Gabriel Konayuma

Exploring Zanzibar the Spice Island

2012-01-17T23:53:00.000-08:00

Right: Kilimanjaro Ship that we used from Dar to Zanzibar and back

On 28^th May 2011, Christian Kasumo (close friend of mine) and I set off from Dar-es-Salaam to Zanzibar. Our mission was to explore the famous spice island of Zanzibar lying on the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous state that is part of Tanzania. The capital of Zanzibar, located on the island of Unguja, is Zanzibar City, and its historic centre, known as Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site. Zanzibar's main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. In particular, the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. For this reason, the islands, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, are sometimes called the Spice Islands. Zanzibar's most famous event is the Zanzibar International Film Festival, also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries. Every July, this event showcases the best of the Swahili Coast arts scene, including Zanzibar's favorite music, Taarab.

Right: Christian (in cap) aboard the Kilimanjaro Ship

In history, Zanzibar was famous worldwide for its spices and its slaves. It was East Africa's main slave-trading port, and in the mid-19th century as many as 50,000 slaves were passing annually through the slave markets of Zanzibar. We left Dar-es-Salaam in the morning using a luxury ship. The ship was fully packed. The journey to Zanzibar took 2 hours. It was made shorter by watching Mr. Bones, a South African comedy that was being screened on the ship. The journey was smoother much smoother than the return trip (more on that later!). When we arrived in Zanzibar we had our passport’s stamped and then quickly found a local tour guide for the island. We opted for a two hour walking guide of the old Zanzibar. So then what did we see?

Right: Gabriel at Indian Ocean coast

The first building we saw was the Mercury House. This is named after the famous musician Freddie Mercury of the popular band Queen who was born in Zanzibar. We were then taken to a mosque that had doors more than 100 years old but still looking strong. It’s worth mentioning that Zanzibar’s main religion is Islam. It is said to account for 95% of the island’s religion. One interesting feature of the streets in old town in Zanzibar is that they are very narrow. Only pedestrians, those on bicycles, motor bikes and those riding donkey’s can use the streets. We then went to the gardens with an open space overlooking the Indian Ocean. We were informed by the guide that every day at 18 00 hours, locals and visitors gather to sample the various foods that are found in Zanzibar. We missed this part as we got back to Dar-es-Salaam well before 18 00 hours.

Right: Christian with tour guide take a stroll at Old Stone City

The next place we saw was an old fort (see photo below). We then went to a fish market where we saw fish that we had never seen before or heard of. This included some little white shark! Incredible that such is eaten! After that we went to a spice market. What a market! Christian and I bought a number of spices. Among the spices we bought was also banana coffee, masala tea (a mixed spices tea with numerous health benefits), vanilla tea and so on. Zanzibar is truly a Spice island!

Right: Christian and myself relaxing at the old fort

Our next stop was an old bath house built over several hundred years ago. Though the building is very old, it looks very old! A look at the design of the bath house gives some insight into the design of modern sauna’s. The bath house had components for the men to leave their clothes, a hot bath area, an area for showers, including showers from the natural rain!

After all the walking we had done for almost 90 minutes, we were tired and needed to refresh ourselves with some food and drink. We were guided to a small cute restaurant where we had samsooa’s, burgers and chips. Not forgetting the special Amazon Thunder drink made out of the local tropical fruits. It was a very refreshing drink! I just wish we had got the recipe for the drink for it sure thundered in our taste bud’s (at least mine!). After the meal, it was time to get back to Dar-es-Salaam. We bid farewell to our tour guide and paid the fees to him. We then boarded the same ship we had come with in the morning.

Our return trip was a bit interesting. There were quite some serious waves on the ocean. Some people that were on the open upper deck of the ship were vomiting due to the waves. For the first time, I got a true understanding of what we had learnt about sea-sickness that sailors of long ago that ventured from America, Europe and Asia suffered when they travelled by boat on the ocean’s. The waves were quite strong that at some point it felt as if we were on a small boat even though the ship was quite big! Our colleague with whom we visited Zanzibar made a wise choice when she travelled back by air. (To our wonder some local Tanzanian’s rowed past us in a small boat that looked like a canoe. The boat was very packed with people standing. The risks people can take!) We got relieved when we saw the lights of Dar-es-Salaam on the shore lines. We were glad to be back on land again after our brief visit to the Spice Island! With the beautiful shores and coral reefs on the Indian Ocean and the blend of ancient and modern buildings and culture in Zanzibar, it is no wonder that some newly-wed couples have made Zanzibar their honeymoon destination!

Dag Hammarskjöld Remembered

2011-09-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Introduction

50 years ago on 18 September 1961, in the thick forests of Ndola a plane carrying then United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld and other officials crashed and burst into flames. The Northern News (Northern Rhodesia's National daily Newspaper) dated 19 September 1961 then reported "The body of Mr.Dag Hammarskjöld, United Nations Secretary General, was found amid the wreckage of a UN plane seven miles from here today. There was one survivor form the 14 aboard. Sabotage has not been ruled out. There is some official speculation that the plane may have been shot down". Dag Hammarskjöld was on a peace mission to Congo, where there had been fighting between rebels and the government. Who was Dag Hammarskjöld and what is his legacy as the world remembers him? Dag Hammarskjöld was a Swedish diplomat, economist, and author. An early Secretary-General of the United Nations, he served from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961. He is the only person to have been awarded a posthumous Nobel Peace Prize. Dag Hammarskjöld remains the only U.N. Secretary-General to die in office, and his death occurred en route to cease-fire negotiations. Praised by many, President of the United States John F. Kennedy called Dag Hammarskjöld “the greatest statesman of our century".

Dag Hammarskjold

Early life and career

Dag Hammarskjöld was born in Jönköping, Sweden, but spent most of his childhood in Uppsala. The fourth and youngest son of Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, Prime Minister of Sweden from 1914 to 1917, and Agnes Hammarskjöld (née Almquist), Hammarskjöld's ancestors served the Monarchy of Sweden since the 17th century. He studied first at Katedralskolan and then at Uppsala University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Master's degree in Political economy. During this time he served for a year as the first Curator at Uplands Nation later moving to Stockholm.

Appointment as UN Secretary General

When Trygve Lie resigned from his post as UN Secretary-General in 1953, the United Nations Security Council recommended Hammarskjöld for the post. It came as a surprise to him.[3] Seen as a competent technocrat without political views, he was selected on 31 March by a majority of 10 out of eleven Security Council members. The UN General Assembly elected him in the 7–10 April session by 57 votes out of 60. In 1957, he was re-elected.

During his term, Dag Hammarskjöld tried to smooth relations between Israel and the Arab states. Other highlights include a 1955 visit to China to negotiate release of 15 captured US pilots who had served in theKorean War, the 1956 establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force, and his intervention in the 1956 Suez Crisis. He is given credit by some historians for allowing participation of the Holy See within the United Nations that year.

In 1960, the former Belgian Congo and then newly independent Congo asked for UN aid in defusing the Congo Crisis. Dag Hammarskjöld made four trips to the Congo. His efforts towards the decolonisation of Africa were considered insufficient by the Soviet Union; in September 1960, the Soviet government denounced his decision to send a UN emergency force to keep the peace. They demanded his resignation and the replacement of the office of Secretary-General by a three-man directorate with a built-in veto, the "troika".

Legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld

Hammarskjöld's death was a memorable event. At the site in Ndola exists the Dag Hammarskjöld Crash Site Memorial, which is under consideration for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A press release issued by the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo stated that, "... in order to pay a tribute to this great man, now vanished from the scene, and to his colleagues, all of whom have fallen victim to the shameless intrigues of the great financial Powers of the West... the Government has decided to proclaim Tuesday, 19 September 1961, a day of national mourning."

Scene of plane crash. Source: BBC

Dag Hammarskjöld received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, havingbeen nominated before his death. On 6th April 2011, the Bank of Swedenannounced that Hammarskjöld's image will be used on the 1000 kronorbanknote, the highest-denomination banknote in Sweden. AfterHammarskjöld's death, U.S. President John F. Kennedy regretted that he opposedthe UN policy in the Congo and said: “I realise now that in comparison to him,I am a small man. He was the greatest statesman of our century.”

In Zambia apart from the memorial site, a football stadium wasnamed after him, though it no longer exists after being brought down to have anew one constructed. A new stadium has since been constructed on theNdola-Kitwe dual carriage way. Maybe this should be named

Dag Hammarskjöld stadium? There is also a library in Kitwe at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation named after him. At the time I last used the library and also served on the user group in 2002, it was the one of the best libraries in Zambia. My serving on the library's user group also enabled me to attend the 40th anniversary of Dag Hammarskjold's death in September 2001.at the Dag Hammarskjold memorial site (see photo below).

Conclusion

In closing, let me end by saying that Dag Hammarskjold has left a legacy of peace. He died in the course of duty while to broker peace between warring factions. No wonder the Financial Times of 2011 reported that Dag Hammarskjold has remained the benchmark against which later UN Secretary-Generals have been judged. The circumstances of Dag's death remain a mystery. One theory is that the plane was shot down by a second plane. Read here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/17/dag-hammarskjold-un-secretary-general-crash. The account makes for some compelling reading as it raises a lot of unanswered questions surrounding Dag Hammarskjold death. Even if we do not know the truth here on earth, we will in eternity. Let me end by quoting Dag Hammarskjold's words on life "We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into is ours. He who wills adventure will experience it - according to the measure of his courage. He who wills sacrifice will be sacrificed according to the measure of his purity of heart".

References

Hammarskjold, D. (1964) Markings Leif Sjoberg and WH Auden(trans) London: Faber and Faber.

Wikipedia (2011) Dag Hammarskjöld [Online]. Available from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dag_Hammarskjöld.

Sola 5 Conference starts in Livingstone

2011-09-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

The 7th Annual Sola 5 conference started today in livingstone in Zambia. The theme of the conference is 'living God's way in God's world: Christians impacting culture. Bruce Button from the Sovereign Grace Theological Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia delivered the first sermon on the Cultural Mandate Expounded and Illustrated: the biblical basis for the cultural mandate. Bruce noted that the climax of the creation native in Genesis 1 was the creation of man. Bruce gave eight reasons why the creation of man is significant. Some of the reasons were: the space given to the narrative (Genesis 1:26-31) and the commission given to man, which was described as the climax of the climax of the creation narrative. Bruce also pointed out how the cultural mandate was restored in Christ as seen in Ephesians 1:21-2 and Colossians 1:15-20. The application of this was illustrated in Ephesians 6:5-9. Bruce emphasized that exercising dominion over creation was a very spiritual thing.

Earlier Michael Bwembya, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, the hosts of the Conference welcomed all to Livingstone. He appealed to delegates to enjoy the preaching of God's word and the mighty Victoria Falls in Livingstone. Livingstone is a historic colonial city and present headquarters of the Southern Province of Zambia, a tourism centre for the Victoria Falls lying 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the Zambezi River, and a border town with road and rail connections to Zimbabwe on the other side of the Falls. In the last ten years, although manufacturing industry has continued to decline with the closure of textile businesses unable to compete with Chinese imports. Livingstone has enjoyed a influx of investment in the industry from modern and sophisticated hotel chains like Sun International, local guest houses and lodges to modern shopping centres and restaurants.

Mowbray Baptist Church - Spiritual Home Away From Home

2011-08-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

Poster on Church building

I have been attending church services at Mowbray Baptist Church in Cape Town since June whenever I go for week long residential classes at University of Cape Town. How did I find myself at this church? It was after making enquiries from a Baptist pastor in Cape Town, whose church (Reformed Baptist) I had planned to attend but could not do so because it is very far from University of Cape Town (UCT). Mowbray Baptist Church is a multi-national, multi-cultural church in Cape Town, South Africa. As Mowbray is a cosmopolitan area, close to the University of Cape Town, Medical School, and Cape Town University of Technology campuses, there are members and adherents from many different countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the rest of the world. The church was constituted in 1903 in Observatory and moved into newly-built larger premises in Mowbray in 1979.

Church Pastors

The church is led by Pastor Geoff Milligan and Pastor Joshua Lungu. Pastor Geoff Milligan is a Bible-based conservative evangelical ministry and a missionary vision, who enjoys ministering in a multi-national church with a wide cultural diversity. In 2001, he became the pastor of Manor Community Church, where he served until coming to Mowbray. He and his wife, Gill, responded to the Lord’s leading to begin their ministry at Mowbray Baptist at the beginning of March 2007. The Milligan’s have two children, Craig, a married teacher in Johannesburg, and Debra who is a qualified occupational therapist working in Mitchell’s Plain.

Gill and Geoff Milligan

Joshua Lungu

Pastor Joshua Lungu, a Student Pastor, whose ministry is mainly to students and in leading corporate worship, hails from Kitwe on the Copperbelt in Zambia. He grew up with an Ngoni stepfather and Bemba mother. After graduating from high school, he studied and gained a certificate in general agriculture. He was very active as Youth Director in his church, completed a course in church planting, and served as an assistant pastor in Mufulira. After working for a time as a farm manager, he heard God’s call to study for the ministry and came to South Africa. Here he has gained a Diploma in Pastoral Theology at the Trinity Academy Theological College in Pietermaritzburg and a BA Theology Honours degree at the Bible Institute of South Africa in Cape Town. In addition to his busy schedule, ministering especially to students, and preaching and leading worship on Sundays, he is currently also studying for his Masters degree in the Old Testament.

Church Ministries

Some of the ministries of the church include Growth groups, Ladies’ and Seniors’ Growth Groups, Women in Action, Men's Fellowship, Missions, Peakview Pre-Primary School, Quiet Mornings, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship and Students.

