools. Many of these tools, provided by HMP
supporters, were new to the Chibobo community. The construction of the
Basic School playground was overseen by the local Parents &
Friends
group, with pledges being made to use their skills to maintain the
playgrounds for the longer term.
Learning
how to use new
power tools in 2004.
Chibobo
Basic School
parents mixing paints for the playground.
VEHICLE
& EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
During
trips to Chibobo in 2008
and 2009 by St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Sunbury, Australia,
time
was taken to teach members of the Chibobo community skills to maintain
their bicycles and equipment. Simple vehicle maintenance was also
taught so that vehicles would last longer.
SKILLING
THE LOCAL TEACHERS
Teachers
from Overnewton College
have used their educational skills to help the teachers from the
Chibobo area to learn new skills, complementing these with a range of
resources to be used in the local schools. During the 2005 Overnewton
trip teacher Margaret Jones put together a 2 day training course, which
was well received. Margaret & her team worked with the local
teachers to skill each other and learn how to use the resources that
were brought from Australia. The team also worked alongside the
teachers in their classes.
FUTURE
TRAININGFUTURE
TRAINING
Over
the years HMP and their
sponsors have developed contacts with a range of local training
institutions – Malcolm Moffat Teacher Training College plus
Mechanics for Africa (MFAZ) and Mobile Mission Maintenance (MMM) in
Ndola.
Overnewton College aims to establish an ongoing training fund, where
Help Ministries Project would nominate a person from the Chibobo
community each year to receive training in an area of need. This person
would have their training & living expenses covered, and would
be
contracted to return to the Chibobo community at the end of their
training to help the community to progress.
Apart from those course that have already been mentioned, courses
include tailoring & dress making, accounting, carpentary
&
joinery, brickmaking & laying, construction management,
accounting
plus others.