Sunday morning worship service

Impressions

Some of the impressions that I have had of the church include the worship service which comprises English and vernacular songs (mostly Xhosa). The songs are all projected using a projector. Most of the English songs are familiar to me making me feel home away from home.
Another thing that has impressed me is how the church e-mails visitors within a week. Also I had a call from one of the pastors within a week. Churches need to learn that first time visitors need to be made to feel at home early.
Something else that has made an impression to me is the regular online monthly newsletter. This carries a devotional letter from the Pastor and also news of what is happening in a church. For a visitor this is useful for knowing what has been and is happening in a church. The church website is regularly updated and provides useful information for members and visitors.

Conclusion

In a nutshell this is a brief account of Mobwray Baptist Church whose vision for 2011 is “Getting it RIGHT … getting it DONE … for the glory of GOD.

For further information visit the church website: http://www.mowbraybaptist.za.org

Pastor Joshua Lungu with Gabriel

Learning Theories Overview

2011-07-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Behaviourism

2011-07-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

Learning, Cognition and Technology Seminar

by Gabriel S Konayuma, Munyarari Ndoro, Jarome Reitz
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (ICTs in Education)Class
University of Cape Town
26 July 2011

1. Definition of Behaviourist Learning Theory
Behaviourism, also called the learning perspective (where any physical action is a behaviour), is a philosophy of psychology based on the proposition that all things that organisms do—including acting, thinking and feeling—can and should be regarded as behaviours (Skinner, 1984).

Behaviourism as applied to learners is the idea that the learner is an empty container to be filled with “the learning”. What the learner does after learning is called his “behaviour.” The behaviour can be shaped by putting various things into the container and observing what happens (Focal Works, 2011).

Behaviorism is a worldview that assumes a learner is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli. The learner starts off as a clean slate (i.e. tabula rasa) and behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement. Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increase the probability that the antecedent behavior will happen again. In contrast, punishment (both positive and negative) decreases the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again. Positive indicates the application of a stimulus; Negative indicates the withholding of a stimulus. Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner. Lots of (early) behaviorist work was done with animals (e.g. Pavlov’s dogs) and generalized to humans (Learning Theories, 2008).

Radical behaviorism, developed by Skinner, describes a particular school that emerged during the reign of behaviorism. It is distinct from other schools of behaviorism, with major differences in the acceptance of mediating structures, the role of emotions, etc.

2. Leading Behavioural Theorists
Originators and important contributors: John B. Watson,
Ivan Pavlov- Did his study with dogs where he used a bell to indicate the presence of food therefore stimulate a behavior which is the dogs salivating in anticipation, B.F. Skinner, E. L. Thorndike (connectionism), Bandura, Tolman (moving toward conce of gnitivism)

3. Key principles of Behaviourial Learning Theory
(a) Learning is manifested by a change in behaviour.
• new knowledge leads to change in behaviour. Once someone learns something it changes how they perceive something.
(b) environment shapes behaviour.
• Example: In South Africa & Zimbabwe good academic performance is found among in schools that were once pre-dominantly white, (A schools) in Zimbabwe .
(c) contiguity (how close in time two events must be for a bond to be formed) as well as reinforcement are central to explaining the learning process.
• Repetition enforces the learning process. Sometimes this is done out of context since behaviourist believe that students can be taught best when the focus is directly on the content to be taught.

4. Behaviourial Learning Theory principles in relation to ICTs
(a) Learning is manifested by a change in behaviour.
• When using ICTs more of the senses of the human being are being used. This stimulates change in behaviour as it is a more effective learning process. Visual, audio and hand co-ordinations versus just audio although this is all still instructional learning.
(b) environment shapes behaviour.
In an environment with ICTs the users sees the learning process in a new light and thus this effects a change in their behaviour. This give the sense that the gap between the learning environment and the outside world is bridged by the ICTs
(c) contiguity (how close in time two events must be for a bond to be formed) as well as reinforcement are central to explaining the learning process.
With the use of ICTs reinforcement is easier as information is stored in its original form and can be easily made reference to at any time. New information is also made available that can support what is already there.
How behaviourist approach teaching

1. Breaking information and skills into small units
2. Providing regular feedback as well as encouragement
3. Teaching is direct
4. Direct or teacher centered instruction

The word: Behaviourism
The people: Ivan Pavlov, B F Skinner, and others
The good: Gives the instructor full control
Izzet Kara did an experiment with grade 7 students to find out which method of instruction between the Traditional Instruction (TI) and Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) lead to better understanding and retention. During the experiment the teacher remained in full control of the content that was to be learned which was the same for both groups. The two groups started with the same pretest and after the delivery of the content the groups were given a post test and after 5 months the groups were given another test. It was found out that the group were CAI was used performed better in both the post test and the last test which proved that the more aids you use in the instruction the better the retention of learning.
The bad: Thinks of learners as empty containers.

B. F. Skinner proposed a teaching machine but the problem is that it does not have human qualities. The machine instructs the different set of activities. If the student does not understand the sequence of instruction then there is no one to explain. By using a teaching machine this theory views the student as an empty container that is there to receive and be filled with knowledge.

Summary
This is the one that actually caused the problem—the problem that other learning theories try to rectify! While talking about behaviourism, the phrase “operant conditioning” comes up often. Stripped of the details, this scientific-sounding word means: “Reward someone for doing something good, and punish him for doing something bad. He will automatically do the correct activities after some time” (Focal Works, 2011).
As adults, what we remember about our schoolroom is close to this. The teacher teaches by filling the students with facts they should know. The exam tests how much they know. If the student “behaves” correctly by showing that he has learnt, then he is rewarded by being promoted. If he has behaved incorrectly, he/she is demoted. Teachers hope that in this way, the student will eventually behave perfectly, that is, that he will be filled with the correct knowledge (Focal Works, 2011).
There is no single theory of learning which supplies a total explanation of human learning. Some of the major agreements among educational psychologists which ICT education teachers need to bear in mind:
(1) Motivation is essential for learning
(2) Transfer of training is not automatic. Transfer of training is more likely to occur when experiences are meaningful in terms of goals of learners.
(3) Mere repetition or drill is not necessarily conducive to learning, but they are likely to be where drill or repetition is experienced because learners see that these activities are related to their goals.
(4) Learning is not merely a matter of chance, it is related to goals of learners toward their goals are more likely to be learned (J. D. Millet, 1962).

References

Focal Works (2011) Learning Theories 101: What they mean. Available from: http://focalworks.in/articles/learning-theories . Accessed: 25 July 2011.

Kara, I (2008) The Effect on Retention of Computer Assisted Instruction. Journal of Instructional Psychology in Science Education, 35(4):357-364.

Learning Theories (2008) Behaviorism. Available from: http://www.learning-theories.com/behaviorism.html. Accessed: 25 July 2011.

Millet, J. D. (1962) Learning Theories. Cited in Mathematics Education Reader, University of Zambia, 1989.

Skinner, B. F. (1958) Teaching Machines. Science, 128(3330):969-977.

Skinner, B.F. (1984) "The operational analysis of psychological terms". Behavioral and Brain Sciences 7 (4): 547–81. Available from: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=9212556. Accessed: 25 July 2011.

Wikipedia (2011) Learning Theory (Education). Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education). Accessed: 25 July 2011.

Bring Your Computer to Class Day

2011-06-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Copyright By John Orlando, PhD

Our student newspaper recently ran a story about students bringing their cell phones and computers to class. Not surprisingly, all of the teachers interviewed were against the practice on the grounds that these devices distracted students from class material. Some went so far as to forbid students from using them in class, although you have to wonder if they can really enforce such a rule.

I was interviewed in the next issue of the newspaper and mentioned that I don't object to computers and cell phones in class at all. In fact, I wonder if we should be encouraging students to bring them to class. For one, students will eventually be entering the working world where these devices are ubiquitous. Look at any business meeting and you will find everyone with smart phones or laptops. The restriction on their use amounts to telling students that they need to go back to using pen and paper for notetaking, like the 60's. We are preparing students for a world that no longer exists.

But more importantly, I'm using the devices to increase student participation. This idea occurred to me when a student asked a factual question in class that I couldn't answer off the top of my head. A few minutes later another student volunteered the answer, which she had looked up on her smart phone.

At that point I started telling students that they could bring their digital devices to class, but if they did they must be prepared to do research on the spot. For instance, I might say "Jerry, in what year did the Tuskegee Syphilis Study end?," requiring him to research the answer for us.

This policy makes students collaborators in the learning process. It's too easy to fall into the trap of believing that only teachers have valuable knowledge for students. While we may be the primary experts in our classroom, there is no reason why students cannot offer up information to advance the discussion.

I'm sure that the smart phones and laptops are a distraction at times, and no doubt students are checking text messages (email is passé among today's students, in case you haven't heard), and Facebook. But digital devices can also make them more engaged in the material, and can be of particular benefit to shy students who are afraid of saying something dumb if they speak up. This is not a concern when they are reporting someone else's research.

So instead of fighting the digital movement, try treating it as a collaborator in the learning process and a way to get all of your students involved in class.

What do you think about computers in the classroom? As always, I encourage your comments, criticisms, and cries of outrage in the comments section of the blog.

Visit to Cape Town

2011-05-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Getting to Cape Town

Sometimes something that one has always wanted to do come your way when you least expect it. Going to Cape Town in South Africa was one such thing for me. I had always wanted to visit Cape Town for some time. Previously I had visited Johannesburg and Pretoria from 2004 and also Durban in 2007. How did I get to go to Cape Town? It was after being offered a place to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Information & Communication Technology in Education) leading to a Masters at University of Cape Town (www.uct.ac.za). I left Lusaka for Cape Town via Johannesburg on 28th March 2011 at 07 20 via South African Airways. At O R Tambo Airport I boarded another South African Airways jumbo jet at 11 00 hours. I had hoped to sleep on the Johannesburg to Cape Town route but that was not the case as I sat next to Chris from Zimbabwe a doctoral student at University of Cape Town (UCT). We got to chat about our countries, studies at UCT, gospel music etc. The 2 hour journey to Cape Town seemed like 30 minutes!

Arriving in Cape Town

When we arrived at Cape Town airport, after collecting our luggage we looked for the shuttle that was waiting for us. In the shuttle bus I met my course mates for the first time after having "met" them online in our pre face-face sessions. The online interactions were very good as we all introduced ourselves and what were doing in terms of use of ICTs in Education in our respective nations. Later in the day, we had a time of meeting the rest of the students (including some from Cape Town). Most of the students were accommodated at hostels close to UCT while Kingsley and I were accommodated at Kingsbury Guest House within walking distance from UCT and near the shopping centre where we would walk to buy meals and do some shopping.

Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa,and the largest in land area, forming part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. It is the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located. The city is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town is also Africa's most popular tourist destination.

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in South Africa. You can read more about Cape Town on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Classes at Cape Town

The week of learning was hectic but fun. In each day we had a combination of lectures, group discussions, presentations and reflections we had to write each day on our blogs on what we had learnt. The learning was quite collaborative. When it came to students presenting project proposals each student had 30 minutes to present and be asked questions by fellow students. This is addition with comments from our two programme co-ordinators: Professors Dick N'ga,mbi & Cheryl Williams, was very useful in improving the project proposal. Our day usually started at 08 00 and ended at 17 00 but not really 17 00 as we would have group work that kept us busy till 20 00 and then after supper we would get busy with reading and writing and have online discussions with other studnets. The last three nights most students slept very late. I remember sleeping for less than 3 hours the last few days. With such a hectic schedule it was not easy to find time to see the beauty of Cape Town.

Cape Town attractions
On the last Saturday, on 2nd April, I went with four classmates to the Waterfront.

The Waterfront is a beautiful getway to the Indian Ocean. It has been said that a visit to South Africa and to Cape Town would not be complete without visiting the Cape Town Big 6 i.e. Waterfront, Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstenbosch, Robben Island, Cape Point and Constantia Vineyards. At the Waterfront is the Nobel Square which features statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize winners – Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. There is also a big shopping mall at the Waterfront which we rushed through as we wanted to visit the Table Mountain. It was good to meet Sandras a former student whom I taught at the Copperbelt University. He is studying and working in Cape Town.

Our visit to the Table Mountain was not very successful as the cable that goes up the mountain was closed for business when we arrived. However, we were able to see the group of mountains from a different angle. We were also able to see the Greenpoint Stadium, used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We also saw the Parliament buildings. Afterwards, the lady in our group left to go back to UCT whilst the four men remained. The group was interesting. A Cameronian, Austrian, Zimbabwean and Zambian! On the advice of Gerald from Austria we went in search for Addis Cafe, an Ethiopian restaurant. At the restaurant we settled for a menu where we could each have two types of dishes along with Ethiopian bread. The meal was lovely! You should try Ethiopian food. My friend Kinsley has told me that we need to try Ethiopian food again when we meet in a few days in Dar-es-Salaam for the eLearning Africa Conference.

The pen versus the sword - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

2011-03-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

The pen versus the sword - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

My Personal eLearning Africa 2010 Story

2011-03-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Being a Host and Organiser at the Conference

I attended this year’s eLA conference from a different angle: not as a participant, but as a host and conference organiser. We had planned for and were expecting 1500 delegates to attend the conference. Little did we think we could reach almost 1800! What threatened to be a huge organisational hiccup, owing to the very high attendance, turned into joy as we managed to register everyone who arrived unexpectedly at the last minute and enabled them to participate in the conference.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address by Right Rev. Johnson of the Gambia, who spoke about Social Networks and their impact on religion and moral and value systems from an African perspective. Rev. Johnson, who is a frequent Twitter and Facebook user, was very clear, passionate and practical in his speech. I also enjoyed participating in the 4th UNESCO Pre-Conference Summit, which focused on Flexible Skills Development.

Networking with conference delegates was great. During the speakers’ reception at my table, I made some excellent contacts with colleagues from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (3 East African nations on one table plus my own, Zambia!). I was also able to network with some colleagues from Rwanda, the USA, Kenya and Zimbabwe after the conference when we shared a meal at Arabian Nights at Arcades Shopping Mall. I look forward to attending next year’s conference if I am able. The event is very useful to policymakers, educators, trainers and learners.

Gabriel S Konayuma, Senior TEVET Officer, Ministry of Science, Technology & Vocational Training Lusaka, Zambia

Originally posted on: http://www.elearning-africa.com/newsportal/english/news252.php

Finish School First

2011-02-20T22:35:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Some trends usually sound and look attractive that young people never stop to think whether they are right for them. Youths normally find it easy to fall prey to the attractions of peer pressure. “All my friends are doing it” is the catch phrase. Youths fail to analyse the consequences of their actions.

I make the above statement because of the trend of boys and girls in secondary school to have girlfriends and boyfriends. Some boys and girls think that it is abnormal not to be in a relationship with a member of the opposite sex when they are in school. But is it really abnormal?

This pairing up of boys and girls is more common in co-educational schools. Pupils somehow think that the very fact that they are in a co-educational school means that they must have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Those in boys only or girls’ only schools will make efforts to have girl or boy friends in some neighbouring or sister schools. The writer recalls whilst attending a boys’ secondary school, the excitement that boys had when going to visit girls’ secondary school. Some boys would make every effort to look very smart and ensure that they make connections with some girl to be their girl friend.

1. Why not have relationships while at school
Why is it not wise to be in a relationship while still in school? I propose four reasons gathered from my experience as a student and a secondary school teacher.

(a) Teenage a period of self-discovery
Most secondary students are teenagers. Teenagers are in the process of self-discovery. A teenager is trying to establish who they are, what life is all about and laying a foundation for their lives after high school. Being in a relationship at such time is denying yourself for self-discovery and self-improvement.
(b) Difficulties in knowing what type of person you want in life
At this stage in life, it is difficult to be certain what type of person you want for a life partner. The writer knows very few who have courted from secondary school and gotten married later. Generally at this stage, your emotional and intellectual being is being developed. The danger of having a boyfriend or girlfriend at this time is that you may follow outward beauty more than character in choosing someone.
(c) Pressure to be in a relationship
Some youths are under pressure to be in a relationship because their friends are in one. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend because most of your friends have them does not give you the opportunity to carefully select the right type of person you want for a friend. You are under pressure to be in a relationship now! So anyone will do for you!
(d) School relationships do not last
Experience has shown that very few people who had girlfriends or boyfriends while still in school, eventually married each other. The whole issue of having a boy or girl friend becomes a game. One gets in and out of relationships in the same way one changes classes from one grade to another!

2. Relating to members of the opposite sex in school
How can one rightly relate to members of the opposite sex while they are still in school? I propose that you consider the following:

(a) School days are time to learn about the opposite sex
It’s a time to be just friends with the opposite sex without necessarily being in a love relationship. At this time you can learn more about how boys and girls behave without being in a relationship. Those that have brothers and sisters at home even have greater opportunities to learn about the opposite sex in terms of how they think, feel and act.
(b) Doing many useful things together
You should spend most of your school days learning, studying, playing and talking to one another without being in relationships. You’ll discover that you can be in study groups of boys and girls and benefit each other a lot.
(c) Help each other avoid destructive habits
You should help each other avoid destructive habits like pre-marital sex, drinking beer, smoking and taking drugs. You can also join useful clubs and sporting activities. You can also get involved in useful community activities.
(d) Build a solid foundation for life after school
Use your time to work hard and build a solid foundation for life after school. Dear friend, boys and girls will be there after you finish school. There is no need to rush into relationships. Finish school first. Some may think that it is being old fashioned not to expect someone to have a boyfriend or girlfriend while in school. There are a number who are now married that were patient enough to finish their studies first. Learn from such examples that have gone before you.

Conclusion
1. Set goals for your future while you are at school. What type of job do you want to do? What type of person do you want for a wife or a husband? Where do you want to work? Get advice from teachers, community leaders, schoolmates, parents and guardians.
2. Work very hard in class. Build good peer relationships with both boys and girls. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend just because it is in fashion is not a good reason for you to have one. Resolve to be different.
3. Finally make the most of your time at school. Make your school days memorable. Rushing into boy-girl relationships at this stage of your life will only bring you unnecessary heartaches and rob you of your precious time for your studies. Let him or her who has ears hear what has been shared in this article. I wish you God’s best in your studies. If you are not yet a Christian, seek the Lord and find salvation. If you must have a relationship in school I urge to have a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gabriel S Konayuma
Revised 10/02/2007

Note: This article was first published in Guiding Light magazine of June – September 2002 edition.

Valentine's Day - The Christian's response

2011-02-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

By Chikondi Phiri

“Be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)

Introduction

Christianity has been beset by a number of worldly amusements over the last few centuries. What the early Church considered abominable is now the darling of modern Christians. It is not uncommon to find pagan rituals and days being incorporated in the Church. Some argue that this is not wrong because “we are doing it the Christian way”. Others say that the new generation in the Church will not accept anything less than what the world is offering in terms of music, celebrations and dressing. This is not strange because the enemy of our souls is working night and day seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8).

Valentine’s Day, just like Halloween in United States of America, has found its way in the Church. If one was talking about cults it is no big bother but many so called evangelicals have fallen in love with Valentine Day. Many young Christian men and women exchange Valentine cards and bouquets around this time of the year. The excitement has caught up with Church leaders and other elderly Christians who have either kept quite or allowed the young ones to go ahead and “ be merry”.

The Bible is very clear on such issues as these. “ Be ye not conformed to the world” (Romans 12:2); “ Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world" ”1 John 2: 15). Valentine’s Day is of the world and Christians must keep away from it and have nothing to do with it. The failure by Church leaders to teach or warn their flock on such issues as Valentine’s day has partly contributed to the degeneration of morals in our society. Let us see where this day came from and what influence it has had over the years on the Church. This should form a basis for us to “watch our life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Historical Development

There are different stories surrounding the origins of Valentine’s Day. After a careful search, I have simplified my findings below.

Background
Two Roman Saints called Valentine are commemorated on 14th February. One was Bishop of Terni, beheaded in AD 270 in Rome; the other was a priest or physician (allegedly invoked against epilepsy because it is said he cured a youth who suffered from fits) who was martyred AD 269 under Emperor Claudius.
These two men were martyred on the same day- 14th February. However, Bollandists assert that these two Valentines were in fact one and the same. Neither of them seems to have any clear connections with lovers of or courting couples. This obviously breeds questions as why Valentines Day is associated with lovers and courting couples.

How Lovers Come In!
A few reasons have been forwarded for this famous patronage:
(1) It is believed that birds are supposed to pair on 14th February, a belief at least as old as Chauncer, just as a custom of choosing and calling oneself a Valentine is at least as old as the Paston letters.
(2) Some authorities see the custom of choosing a partner on Valentines Day as the survival of the elements of the Roman Pagan Lupercalia Festival, which took place in the middle of February. This was a festival in honour of the goddess Februato Juno, when boys drew a lot of names of unmarried girls. Youths were once given billet-doux with names of girls to be courted, their “valentines” and each gave a girl a present, often a pair of gloves! The giving of presents continued into the eighteenth century but was superseded slowly by the practice of girls sending hand-written cards to their Valentines, which were signed so that the man to whom it was addressed must guess who sent it. Francis de sales (1579-1622), in an unsuccessful effort to improve the occasion, suggested that names of saints to be emulated should be substituted for girls names.

Cards and Flowers

The first printed Valentines appeared in Stationery shops in 1761 and were folded sheets of flimsy paper with bright hand coloured engravings and verses. From 1800 they became more substantial with embossing and paper-lace. The advent of penny-postage led to a great increase of Valentines, as the sender could easily remain anonymous. The 19th Century produced comic Valentines and also romantic, sentimental cards made of swansdown or silk ribbon, silver lace paper or dried flowers, cards made in a shape of fans, circular or 3-dimensional cards and cards containing mirrors or sachets of perfume. It became the practice for men to send them as well as women.

Valentine Today

Many practices on Valentines Day in the United Kingdom are horrible. One lady, a pastor’s wife recounts how a fellow Pastor received a host of letters from some people within the Church. Some read as follows:
“…. Pastor, I wish you were not married to that wife of yours…your Valentine.”

Whatever the reason, the connection of lovers with St. Valentine, with all its consequences for the printing and retailing industries, is one of the less likely results of the cult of Roman Martyrs. For a long time, no Churches in England seemed to be dictated by Valentine, but his feast on 14th February remained constant on their calendars. The situation now is like that of Israel when there was no King; “ every man did that which was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25.

The Christian Response

Christians who participate in Valentine’s Day are clearly compromising and following the ways of the world and of the ruler of the prince of the air who is now at work in the disobedient. The Bible has clear guidance on how we should conduct ourselves here on earth.

1. We are pilgrims – Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3: 19, 20). Our minds should be fixed on things above and not worldly amusements or festivities.

2. Young men should treat their sisters in Christ with purity. (I Tim. 5:2) There should not even be a hint of sexual immorality among God’s people (Eph.5: 3). Sexual sins have brought many a saint down. Let us be aware.

3. Our lives must show that we are Christians. People should be able to see the difference. Let your light shine. Things of the world must not be co-opted in the church. Avoid all appearance of evil.

4. Church History is vital in our understanding of many practices carried out in our time. There is nothing new under the sun.

5. All the men who have left a mark on society in the past have been men of no compromise. Wishy-washy Christians are no good for the Church. They are headache to their parents and neck ache to society. They can not be remembered for anything but compromise.

Amen .

Chikondi Phiri, February, 2000 - Mongu

Story of the Beginnings of Ndola Baptist Church

2011-02-10T00:33:00.000-08:00

As told by Dayle Medgett, son to Basil Medgett, second pastor of Ndola Baptist Church

The church was started as a free church (non-denominational). I believe the first pastor was Maurice Darroll (1952 to 1954). At least he was the pastor before my dad, Basil Medgett (1954 to 1960?). Darroll was the one that transitioned the church from non-denominational to Baptist and he also built the first building which he describes as 20’ x 50’ with two ante-rooms and a stage. At the end of December 1953 he says the attendance had an average of 40 - 50 people. He received a call to Durban where he went in May 1954. I don’t know what happened to him after that.

Basil Medgett had been an associate pastor at Salisbury Baptist Church (now Central Baptist Church) working in Umtali (now Mutare) and he married my mother in May 1954 and moved that month to start work in Ndola. He pastored there until moving to start the Bible College at Fiwale Hill and be the director of the Lambaland Mission in about 1960. From there he went to Lusaka.

*************************************************************

As told by by Rita McIver, member of Ndola Baptist Church from July 1949 – Dec 1959

When I arrived in Ndola in 1949 the Baptist Church building was used by the Copperbelt Free Church and a Sunday School was held each Sunday morning and the evening service was led by men from different denominations under the umbrella of the Copperbelt Free Church. We had a very good Sunday School and the teachers were mostly folk, like me, who had come from the UK, SA, Rhodesia(Zimbabwe), or local Christians.

The church (see photo above taken in 2010) was built either in the l920’s or early 30’s by the Rev. Arthur Cross but when the Bwana Mkubwa open cast mine closed down about 1934 (I think) the church no longer operated as most the people had left the area. In 1952 the Rev. Maurice Darroll and his wife, Mona, and their 3 sons, Brian and twins David and Peter (I’m not sure if Peter was the name of the other one), came from Bulawayo to open up the Baptist work again and he asked all of us if we would be willing to support him in the Baptist work he had come to begin – which we all did. (If I remember correctly a few ex-Brethren people who were Sunday School teachers at the time decided not to join the Baptist work). A morning service was commenced and the Sunday School grew. Covenanter classes for teenage boys and girls were commenced.

The small original church building remained as it was, but Maurice Darroll instigated the building of the hall behind the church. Of course it was quite small but we were delighted to have a building in which to have Sunday School and Young People’s Meetings (and parties). It had a stage (concrete) with two small rooms behind which could be used for S.S. classrooms.

We didn’t have much money and Maurice Darroll helped a lot with the building, in fact during the construction he fell off the roof – fortunately he didn’t appear to suffer any serious damage. Later we decided to move the front door entrance and I think the vestibule was enlarged a bit and the entrance was then put on the side of the vestibule.

There was an old manse on the property next door to the church and it was decided to pull this down and two semi-detatched flats were build on the land. Maurice Darroll lived in the one closest to the church and Derek and Barbara Harris rented the other one and lived there until they left at the end of 1958.

Barbara Harris and Sylvia Michaelis ran the Covenanter class for the teenage girls – quite a good number of them – all those years, and this was held in the lounge of the Harris’ flat. I had a piano which was in the flat and the girls really enjoyed those meetings and the singing. Incidentally, one of those girls happened to come across Barbara Harris in Johannesburg recently and introduced herself to her and she was amazed to hear how this lady, then Margaret Porteous, is now the wife of a Baptist Minister in Johannesburg – Rev John Buchanan. She later went to the Baptist Theological College and obtained her Bachelors degree. At present they attend the Honeyridge Baptist Church. You might find this interesting.Its always wonderful to hear what happened to children and young people we have taught in Sunday School.

The Sunday School was run on the old British type of Sunday School – with anniversaries with the children doing special items, parties, visits to Fiwale Hill and other places for the Sunday School outing each year. A Youth Club was started on a Friday evening and mid-week Bible Study was held on Wednesday evenings. Thursday evening was choir practise and under the leadership of a Salvation Army gentleman, Ken Durman, the choir gave some excellent evenings of song to a packed church regularly. I played the organ – first an old pedal organ then a new Whurlitzer was bought.

Above are members of Ndola Baptist Church meeting in a tent during extensions to the main church building in 2010. Photos taken by Matthew S. Harmon

In 1954 Maurice Darroll received a call from Bulwer Road Baptist Church in Durban and left and Basil and Katie Medgett took over immediately about May 1954. Basil remained until about 1958 (not sure of exact date) and went to Fiwale Hill mission station. After that Walter Marsh (I think) took over. I left not long after to go back to the UK because my father died, and then I returned to Lusaka and got a job with the City Council as City Treasurer’s Secretary.

The Story of the Begining of Lusaka Baptist Church

2011-02-09T04:31:00.000-08:00

By Charles Kidwell

During 1955 my wife, Nora, and my daughter, Eleanor, moved from Port Elizabeth in South Africa to Lusaka, Zambia, (at the time known as Northern Rhodesia), as I had taken up an accounting position with the Motor Firm, Duly & Company Ltd, the then Ford Dealers in Zambia. Lusaka was at that time described as a "one horse town" but soon was to flourish into a pleasant Capital City. We soon linked up with the Methodist Church and I taught in the Sunday School, as there was no Baptist Church in Lusaka at the time. Duly & Co. gave us a warm welcome and housed us in a flat owned by the firm. After a few months I decided to advertise in the newspaper to locate any other Baptists who may be living in Lusaka. A Mrs Bain, originally from England, responded and also a lady from Durban who was teaching in the same Methodist Sunday School as I was. During this time my wife and I adopted a little girl, Zoe, making us a family of four.

It was during 1956 when the President of the Baptist Union of South Africa, Rev R H Philpott, was passing through Lusaka en route to the Copperbelt, that we four adults and two baby girls were formerly set aside in the presence of the Lord to form the Lusaka Baptist Fellowship.

Towards the end of 1956 I accepted the position of Assist¬ant General Manager with the firm Wilfrid Watson Ltd in Ndola on the Copperbelt and lived there for about a year or more. However, things did not work out satisfactorily for me and I rejoined Duly & Co Ltd in Lusaka. We were very blessed as the firm allocated us a large house in the suburb of Woodlands. The lounge was big and, after contacting more Baptists in the City, we commenced a midweek fellowship meeting which was held in our home and Sunday services were held in the local school hall. It was during this time that a Reporter from the local newspaper telephoned me to enquire if we Baptists planned to establish a Baptist work and build a church in the city. I replied in the affirmative and, to my astonishment, big headlines appeared in the local news¬paper stating "Baptists plan to build". Needless to say I had to act promptly!

Despite not having the necessary funds, I approached the Municipality and applied for a plot on which to erect a church and we were allocated a site in Argyll Road, (now Lubu Road) Lusaka. God graciously met our needs and by the time I was called upon to pay the required £200 our Fellowship was able to supply the funds.

As a Fellowship we were under the oversight of the Ndola Baptist Church and we were part of that Church's membership. The Ndola church had a change of Pastorate during this time, the Minister, Rev. Basil Medgett, having joined the Fiwale Hill Mission Station to head up the Bible School there and the Rev. Walter Maasch from Boksburg, South Africa, took over the Pastorate of the Ndola Church.

The Lusaka Fellowship grew in numbers. The services were led by local lay preachers, by missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Africa Evangelical Fellowship and by other visitors; once a month by one of the Baptist ministers came from Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). During the year 1958 the Fellowship grew sufficiently to invite as a student pastor Derek Harris and his wife Barbara to be our first pastoral couple. They accepted the invitation.

At this time work began on cleaning up the plot for building purposes. This wasn’t without incident and one Saturday a casual worker who had been employed to assist with the work complained that he had hurt his finger. On my way to get medication I was prompted to take him to hospital and it was discovered that he had been bitten by a snake. He was admitted to hospital and remained there for some weeks. The poor fellow almost lost his finger.

Pastor Derek Harris was duly inducted and services continued in the school hall and mid-week meetings in our home. The Fellowship was motivated for building the church and plans were, drawn by Lusaka architects, Dor and Hutt. As soon as the church members had accepted the plans we commenced building; the plot of ground had been paid for, and we had £400 in the bank. The Rev. Derek Harris led the congregation in a dedication service at the site before excavations began for the foundations. My employers, Duly & Co., loaned me a big truck and three or four labourers were employed to assist me in getting building sand. Some we obtained from a site in the country to the north of Lusaka and some from a dry river bed connected to the Kafue River. In addition, quarry firms gave stone and we bought cement to enable us to pour the concrete foundations. A builder loaned us a concrete mixer and 30 to 40 labourers were employed to assist in this task.Onthe day when the concrete was to be poured our Pastor, who had previously been involved in the building trade, was called away urgently. Everything was ready except that we had no-one to supervise the work. Fortunately a man from Umtali (now Mutare), Zimbabwe, walked into my office regarding his account on the day before the concrete was due to be poured. In the course of conversation I told him of my dilemma. Being an ex-builder he offered to supervise the pouring of the concrete into the excavations for the foundation footings the next day. When I arrived to ensure that everything was in order I found the volunteer foreman, the labour and equipment, etc. ready to commence work. I had to return to my office but when I returned to the site at 4.30 pm. I found the work had been completed and the man had left. All I had to do was to pay the labourers for the day's work. I was unable to thank the man for the work he had so willingly done and I have never seen him again. Surely the Lord's hand was in this arrangement. Later the Rev Basil A Medgett came from Ndola to unveil the foundation stone.

As' time went by others became involved in the building work which our Pastor was well able to supervise. We employed bricklayers and labourers to get the project to floor level. I was in charge of the concrete mixing while others, more knowledgeable in the building work than I was, laid and levelled the slab. We had just sufficient funds to lay the slab and the Lord provided all the money and materials as this was needed. The work was supervised morning and evening to ensure that everything was up to standard. The vestries and rooms at the back of the church were built first, enabling us to hold our midweek meetings there instead of in my home. The people were enthusiastic about building the church property and gave of their time and resources enabling us to proceed with the project.

During this period the economy of the farming community and businesses was in a very poor financial state. Because of the nature of my work I spent many hours and days on debt collection which necessitated frequent visits to the bank. Being on good terms with the bank manager I told him of our problem regarding lack of finance to complete the church building and it was arranged that the bank would loan us £1000, with five members of the church standing as guarantors, which made it possible for us to proceed with the building work. This loan, together with gifts of cash and in kind, enabled us to hire bricklayers and materials etc. When the time came to install the windows we found that we had insufficient material: it was discovered that the Architect had made the church longer than had been planned. However, the Lord knew best because in later years, after we had left Zambia, the church had to be enlarged still more to accommodate the growing congregation. Who has despised the Day of Small Things?

The bricklaying took a little longer than anticipated. The plastering was done by contractors, who did a magnificent job. Having completed the plastering of the walls our funds dried up, but the Lord continued to provide. At this particular time the Secretary of the Baptist Union of South Africa came from Johannesburg to pay a visit to the Copperbelt churches and mission stations. He was known to me from the days when I lived in Gweru, Zimbabwe, and so he called on us when passing through Lusaka. After hearing of our predicament, when he returned to Johannesburg he arranged a loan of £1000 to the church to repay the bank loan. God was at work again.

On the Saturday of Easter weekend the Pastor and I were on site putting the finishing touches to the trusses when I remarked that it was hopeless for us two to try and lift these huge wooden rafters onto the walls. Just at that moment a car drew up and out jumped four Christian young men visiting Lusaka from Salisbury (now Harare). They spent the rest of the day helping us raise all the rafters into place. Was this coincidence or God's timing? His help came at a critical moment - I know what I believe!

The structure was now completed but we had no ceiling or lights. God again came to our rescue and a member of the congregation who was a qualified electrician did the wiring and supplied all the light fittings at his own expense. Who prompted this service? We know that it was our great God. A dear elderly member of the congregation was given a contract to demolish some houses and he gave the brandering and the better sheets of ceiling board to the church and so the erection of the ceiling was completed by members of the congregation. The scaffolding was none too safe, we were novices; but the work was finished without serious mishap.

Eventually the great day of opening arrived. Fellow Baptists from Southern and Northern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia) were present. The President of the Baptist Union of Central Africa officiated at the service and it was a time of rejoicing as with grateful hearts we gave thanks to the Lord for providing this lovely building and had only a debt of £1000 owing to the Baptist Union of South Africa. For the opening we were able to borrow an
organ from a musical firm in town and also more chairs as we only possessed 60 of our own at the time. A small organ was ordered from Italy, and the ladies of the congregation worked hard using their talents to raise funds to pay for this. They also raised the money to purchase the material from a firm in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, to make the curtains behind the pulpit which covered the alcove surrounding the baptismal tank. The Rev. Basil Medgett contributed greatly to raising funds for these projects by writing and printing a short history of the Early Church and these were sold to the congregation and anyone interested for ten shillings each and quite a substantial amount of money was raised through the sale of this booklet.

Pastor Derek Harris and his wife, Barbara, were called to a church in Stirling, East London, and left in May 1961. The Rev. Basil Medgett and his wife and family accepted the call to the pastorate and arrived in Lusaka later that year.

We now needed to provide pews for the church and Rev. Basil Medgett contacted the Chief of the Lamba people, who had known him when he ran the Bible School at Fiwale Hill. The Chief donated tree trunks from trees of the forest and these were cut for us by a timber merchant in Lusaka. Members of the congregation used the planks to make our own pews on site.

The local Rabbi, who had watched the progress, said to Rev. Medgett "This is the Church that love built". I would prefer to say "This is the Church that God built, through His loving people."

This is the story of the building and establishing of the Lusaka Baptist Church which has grown into a thriving church family of God's people.

Setting the Gospel Music Record Straight

2011-01-26T01:21:00.000-08:00

Setting the Gospel music record straight

By CHARLES KACHIKOTI

BECAUSE Christians in Zambia and other parts of the world still clash over what Gospel music is or should be, it is necessary to remind all interested parties about those things that are more important than endless debate.

This year has been a remarkable one for Christian music in Zambia. Matthew Ngosa, with the support of his more experienced musical brother Boyd, have managed to catch the ear and eye of every musically sensitive Zambian.

In short, they, with the admirable support of their family and the competent support of one of the singing groups at Northmead Assembly of God in Lusaka, have struck the right nerve in the national soul.
The album in question, Umutima Wandi, has accomplished what at least two generations of Zambian Gospel singers have waited for -- airplay and broad acceptance in secular corners, and congregational use of their songs for church services.
This year alone, the author has heard this music play in public places in such diverse towns as Lusaka, Mansa, Mongu, Mpika and Chipata. On top of that, the album has derailed new but aimless Zambian products from the non-spiritual sector to cling to the number two slot for more than 14 straight weeks on the Sounds Top 10, superseded only by the admittedly powerful and enigmatic Isambo Lyamfwa of the Glorious Band.

These factors make the Ngosa family album an extremely important product for historical reasons, and all the persons who played their part to make the songs what they are on the album deserve acknowledgment for an album of technical and spiritual substance. In case they did not know, they made history in more ways than one.

Lumbani Madoda have proved to have the most disciplined, most compact and most mature musical arrangements on the entire music scene at present. On the heels of Naluntutwe, an album that Christians loved and hated because of the lyrical reworking of P K Chishala’s song Chimbayambaya, this band came up with Mulibakatami. The last album is filled with songs of exceedingly rich praise towards God and a noticeable saxophone, an instrument always rare in Zambian music.

In Kabwe are the Adonai Pentecostal Singers whose worship-flavoured songs are now sung by traditional choirs in such places as Kaliza village in Chipata, not to mention many congregations across the country. This group has that unusual ability to constantly produce songs that become spiritual landmarks among the churches which, technical issues aside, is truly admirable.

The Egea Band, more popularly known as Zaoga (Zambia Assemblies of God in Africa), have played an outstanding role in their rhumba-centred style, building on a trend sparked by the Flaming Fire Band also of Kabwe in the 90s. Zaoga have shown gradual improvement with time. Within that music idiom, Jojo Mwangaza has emerged with a hot-chilli version of rhumba that has a strong appeal mostly among the youths.

Largely on account of these groups, and especially with the impact of Matthew and Boyd Ngosa, more Gospel singers are falling in love with the beauty of local language songs. That is excellent.

Prince Siame exploded on the scene about two years ago with his Kirk Franklinesque beat, paralleling the Reality band that pioneered R & B among Christian groups. The music was noticed and appreciated, though the artistes in question have seemed somewhat unable to follow up on their works to take their audiences a mile further.

Foundation
One of the tragic realities about all kinds of Zambian music is that there is almost no link between the old and the new generations. Looking back, it is possible to see that some individuals and groups of individuals played an important role in laying a reasonable foundation.

Few are aware that in the late 1970s into the early 1980s, Kenny Mwansa and the Golden Voices pioneered modern Gospel. Kenny with such important figures as Abel Mwale were in this group that made recordings of their folk-rock songs which, if reworked today, would command immense influence in the lives of many.

Unfortunately, they did their work in the lean years of Zambian music.

This pair was later to find its feet in the Chawama Baptist Singers, another very popular group whose maturity and unpretentious style gave their music great staying power. Sadly, the married couples in this group did not manage to hold the combination together and disbanded.

It is not that there were no choirs; in fact the 70s were the highpoint in the story of Zambian Gospel choirs. The point here is to focus on modern Zambian Gospel music.

In 1983 the Sowers produced an album River of Life under the leadership of Max Lubinda, an album that contained some memorable songs. This was possibly the first commercial recording of any contemporary Christian band in Zambia, featuring the electrifying vocals of Joe Ziba. The Jesus Generation of Kitwe promisingly sprung to light about the same time as The Sowers of Ndola who in later years were succeeded by The Word.

Ezekiel Shibemba appears on the scene. With the author, he formed the Love Band that from 1986 did four studio recordings in those lean 80s and produced two in the form of albums. This college band ran alongside Wilbur Simuusa and Aggrey Njungu’s Sounds of Faith at a time when it was nearly impossible to record in a local language and expect to be heard.

Ezekiel has gone on to produce solo works, often with a samba flavour. The author has in the meantime led groups such as the eight-member Joymusic into the studios (1993) and the 78-member Tehillah Voice into the studios (1997) apart from teaching voices, guitars and drums in churches.

Vocalist and drummer Musa Kasonka and people like guitarist Wonder Chulu then at Northmead Assembly of God choir played a key role in awakening musical instincts in many a musician. Unacknowledged brilliance that emerged during their time in the 80s includes that of bassist Alex Fundafunda and his rhythm guitarist brother Christian, and bassist Winston Chapa, men capable of reproducing any music under the sun.

Towards the end of the 80s, the Living Waters Band of Kabwe unleashed an album that won the hearts of many, particularly with Ichiwa and Only Jesus Alone. Icine made some noticeable music impact and ended there.

The Revival Band of Lusaka had creative ideas but somehow did not go above sea level.
In English-speaking Baptist circles will be found such rock-steady musical creatives like the unique Charles Bota who has stood alone in his own brand of appetising folk-rock. He needs to hit the studios.

The Psalms Singers of Woodlands Baptist produced a highly skilful piece of work in their 2001 album which, very strangely indeed, did not sell in the mainstream and was therefore broadly unnoticed after several years of polishing from the late 80s.

Fountain of Praise Band in Kitwe will always remember the vastly knowledgeable John Zulu whose talents and training would have played a huge role in transforming and uplifting Zambian Gospel had he not demised earlier in the year. Those who followed the works of the Victory Ministries Band, also of Kitwe, in the 80s and 90s, will remember that guitarist Nicky Kalonda did only one recording and left the country with two invaluable inspirational and worshipful songs like Tulibabomfyi ba Mfumu and Nikwi ningafuma kuchinso chenu?

Also vastly knowledgeable is Chala Tumelo of Ndola, another keyboardist of so far virtually concealed excellence who has quietly taught piano and sheet music to many souls down the years. Considerable experience is also deposited in such persons as Jordan Sichinga whose trail includes Jesus Generation and the Victory Ministries Band.

You cannot avoid referring to the highly expressive Heritage Singers who wowed the nation in the 70s and 80s. They ran into piles of cactus and have not continued, but the legacy of their leader John Mwesa, a trainer of music teachers now based in Kenya, remains. Out of this group have sprung groups like the Heritage Singers Quartet, who seem to have inspired the birth of teams like the Copperbelt based Habbakuk.
Keith Kapembwa emerged towards the end of the lean years with his brand of reggae Gospel, switching to a kalindula-garnished recipe in recent times.

His resilience amid serious adversity makes one sit up and listen. One remembers the ever-present but rather static Mufulira outfit Buntemwe Singers who have been around for nearly two decades.

If only our music recording and marketing outfits were more imaginative and more visionary, they would find much help in collecting, reproducing or re-recording some of the gems of Zambian Gospel music history.

Certain rumblings about the countryside would indicate that some of the veterans are about to return to the studio and the stage. The country definitely needs that, if only to lend weight and stability to the present scenario.
Trends

It is of great interest to the author that some church choirs have used music teachers from the New Apostolic Faith to teach them to sing.

The result is that traditional choirs like those of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) for instance have polished remarkably. It is so even in the rurals where the author has seen teen choirs with sopranos as young as seven sing with such sheen as though they were graduates of music colleges.

Again, our music marketing outfits should not waste time and bribes in over-promoting fake musicians who have nothing more to offer and look at the entire country and the entire Church. There is a wealth of music imagination waiting to be captured and hoisted to the sky out there.

Emotions
So then, those believers and their churches that have taken a stand against contemporary Gospel music merely show the world that the Body of Christ has a basic problem with handling people’s emotions.

Our expressive disposition as Africans is God-given, not Satan-given. That has to be agreed about because the debate in church about Gospel music is a debate about culture. It is not a spiritual debate but a cultural clash.

The bulk of the missionaries who came to Zambia long ago came from Europe. They were normally stoic and staid, often glum with gloom, not because of the Bible but because of the stiff royal and cultural traditions and mannerisms of their countries. They imposed that on many of us in founding the church denominations we have today.

They did not know that in music there are three basic elements of melody, harmony and rhythm. They did not know that the Orient (Middle and Far East cultures) are strongest in melody, the Western (white people) are strongest in harmony, and blacks are strongest in rhythm.
Therefore, when the African cries he truly lets it out. When the African rejoices she truly lets it out. These are the deeper meanings of umusowa and nthungulu.
Africans dance and stamp their feet, and weave their bodies like no other race can. This in itself is not from Satan but from God.

But while Jesus Christ came to set men and women free, right in the place where His Word is preached, people who are in the pain of all kinds of frustration should not wail but be dignified. Is Church a hospital where every wounded soul should heal, or a concentration camp where every wounded soul should perish?

Those who are overwhelmed by what God has done for them should not clap, not dance but be dignified. Even if Psalm 149:3 and Psalm 150:4 are clear commands that people dance before their God!

This is why we continue to mishandle those who mourn because we fail to mourn with them; we prefer to scold and flatten them with hard, holy-sounding sayings. This is why we frown on those who come to church bubbling with joy, standing ready to flatten their overflowing exuberance before their God.

Some even teach that songs do not come from God but people merely put sounds together. Job 35:10 says God gives people songs in the night, night meaning the literal night when people think hard about life and living, and night meaning times of immense sorrow.
This is why the church worldwide stumbles over Kirk Franklin, a vibrant black American singer who has hauled into one festive mould former drug addicts, prostitutes, gangsters and all those friends of Jesus that churches want to avoid, singing and dancing to the glory of God.

Go and observe the teen choirs deep in our rural areas, many of those who sing and dance do so on empty stomachs because they manage only one meal a day; on broken hearts because parents are dead and they are not in school; on perplexed minds because big sister is terminally ill. But they still love Jesus! Take that away from them and what do they remain with?

We Christians keep quarrelling about the drowning man. Some want to save him by throwing a log or a float at him. Others want to throw a rope and hope he catches it so they pull him to the boat. Yet others want to shout at him what he should do. Then there are those who want to dive in and take him out. Why not let people do what is best and save that person?

Nay, Zambia is a nation in mourning. All Christian singers and musicians of Zambia should therefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, arise and sing a new song with a new heart.

Do not sing to prove yourself, or to exalt yourself, or to disgrace or outflank someone. There is far too much hurt and pain all around you. There is far too much loss and suffering.

Fellow Levites, use the opportunity; sing to touch, sing to heal. Sing to assure, sing to comfort. Sing to save, sing to liberate. Sing to guide, sing to direct. Sing to teach, sing to alert. Sing to provoke, sing to inspire. If you sing together, you will sing forever. Zambia is listening.

Integrating Sustainable Development in TVET:Case of Mobile Mission Maintenance Vocational Training Centre, Ndola, Zambia

2011-01-15T05:42:00.000-08:00

In the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Zambia, some attempts have been made to apply sustainable development at the institutional level. This paper looks at the practice of integrating entrepreneurship in TVET carried out by the Mobile Mission Maintenance Vocational Training Centre (MMMVTC) in Ndola, Zambia. The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which MMMVTC had integrated the principles of education for sustainable development (ESD) in its skills development programmes.

The specific objectives of the study were:
1. To examine the definition of sustainable development as used by the centre;
2. To examine how entrepreneurship training in TVET has incorporated economic, social and environmental issues;
3. To identify methods that trainers use to deliver sustainable development;
4. To highlight some of the best practices that the MMMVTC employs in entrepreneurship training with respect to economic, social and environmental issues;
5. To identify barriers and challenges faced by the centre in integrating economic, social and environmental issues in entrepreneurship training;
6. To identify the business case for integrating ESD in the entrepreneurship training programmes.

The study used a series of interviews and a questionnaire to collect data. The first phase was a 45-minute interview conducted with the training manager of MMMVTC. The second phase was a questionnaire that was distributed to three members of staff: one from the administration and two from the teaching staff.
The study found that the staff at the centre defined sustainable development as ‘development of both the social and economic areas that impact positively on citizens and the graduate applying their skills in society to reduce poverty’. Members of staff stated that the relevance of sustainable development was that ‘the training was useful to the graduate and the community’. The methods used to deliver sustainable development in the training programmes are students carrying out projects, forming student companies and an emphasis on practical work. The study found that the most severe barriers were: financial restrictions; the requirements of professional associations; internal accreditation and validation systems; the reality of a future career conflicts with sustainability teaching; lack of staff expertise and the need to acquire new knowledge; lack of staff awareness; and lack of academic rigour/misunderstanding. The knowledge and skills identified by the respondents that could ensure that graduates lived and worked in a sustainable way included knowing about the relevance of
sustainable development as a way to avoid conflicts in their future.

The study recommended that UNEVOC in Bonn, Germany, should collaborate with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) to hold awareness workshops and produce publications on sustainable development for training institutions and those involved in TVET. Technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training policy and TVET curricula need to address issues of sustainable development.

It was also recommended that MMMVTC should employ different approaches in order to integrate ESD in TVET, such as plays, publications like magazines and talks by people from organizations that are implementing sustainable development effectively. To incorporate sustainable development in teaching programmes, MMMVTC also needed to procure materials on sustainable development available through UNEVOC and the Internet. These materials should provide simple and practical approaches on the incorporation of sustainable development in teaching programmes. It was also recommended that TEVETA should ensure that all curricula have aspects of sustainable development integrated in them. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, as the policy-maker,
and UNEVOC need to ensure that sustainable development is popularized. They should also provide a policy framework for the integration of sustainable development in TVET institutions. Further, it was recommended that UNEVOC should identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required for the development of ESD skills. These needed to be integrated in TVET documents, such as the policy documents, strategy papers and curricula.

Complete paper is available from:
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/CS_vol2_ESD_Africa_Final.pdf

Overview of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Africa

2010-12-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

TVET systems in Africa differ from nation to nation. This is due to the different socio-economic conditions of the nations. In addition TVET is delivered at different levels in different type of institutions. These are Technical Vocational Schools, Polytechnics, Enterprises and Apprenticeship Training Centres. This is to enable trainees from various backgrounds to access training suitable to their needs. It has been stated that the socioeconomic environment and the contextual framework in which TVET delivery systems currently operate in Africa is characterized, in general, by:

• Uncoordinated, unregulated and fragmented delivery systems
TVET provision spread over different ministries e.g. In Zambia the key ministries are:
Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training (MSTVT);
Ministry of Education (MOE); and
Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development (MSYCD).

• Low quality
In general, the quality of training is low with undue emphasis on theory and certification rather than on skills acquisition and proficiency testing;

• Shrinking or stagnant wage employment opportunities especially in the industrial sector
In many African countries, with the notable exception of Mauritius and South Africa, about 85% of the workforce is in the informal, non-wage employment sector. This labour force distribution pattern needs to be kept in mind when developing national TVET policies and strategies.

• Geographical, gender and economic inequities
The good TVET institutions are located in the big towns and cities. In Zambia this is true with the leading TVET institutions found in the Copperbelt, Lusaka and Southern provinces which are along the line of rail.

• Poor public perception
TVET in Africa is considered as a career path for the less academically endowed. In addition, entry requirements in TVET institutions are normally lower than that of academic institutions.

• Inadequate financing, poor management and ill-adapted organisational structures
The diverse TVET management structures and the sharing of supervisory responsibilities by various government bodies and ministries account for some of the inefficiencies in the system like duplication and segmentation of training and the absence of common platform for developing coherent policies and joint initiatives.

• Weak monitoring and evaluation
Current training programmes in many African nations are supply driven. TVET programmes are very often not designed to meet observed or projected labour market demands (African Union, 2007:22-25). However, some promising practices in the provision of TVET have emerged and are emerging. The next section considers some of these.

Promising Best Practices
There are some promising best practices in TVET in Africa. Some of these innovative best practices are:

a. Ghana: Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) which oversees all TVET activities.

b. Kenya: Kenyan NGO SITE (Strengthening Informal Training and Enterprise) – Improved traditional apprenticeship training using master craftsperson's.

c. South Africa: National Qualifications Framework (NQF) – mechanism for awarding qualifications based on achievement of specified learning outcomes.

eLearning Africa Conference in Zambia

2010-12-31T00:43:00.000-08:00

eLearning Africa was launched five years ago in Addis Ababa in 2006. Successive conferences took place in Nairobi (2007), Accra (2008), and Dakar (2009).
eLearning Africa 2010, the Fifth International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, was held in Lusaka, Zambia from 26 to 28 May 2010 under the patronage of the Zambian Minister of Education, the Honorable Ms Dora Siliya.
With nearly 350 speakers from approximately 48 countries, 4 plenary sessions, 60 sessions in 10 parallel conference strands, 17 demonstrations and best practice examples, 10 Insaka sessions, 21 pre-conference events and a number of exciting features, eLearning Africa proved to be once again a landmark in pan-African capacity building for ICT-enhanced education and training.

eLearning Africa 2010 was actively supported by the Zambia National eLA Committee, which brought together a broad range of public, private and community based groupings in the preparation and organisation of the event. The opening ceremony was chaired by Hon. Dora Siliya, MP, Minister of Education, Zambia and was expected to be officially opened by President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency
Rupiah Bwezani Banda. Due to a family bereavement HE Mr. Banda was unable to be present but was well represented by his Vice-President, Hon. George Kunda.

Before HE Vice-President of Zambia made his welcome speech, three speakers made plenary presentations. These were:

1) The Rt Rev Dr Solomon. Tilewa Johnson, Anglican Bishop of Gambia on the topic “The
Online Social Education of Youth and the Digital Challenge to African Values”.

2) Stephen Dukker, CEO, NComputing, USA, on Desktop Virtualization: Bringing Green
Computing and eInclusion to Africa”.

3) Shafika Isaacs, Independent ICT4D Consultant, South Africa, on Failure, Ignorance and
Education System Transformation: Towards an Attitude of Wisdom”.

The keynote speakers attempted to relate how technology is changing the lives of millions of African citizens. Both on an educational and a social level, growing expectations and smarter technology call for an attitude shift. Inspiring keynote speakers from all levels of society shared their experiences with green computing, eInclusion and educational transformation, moving "towards an attitude of wisdom".
This session was concluded by the welcome speech of the Vice-President of Zambia who
highlighted his countries engagement on ICTs for development and welcomed all participants.

The conference consisted of 10 parallel sessions within a block of time such as before and after coffee and lunch break. As such only lectures/demonstrations can be attended sometimes by running from one session to another depending on the topical interest of the participant. So Mr. Engida, the author of this article, had the opportunity to attend and learn for the following sessions:

a) Policy Development
This session was exploring effective institutional policies on the nature and use of ICTs in schools and municipalities, as well as policies on open and distance eLearning across the Africancontinent. In particular, Gabriel S. Konayuma’s presentation on “Analysis of eLearning and Distance Learning Policies in Zambia” was worth-mentioning. The study employed the tool of 6 C’s of policy options (Concentration, Clarity, Changeability, Challenge, Coordination, and Consistency) to analyze the policy making process and content of distance Learning and eLearning policies in Zambia. It was emphasized that having a good policy is not the end of the
road in policy making. It’s just the beginning. The real work starts once the policy is launched. That is where consultation and collaboration become a key issue. African nations have a lot to learn from each other and outside Africa on how to implement good and effective ODL and eLearning policies.

b) Showcasing Mobile Learning in Africa
This session highlighted a range of inspiring projects and showcases how mobile learning is moving forward in Africa. The presenters from Kenya and South Africa illustrated how mobile phones have become a successful tool in the battle against illiteracy, and how health workers, medical students and teachers have come to depend on the benefits of mobile learning. They all illustrated how the mobile phone has become useful particularly in areas where Internet access is absent or limited. They all used the mobile phone in connection with the opensource software Moodle.

c) Capacity Development
The presentation in this session focused on how to leverage ICTs for capacity development in Africa? How can African academic institutions take full advantage of Open and Distance Learning? How do you weave the fabric of a successful capacity development program in eLearning? There were five presentations in this sessions dealing with ICT for capacity development issues in Zambia, Senegal, the SADC region, Zimbabwe, and the University of South Africa (UNISA). Of particular interest was the presentation by Mr. Richard Siaciwena, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, Botswana. He pointed out that as a means of achieving its objectives SADC has committed itself to, among other things, promoting the development of human resources. Education and skills development has therefore been identified as an area of cooperation necessary for developing knowledge, attitudes, appropriate and relevant skills and human capacities necessary to promote investment, efficiency and competitiveness. In this context, Mr. Siaciwena added, the SADC Secretariat is implementing a Capacity Building in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Project, with financial support from the African Development Bank. It is a five year project whose main purpose is to contribute to the development and deployment of effective, harmonized ODL, to increase access to quality education and training and support regional integration across SADC (African Development Fund 2006). The project was launched in June 2007 and implementation commenced in April 2008.

d) Evening Plenary
This plenary session was chaired by Hon.Dr. Kapembwa Simbao, MP, Minister of Health,
Zambia. The plenary speakers were:
• Hon. Prof Geoffrey Lungwangwa, MP, Minister of Communication and Transport/ Zambia on “Importance of ICTs for Socioeconomic Development in Africa”
• Tarkan Maner, Wyse Technology/ USA on “The Impact of IT and Communication Trends on
Education and Social Change”
• Astrid Dufborg, SPIDER/ Sweden on “A Nationwide eHealth System with an In-Built eLearning Approach”
• Thabani Tonny Khupe, Intel Corporation/ South Africa on “Implementing Successful eLearning Programmes and Policies”
All speakers underlined, from different perspectives, the importance of technology and communication for social change. Discussing the latest technological developments and eLearning programs, the keynotes highlighted the opportunities that sustainable ICTs bring to education and eLearning in Africa.
Temechegn Engida
Programme Officer, ICT in Education
UNESCO-IICBA, Addis Ababa

eLearning Africa Conference in Senegal

2010-12-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

The 4th eLearning Africa Conference was held in Dakar, Senegal under the Patronage of the Senegalese Republic. The Conference was officially opened by the President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade. A total of 1315 participants from 85 countries, including ministers, officials, academics and business people from all over Africa and beyond, gathered in Dakar for the conference under the President's patronage to exchange ideas about expanding educational technologies in their communities. The Zambian delegation was led by then Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Hon. Gabriel Namulambe, who also presented a paper at a plenary session on 29th May. Participants were drawn from government ministries (Education; Science, Technology and Vocational Training; and Communications and Transport; ZESCO and eLearning Zambia

The programme had 60 parallel sessions, 4 plenary sessions, 20 best practice demonstrations, 19 pre-conference events, 336 speakers and chairpersons from approximately 50 countries. The conference was held in both English and French.
eLearning Africa is a comprehensive conference on ICT for development, education and training in Africa. Its mission is to bring people together who are actively engaged in education and in the implementation of learning technologies in schools, universities and other higher institutions of learning, corporate training as well as in education in the public sector. Participants are high-level decision-makers such as Ministers of Education and Training, representatives from government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), development agencies and international organisations, senior executives from businesses, as well as practitioners from all fields of education. Participant figures for the annual event have grown significantly – from 832 at the debut event in 2006 in Addis Ababa to 1315 delegates at the fourth conference in Dakar, Senegal in May 2009. Attendees come from more than 80 countries in Africa and the wider globe. A total of 80 percent of the delegates come from the Africa. Each year a different African country serve as the venue. Past conferences have been held in Ethiopia (2006), Kenya (2007) and Ghana (2008).

The eLearning Africa Conference was officially opened by The President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade on 28th May 2009. President Wade outlined his vision for radical change in African education. He also stated that technology now allowed African students unlimited access to the best universities in the world. The President outlined his plans for technological advances, particularly in higher education, and emphasised that information and communication technologies (ICTs) could speed up the learning process. He also spoke of his determination to improve standards by ensuring that African universities obtain internationally recognised accreditation.

On 27th May 2009, pre-conference events were held. These events comprised a full-day programme of workshops conducted by leading eLearning practitioners precedes the eLearning Africa Conference. These small, intensive sessions offer attendees a unique opportunity to fine-tune their skills and acquire new ones. Among the events held was the third UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Summit on “Access and Inclusion: Improving TVET through ICT-Based Information and Learning Solutions” and the African Virtual University (AVU) eLearning Day. Other workshops and seminars were “Storytelling @ eLearning Africa” hosted by Tim Unwin of the Royal Holloway University of London, UK; “Universities 2.0: Global Learning Organisations?,” a half-day workshop held jointly by several African universities and leading distance-learning centres.

UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Summit
The UNESCO Summit, held on 28th May, brought together 100 education experts from various countries in Africa and around the world, including TVET policy makers, researchers and practitioners, to share experiences and discuss strategies and implementation mechanisms for the integration and sustainable use of ICTs in TVET.
It featured a variety of innovative TVET initiatives and projects, including
• Open and distance learning (ODL) / ICT to expand and improve the teaching and learning in community health nursing (CHN);
• Radio for development;
• Mobile learning;
• Quality certification for e-learning in capacity building; and
• Online knowledge sharing in the area of education for the world of work.
The Summit addressed the following questions, among others:
• What are the benefits of using ICTs in TVET?
• What is the current status of e-learning and ICTs in African TVET? Who is active in the field? Who are the pioneers on the ground?
• What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of ICTs in TVET in Africa?
• What are the lessons learnt in developed countries and how can they be applied to Africa?

A number of papers were made addressing the above issues and questions. The author, a Senior TEVET Officer at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, presented a paper on Distance Learning and e-Learning in TVET in Zambia. In addition to examining and promoting the use of ICTs in TVET in Africa, the TVET Summit also initiated the creation of a community of practitioners that will foster the strengthening of TVET through the integration of ICTs.

Relevance of Entrepreneurship Training in a Market Driven Economy

2010-12-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Entrepreneurship training is relevant in a market-driven economy for a number of reasons.

Some of these are:

(a) It develops creativity and innovation that are required for one to take advantage of the business opportunities offered in a market-driven economy;

(b) It exposes students to successful role models and highlights the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome;

(c) It provides students with knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable them to create wealth and jobs in a market-driven economy;

(d) It provides students with confidence to become entrepreneurs in a challenging market environment.

Recommendations for Improving Entrepreneurship Training in Zambia

In order to strengthen entrepreneurship training in Zambia and other African countries there is need to vocationalise general education, set up business incubators in communities, include aspects of psychology of would be and actual entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship training and document best practices in entrepreneurship training in Zambia and other African nations.

Vocationalising General Education
Vocational education and entrepreneurship training needs to be introduced in the general education system. This should be done from nursery school preferably. Introducing entrepreneurship training at an early stage is important for those pupils that may not proceed beyond grades 7, 9 or 12. In addition, entrepreneurship and vocational education when studied much earlier will form a good foundation for trainees that enter the TEVET system at grades 9 or 12.

Establishing Entrepreneurship Development Centres
Trainees need good models for their entrepreneurship training. Entrepreneurship theory needs the backing of business incubators to offer business support and role models to budding entrepreneurs. Zambia has had entrepreneurship development centres in the past. Lessons learnt from the operation of these centres can be used to improve the functioning of the setting up of new ones. These centres should provide all the moral support, technical and business support so that a trainee can have a good start in their enterprise. In addition, training institutions need to be entrepreneurial in their management and how they operate. This acts as a practical living example to trainees who can relate the entrepreneurship theory to what they see in the business management of their institution. Twin Palm Fountain College in Southern Province offers practical business management training to its’ trainees. They are provided with livestock and a garden to grow vegetables which are then sold to the college or the community. The trainees are able to use the funds realised to subside for their tuition fees.

Teaching Psychology in Entrepreneurship Training
The psychological make-up or mindset of an entrepreneur is important in determining whether an entrepreneur will succeed or not. Trainees from various family, educational, tribal and racial backgrounds have different ways of conducting business. As entrepreneurship involves high levels of risk taking and innovation, trainees need to have their mental capacity boosted. Hisrich (2005:20) states that the skills required by entrepreneurs can be classified into three main areas: technical skills, business management skills, and personal entrepreneurial skills. These skills need to be well and consistently taught in order to develop a well-rounded entrepreneur.

Documenting Best Practices in Entrepreneurship Training
Documenting best practices in entrepreneurship training is key to ensuring that trainers have examples that they can emulate.

In Zambia, the Teachers Vocational Training Centre (TVTC) is one of the promising institutions practicing best practices in entrepreneurship training. The centre trains trainers for vocational institutions in Zambia. Entrepreneurship at TVTC has been mainstreamed by:
• Integrating entrepreneurship in college’s curricula
• Developing a diploma in Entrepreneurship
• Designing short tailor-made courses that are both standardized and customized.

TVTC has also converted a conference centre into a fully fledged business centre. The research and consultancy forms the business wing of the college. This is an example of a training institution being entrepreneurial. TVTC also has embarked on having some of it’s trainers undertaking Master’s in Business Administration programme. The college plans to develop an Entrepreneurship Centre which will be a visible structure for trainees to get business incubation. Plans are also underway to develop links with relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion
This article has discussed the relevance of entrepreneurship in a market-driven economy. Recommendations have been made to improve entrepreneurship training in Zambia. These were: vocationalising general education, establishing entrepreneurship development centres, teaching psychology in entrepreneurship training and documenting best practices in entrepreneurship training. In order to ensure that entrepreneurship training is relevant in a market-driven economy there is need to ensure that a holistic curriculum review is undertaken to ensure that entrepreneurship is taught and caught at all levels of the education system. This will then enable students in schools to have strong entrepreneurial capabilities, self reliant, be outward looking and enterprising, so that they take advantage of potential and available opportunities (Government of the Republic of Zambia, 2006:2).

Entrepreneurship Training in Zambia

2010-12-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

In the pre-independence days in Zambia, there were a very small number of businessmen who could be called entrepreneurs. By the time of independence, Zambia did not have businessmen and women who were experienced in handling complex businesses. African businesses only started to grow when a cash economy became the standard for business transactions. Zambia gained its independence with a less than well-developed African bourgeoisie, ill-equipped to administer the economy (Chipungu, 1992:174-175). Entrepreneurship in Zambia has arisen due to a number of factors. Some have started enterprises due to retrenchments as a consequence of privatisation of parastatal firms between 1992 and 1999 (Konayuma, 2006: 29). Others have become entrepreneurs to supplement their incomes in order to meet family budget needs. A number of government ministries have policies that support entrepreneurship development. These include the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Policy, the Youth Policy, the Commercial, Trade and Industrial Policy and the Labour and Social Security Policy.

Entrepreneurship training is a relatively new concept. Some people believe that entrepreneurs are born and that it people cannot be taught to become entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneurs would argue that to a certain extent this may be true, but many skills, which are needed for success, can most definitely be learned. Some entrepreneurs may wish that they had been given the opportunity! Entrepreneurship training is useful in proving tomorrow's employers the training they need to create new business prospects. Over the past decade entrepreneurship has been taught as a stand-alone subject in TEVET institutions in Zambia. However, the Technical Training, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) recently organised workshops where trainers from TEVET institutions were trained in integrating entrepreneurship into various training programmes (Konayuma, 2006:6).

Entrepreneurship training has generally been absent from the primary, secondary and university training. At universities, it is offered mostly to students that are doing business studies. Thus entrepreneurship is not viewed as a tool that can be used to develop innovative and creative skills in students that can lead them to become entrepreneurs. In TEVET sector though, entrepreneurship has been taught for the past fifteen years as a stand-alone subject and more recently it has been integrated into the various curricula. Is entrepreneurship training as it is taught in the TEVET sector relevant in Zambia’s economy which is market -driven? It is important at this stage to consider a working definition of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is the process whereby an individual or a group of individuals uses organised efforts and means to pursue opportunities to create value and growth by fulfilling wants and needs through innovation and uniqueness, no matter what resources are currently controlled (Robbins and Coulter, 2004:43).

Some of the major challenges to entrepreneurship training include:

Inadequate Entrepreneurship Trainers: TEVETA has made efforts to address the issue of inadequate trainers in entrepreneurship. This has been by organising training of trainers workshops at which experts in entrepreneurship have taken participants through aspects of entrepreneurship training and integration of entrepreneurship into the training programmes. Some institutions have applied the lessons learnt into their institutions while others have not yet begun to integrate entrepreneurship training in their programmes. At a consultative forum held for institutions under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, it was noted that a number of them were still struggling to implement the guidelines on entrepreneurship training in the TEVET Policy and TEVET Policy Strategy Paper.

Lack of Appropriate Training Materials: Though some training providers have made efforts to develop training materials, there still remains need for learning materials to be developed that are based on the TEVETA approved curriculum. Some institutions have bought Entrepreneurship textbooks that TEVETA offered for sale. Currently TEVETA has advertised for consultants to develop learning materials for trainees in TEVET. It is hoped that these materials will best suit the needs of trainees and enable them gain a better understanding of the entrepreneurial competencies in the curricula.

Lack of Appreciation of Entrepreneurship Training: A number of trainees undertake vocational training with the belief that they will get employed after graduation. Not many see themselves becoming self-employed immediately after graduation. Some do not see the benefits of entrepreneurship training. This is also extended to trainers who feel that trainees only need technical skills and not entrepreneurship training. In addition, it is not easy for trainers who are not entrepreneurial to appreciate entrepreneurship training. The same applies for training providers that are not entrepreneurial. They would not be appropriate role models for the trainees (Konayuma, 2006:8).

Poor Entrepreneurial Culture
Building an ‘Entrepreneurial culture’ to promote the right kind of entrepreneurship in our Zambia and Africa as a whole calls for good strategies. Entrepreneurs like any other set of people thrive most where they are recognized most. The entrepreneurial culture in Zambia is still growing. This could be attributed to business practices among Zambians before independence. In the pre-independence days in Zambia, there were a very small number of businessmen who could be called entrepreneurs. By the time of independence, Zambia did not have businessmen and women who were experienced in handling complex businesses. African businesses only started to grow when a cash economy became the standard for business transactions. Zambia gained its independence with a less than well-developed African bourgeoisie, ill-equipped to administer the economy (Chipungu, 1992:174-175).

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity and Change

2010-12-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

This article discusses the inter-relatedness of entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and change. This is done by first defining each of these terms and examining how inter-related they are.

DEFINITIONS

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is defined as the process whereby an individual or a group of individuals uses organised efforts and means to pursue opportunities to create value and growth by fulfilling wants and needs through innovation and uniqueness, no matter what resources are currently controlled (Robbins and Coulter, 2004:43).

Innovation
Innovation involves finding new and better ways of doing things that are commercialised (Rwigema and Venter, 2004:113). This is similar to Zimmerer and Scarborough (2005:35) who define innovation as the ability to apply creative solutions to problems and opportunities to enrich people’s lives. Drucker (2002:96) defines it as the effort to create purposeful focussed change in an enterprise’s social or economic potential.

Creativity
Creativity is the ability to develop new ideas and to discover new ways of looking at problems and opportunities (Zimmerer and Scarborough, 2005:35). This is similar to Robbins and Coulter (2004:354) definition of creativity as the ability to combine ideas in a unique way or to make unusual associations between ideas.

Change
Change is any alterations in people, structure, or technology (Robbins and Coulter, 2004:338).

INTER-RELATEDNESS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION, CREATIVITY AND CHANGE

Creativity and Innovation
Creativity and innovation are two major components for entrepreneurs. The creative process fits into the innovation process. The first step in the innovative process begins by searching for innovation. The creative process links the first step to the second step of evaluating the opportunity (Nieman et al., 2006:350).

Nieman et al., (2006:351) state that creativity deals with getting an idea, while innovation relates to implementing the idea. Creativity is thinking new things, and innovation is doing new things. Entrepreneurs succeed by thinking and doing new things or old things in new ways (Zimmerer and Scarborough, 2005:35). Entrepreneurship requires innovation.

Without entrepreneurship, no innovation can occur. Entrepreneurship and creativity are pre-requisites for innovation (Nieman et. al., 2006:351). Without entrepreneurship, no innovation can occur, as entrepreneurship is the means by which innovation can take place. Entrepreneurship and creativity are pre-requisites for innovation. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training has a Department of Vocational Education and Training. This department has an Entrepreneurship unit which organises entrepreneurship and innovation fairs for students in vocational training institutions. This is in realisation that entrepreneurship is a fertile breeding ground for innovation.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity and Change
Both entrepreneurship and innovation have to do with creating value for the customer. To stay ahead of competitors, entrepreneurs must regularly generate new or revamped products and ideas to better serve the customer. An entrepreneur needs to make improvements in both technology and procedures. By doing things differently and better, entrepreneurs create new value. Innovation then becomes a means of exploiting a market opportunity (Rwigema and Venter, 2004:113). A group of ex-miners in the Copperbelt of Zambia came up with stem-cartridges used in explosives (for mining activities) by using local ingredients. Previously these products were sourced from South Africa. The ex-miners thus exploited a market opportunity using innovation. Their products have been awarded International Standard Certification.

It should be noted too, that entrepreneurship is the result of a disciplined systematic process of applying creativity and innovation to needs and opportunities in the marketplace (Zimmerer and Scarborough, 2005:36). Customers will have varying needs and problems. For example, a growing town may attract fresh graduates from colleges and universities to new job opportunities. These may be demanding jobs that leave little time for them to prepare food at their homes. An entrepreneur needs to seize this opportunity in the market by coming up with creative and innovative ways of meeting the needs of these young workers. This could be done by preparation of quick meals or hot meals that could be home delivered. Examples of entrepreneurs taking advantage of the needs of customers are the City Lodges and Formula 1 Hotels in South Africa. These hospitality outfits were established with a view of meeting the needs of cost conscious travellers that do not want to spend a lot of money on unwanted extras like lunches and dinners and porters and waiters. Formula 1 hotels are situated close to bus and rail stations and other important places like banks, shopping centres and conference venues. The founders (entrepreneurs) of these hospitality outfits have shown innovation and creativity and adopted change in the way the hospitality industry is run to the satisfaction of their customers needs.

Creativity and innovation are vital for a firm’s growth and success in a rapidly changing business environment. Entrepreneurs are characterised by creative thinking. Entrepreneurs need to be both creative and innovative. This will enable them to respond to change by coming up with new products that meet customer needs. An intrapreneurial organisation will have an environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Such an organisation is able to respond to change well as it encourages internal entrepreneurship. For entrepreneurs, creativity and innovation are useful in successful competing with larger businesses. Zimmerer and Scarborough (2005:35) state that creativity and innovation often lie at the heart of small companies’ ability to compete successfully with their larger rivals. Small companies can create powerful, effective competitive advantages over big companies by “out-creating” and “out-innovating” them.

CONCLUSION

This article defined the terms: entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and change. The inter-relatedness of these terms was then discussed with relevant examples given.

2010 SOLA 5 Conference

2010-12-21T02:37:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Sola 5 Conference was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. Each year the conference aims to take place in a different country and province. Last year the Conference was held in Johannesburg in South Africa. This year the Conference met in Harare under the auspices of the Harare Reformed Baptist Church and its pastor Joseph Soko, greatly assisted by Jeff Gage and the Free Grace Baptist Church in Boksburg, South Africa. Many of the people are unemployed and struggle to make ends meet, yet despite these challenges, this church had invited us all to meet with them. Zimbabwe, which means house of stones (the remants which are found in Masvingo in Southern Zimbabwe), is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa with a population of about 13 million.

Zimbabwe which got independence in 1980, had from about 2003 been experiencing a downward trend in the economy to a point where it had one of the world's highest inflation rates. The price of simple items such as bread was about 1 billion Zimbabwean dollars! However, from the time a power sharing Governemnt between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvingirai was formed in 2008, things have greatly improved at least economically and one would say politically, though things are still fragile. One of the measures implemented was the replacement of the use of the local currency by South African Rands and United States Dollars. Harare, refered to as the Sunshine city, is the capital city of Zimbabwe. It is a beautiful city with modern well designed buildings in the Central business district. A brother from South Africa observed about the architectural design "It's as if the architects were told not to limit their creativity when designing buildings" while a sister from Zambia commented on Harare "I love this city!"

The Sola 5 Conference was held at Louis Mountbatten School in the western direction of Harare. Sola 5 is an association of God centered churches in Southern Africa. The association exists for the mutual encouragement of likeminded churches (Baptist and Reformed), for the promotion of missions (through church planting) and theological education. The hosts of the Conference were Harare Reformed Baptist Church which meets at a primary school in Rugare. A total of about 180 delegates attended the Conference came from Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. During the 4 days of the Conference, from 2nd to 5th September 2010, the Bible was preached, mission reports were heard, ‘business’ matters were attended to and a time in close fellowship was spent.

The theme of the Conference was “God’s Grace Today” – an exposition of the doctrines of Grace. On Thursday evening, Conrad Mbewe of Zambia preached on the Sovereign Nature of God. He preached under candlelight due to power failure. On Friday morning Theo Soko of Harare Reformed Baptist Church preached on the sinful nature of man. In the afternoon Kobus van der Walt of South Africa preached on the specific nature of salvation. On Saturday morning Laban Mwashekele of Namibia preached on the successful nature of Christ’s work. Jeff Gage of South Africa preached on the supernatural nature of God’s Grace in the afternoon. On Sunday, the last day of the Conference, Victor Kanyense of Zambia preached on the steadfast nature of the Christian’s enablement.

The next SOLA 5 conference in 2011 will be held in Livingstone in Zambia. Livingstone is home to Victoria Falls, one of the wonders of the world! Make plans to be there! The 2012 Conference is planned for Swaziland.

Visit to Mauritius – the Honeymooner’s Paradise

2010-09-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

Getting to Mauritius
Mauritius has often been referred to as the honeymooner’s paradise. This is a claim that I often wondered how credible it was. A visit to Mauritius in December 2009 convinced me that indeed Mauritius has the right to make that claim. It is an island in Africa nicely perched on the Indian Ocean with beautiful coral reefs (see first photo below). I travelled to Mauritius on 14th December 2009 to attend a UNESCO Validation Workshop on Case Studies on Education for Sustainable Development. I left Lusaka for Johannesburg using South African Airways in the morning. Later in the evening I boarded Air Mauritius at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to Mauritius. I arrived in Mauritius at 20 00 hours after a four hour flight. At the airport in Mauritius I was met by Jerome a Tourism student in Mauritius. As I entered the vehicle I was given a wet face cloth to wipe my face and a bottle of mineral water to quench my thirst. This was the first time ever that I received such warm hospitality at an airport. On the way to the Golden Nest hotel in Quatres Bornes where we were booked, Jerome gave me a very good tourist guide of Mauritius in a nutshell.

Workshop Activities
The UNESCO Workshop was on Case Studies on Education for Sustainable Development. Participants were drawn from Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland and Zambia (see photo below). The purpose of the workshop was to validate the case studies with guidance of a Consultant. The workshop was held at the Industrial Vocational Training Board headquarters in the conference room. It was an intensive two days of hard work where we started at 09 00 and ended the day at about 18 00 on both days.

Mauritian Night
On Monday night we were treated to a Mauritian night. This was organized and hosted by students at the Tourism and Hospitality School (see photo below). The night consisited of “live cooking” of Mauritian food (see last photo below), Mauritian music, some running DVD showcasing Mauritian tourism. The food was very nice. Especially the assorted vegetables and fruits and for those that love sea food it was in abundance. Later we had a tour of the school.

Shopping and sightseeing
As earlier indicated above, the workshop was so busy that we had little time to shop and sightsee. But what is a man to do who has four young children who expect something bought for them from a foreign nation? I squeezed in at least thirty minutes in the afternoon to buy some clothes and a few items for my wife and kids from the market and shops. Later after the workshop ended I went straight to the ocean to have a look at the Indian Ocean. Fortunately one of the students came along with me and so I was also able to have photos taken of me at the ocean. Later with some participants we visited some other towns including the capital city Port Louis using a taxi. It was possible to do this because Mauritius is a small nation, about 65km long and 45 km wide!

Impressions of Mauritius
Though my stay in Mauritius was brief, I had a number of lasting impressions. These are:
Firstly, the warm and natural hospitality. Right from the time I boarded Air Mauritius, to the time I landed, checked in at my hotel, participated in the workshop, went shopping and sight-seeing, the warm hospitality of the Mauritians was unmistakable. It is something that strikes you and makes you feel at home.

Secondly, the serious tourist activities. Mauritius has serious and aggressive tourism activities that need at least a week or more for anyone visiting. The tourism is high class but even for those with a low budget there is something for them. This focused tourism added with the warm hospitality makes Mauritius a top tourist destination.

Thirdly, peaceful co-existence. Mauritius has an interesting mix of Africans with European, Asian and local background. These live in peaceful co-existence. In addition, Christians, Moslems and Hindus also enjoy good relations with each other.

Fourthly, good political and economical development. Mauritius is one of the few African nations has a middle-income economy status. The level of infrastructure development is good and is supported by a stable democratic government where the Prime Minister runs the affairs of the nation. Mauritius has also a well developed information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

Tribute to Lawrence Chibutu

2010-09-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Lawrence Chibutu, who died in July 2009, was a headmaster whom one could not easily forget. He was headmaster at Kafue Secondary School, the first black Zambian head. He was headmaster whilst I was a pupil there from 1981 to 1984 when he was seconded to UNESCO.

I remember Mr. Chibutu as a disciplinarian. He instilled a sense of discipline in both pupils and members of staff. You certainly did not want to be called to his office for having done some mischief. I also remember him as been a hardworking headmaster that took his work seriously. He would take time to go round classes and the dormitories (hostels) to ensure pupils (boys) were learning studying or sleeping as the case needed to be. He also was keen to ensure that boys and teachers attend morning prayers and Sunday afternoon services. He would ensure he arranged for Preachers to come for the Sunday services. Mr. Chibutu was also was a fatherly and friendly head teacher. Once you got to know him you found that behind the facade of a disciplinarian hid a kind and fatherly heart which ex-pupils like Christian Kasumo greatly appreciated as a new pupil to Kafue Secondary School in mid-1981.

Mr. Chibutu also had an excellent command of the English language. He spoke in a very clear way and pronounced the Queen’s language very well. Mr. Chibutu was also smart. Whether it was in a suit or in shorts one could not miss his smartness. His handwriting too was smart. It always adorned our school report forms!

Lastly, Mr. Chibutu's good adminsitrative abilities led to his being appointed as an Educational Secretary for the United Church of Zambia and to work for UNESCO in Germany.

May the Lord our God, Almighty, who gives and takes grant the Chibutu family and former Kafue Boys students and teachers continued courage, wisdom, comfort and peace as they remember Mr.Chibutu in the years to come.

Training a Child by Bruce Button

2010-08-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Family (1): Wisdom Proverbs 22:6

Biblical Perspective of Wisdom

1. Understanding how to live practically in order to be successful.

2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

3. Wisdom is the foundational to the nature of creation.

4. Wisdom teaches a characteristic of life of sowing and reaping.

6 Principles of Teaching Our Children Wisdom

1. Teaching wisdom can’t be done using quick fix methods. Don’t plant banana’s and expect pawpaw’s.

2. We need to teach our children the difference between wisdom and folly.

3. Inculcate a profound awareness of who God is (Proverbs 1:7).

4. Do not place primary emphasis on specific commands of Scripture. We should show our children that we are part of God’s redemption story.

5. Do not distance yourself from your child’s sin.

6. The family should be a loving unit.

Second Visit to Senegal

2010-08-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

Getting to Senegal

It is rare to visit a country more than once especially if that country is very far such as Senegal which is about 6000km away from Zambia my homeland. I was travelling to Senegal for the second time after having been there in May 2009. The purpose of my visit was to attend an European Union and African Union Workshop on the Sharing of Experiences on Decent Work in the Informal Economy in Africa. On 29th June at 18 00 hours I landed in Dakar using Kenya Airways after having left Lusaka in Zambia at 00 05 hours. The journey was long. We went to Harare and then headed to Nairobi where we landed at 06 00. We left for Senegal via Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) after a 3 hour delay in Nairobi. The flight from Nairobi to Abidjan took 5 hours while that from Abidjan to Dakar took 31/2 hours. On the flight I sat next to a colleague from Kenya (whom we attended the same Conference in Senegal) and a lady from Cote d’Ivoire. I was able to have a meaningful conversation with her in French due to my having learnt French at secondary school from 1981 to 1985 and at university in 1987. Later I was to find my little knowledge of French useful during my brief stay in Senegal.

Gabriel with Ibharim next to Atlantic Ocean

Arriving in Senegal
On 30th June 2010 when we arrived in Dakar at the airport, we were picked up by a shuttle bus to our hotel. We were booked at Hotel Pullman Terranga, a very beautiful hotel very close to the Atlantic Ocean. I was booked in a room with a magnificent view of the ocean. Before enjoying the comfort of the hotel bed in sleep, Joseph, a Zambian participant and I went out to have a meal at a restaurant. The meal was very delicious. One thing one can’t go wrong on in Seenegal is food. The Senegalese have great food. They also have healthy eating habits. All the meals at the hotel had fruits served such as fruits such as pawpaw, pineapple and mangoes and natural fruit juices and not the common unhealthy fizzy drinks served in most hotels

Official Opening of Conference
On the second day, after a sumptuous and healthy breakfast, Joseph and I went into town to look for a power cable for my laptop as I had forgotten my power cable. After some enquiries, we eventually found a shop where we bought a power cable. Later, some participants and two Zambian ladies based in Senegal, we went to the main market to buy some Senegalese fabrics and ready made attire for men and women. The Senegalese have very good and smart tailors. We rushed back to the hotel to get ready for the official opening of the workshop. The official opening of the workshop took place in the hotel’s Conference room. Various speakers on various aspects of the Workshop theme and set the scene for the work to be done in the following two days. Workshop participants were drawn from various parts of Africa and Europe. In the evening, we had a cocktail hosted by the Conference organisers at the hotel’s poolside which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It was a good way to network with Workshop participants. One interesting thing about Senegal is that even at 20 00 hours one it was light and only started getting dark after 21 00 hours. Senegal is 2 hours, like UK and other countries is behind Zambian time. The other things one notices being different is that whilst at the time it was very cold in Zambia, Senegal was very hot!

New stadium under construction

Sightseeing and Impressions of Senegal
I have written about my impressions of Senegal in an earlier blog. For now let me say that I was impressed by the developments that I saw since my last visit in 2009. Among the new developments that I saw were a number of new apartments that I saw that had been constructed, a new football stadium, a new statue called the Renaissance Statue and generally a number of new buildings. Senegal is one of the four nations in West Africa apart from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria that boasts of good infrastructure development and of impressive economies. I found some time to go to the beach where we waded in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and took photos with a stork bird. Thereafter we had a delicious meal of fish and chips.

Gabriel at the beach

While some African nations are walking economically and politically, Senegal can be said to be running at a very fast pace. At personal level the Senegalese are friendly and hospitable. They take a keen interest in visitors and ensure that they feel at home. Senegal is known as the land of Terranga (hospitality). The Senegalese are also very hardworking. They begin the day early and end very late, if at all the day ends. Dakar is a city that one could say hardly sleeps. The streets are generally safe to to walk in at any time. The Senegalese are also renown for their good music said to be among the best in West Africa together with Guinea and Mali. This is attributed to how well musical instruments are played. Some notable musicians are Youssour N’dour (also an actor who featured in ‘Amazing Grace’ movie) and Omar Pene.

Returning to Zambia
I left Senegal on Sunday 4th July, after having attended a church service at the International Baptist Church in Dakar. This is a church with over 20 different nationalities. The services are held in English, though recently translation into French has started so as to reach out to the locals in Senegal. I left Senegal having made new friends at a personal level and also having made professional networks. Senegal is a nation one would love to return to! One can’t seem to get enough of it! Senegal has an area of 196,722 sq km and population of 12.5 million (UN, 2009).

The return journey to Zambia started with departure from Dakar at on Sunday 4th July at 16 00 to Nairobi where we arrived the following day at 05 30 via Bamako in Mali. In Nairobi, I had a stopover of over 12 hours, as I had planned to do some business in Nairobi. It was good being in Nairobi after 3 years. Nairobi like Dakar is one of my favourite cities in Africa. I left Nairobi for Lusaka at 21 30 aboard a Kenya Airways flight.

Statue of Renaissance in Dakar

"Karibu Kenya"

2010-07-19T01:22:00.000-07:00

Landing in Nairobi

"Karibu Kenya" or "Welcome to Kenya" is the atmosphere we feel as we land in Kenya. I have just landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after a flight of slightly over two hours from Lusaka. The date is Saturday, 27th May 2007. It is my first time to visit Kenya since I was born. This is one of the nations I have always looked forward to visit. After completing the immigration formalities at the airport I head to look for my checked in bag. Finding the bag I begin to look for Keith Underhill, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Nairobi, who has come to pick me up. Immediately I see him I recognize him, though I last saw him thirteen years ago. He is with Jacob, a member of his church. We exchange greetings and move to the vehicle and drive off from the airport. As we drive off, Pastor Underhill has to pay some gate fee at the exit gate. He leaves a gospel tract with the man collecting the money. I take note and ask myself: "how much of gospel tract distribution, do I do and how regularly?" After driving a short while, Jacob and I get off the car. We wait to catch a "matatu" (mini-bus) into Nairobi town centre. The experience is quite interesting. Music is played loudly on the matatu as if trying to 'test' the endurance levels of one's ears!

Gabriel in Nairobi city centre

Shopping at the Market

Soon we arrive at the town centre. As we walk through town, I see the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. I've always been impressed by the design of the Centre as I have seen it in photos. Now I see it face to face. It is a cylindrical in shape and quite tall. I take a few camera shots and ask Jacob to take a few shots of me. As we heard towards the markets, my host shows me some government buildings including the Kenya Polytechnic. We then get to the market. There with the competent aid of Jacob I'm able to buy a few t-shirts, some Kenyan crated leather sandals and a Kenyan shirt. But soon darkness begins to envelop the skies. We must head towards Greenfields, the residence of Pastor and Mrs. Underhill. We get on a matatu and make our way.

Staying with the Underhill's

Soon we are at the doorsteps of the Underhill's home and are ushered inside. I am going to spend a night at their home. After some greetings we are ushered to the dining table for supper. Apart from Mr. and Mrs. Underhill there is Steve and Carol at table. We enjoy the meal and chatting as well as we share news and information about Kenya and Zambia, and our respective churches. After sometime Pastor Underhill excuses himself to prepare sermons for the following day. I remain chatting with Mrs. Underhill on various aspects of work and church life and other matters. But soon the body is weary and must resign itself to bed. However, only after I put my finishing touches to the presentation I am to make on Monday at the UNESCO Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit. Well before midnight I drift into slumber land.

Worshiping at Trinity Baptist Church

The arrival of Sunday is an exciting day for me. This is because I'm looking forward to attending church services at Trinity Baptist Church. I've heard much about the church and read their Grace and Truth magazine. I've also listened to Pastor Underhill preach in Zambia in 1994. Before church we have a delicious breakfast and get ready to get on time for the Bible Study at 09 30. The manse (Underhill's home) is next to the church. The study begins with some singing. Pastor Masunga makes some enlightening comments on the song "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God". The song has some stanzas I've never heard of. The study is rich with biblical teaching. After the study, there is a brief break where I get to meet new friends. The morning service commences at 11 00. The worship service hymns are sang in English and Swahili. The Swahili hymns sound good and pleasant to the ear. I'm taken back into history more than twenty years ago when I used to sing in the School church choir at Kafue Secondary School. We would sing some Swahili songs apart from other Zambian languages and English.

Pastor Underhill preaches a gospel message. The sermon is clear and to the point. After the morning service, we hang around church as I meet yet more new friends. It's good to meet fellow church members as a church member from other churches. This church has members from Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. Between 13 00 and 14 00 we have lunch at church. It's good to have fellowship over a meal as a church. Later at 15 00 we have a prayer meeting followed by an afternoon service at 16 00. After the service, I am given a lift by a church member to Nairobi Safari Club where I have been booked. Later in the evening, a good old friend from University of Zambia, Dennis, who works in Nairobi comes to pick me up from the hotel to his home. It is good to meet a brother whom we fellowshipped and served together with at the University Christian Fellowship and Lusaka Baptist Church. On the way to his home we pick up Rhoda, another Zambian working in Nairobi. At Dennis's home we catch up on each other's lives and the happenings in Kenya and Zambia. We later enjoy a delicious meal. Later Dennis drops Rhoda and I off at our places of abode. Before dropping me Dennis drives through a street where there is Nairobi Baptist Church. The church was recently extended to accommodate 3000 people. A mega church of a kind! But do we need such big churches? Sitting 1000 – 3000 people? I don't think so! For fellowship and oversight by the church elders becomes a very big challenge if not an impossible task.

UNESCO Summit (Monday, 28 May)

Monday, finds me making my way to the UNESCO Summit venue – Safari Park Hotel. On my way to the hotel I chat with my neighbours on the bus. They are two Ugandan ladies who are also attending the Summit and eLearning Conference. One of the ladies mentions a Zambian couple she met while studying in the UK. That couple happens to be my church mates! A small world it is indeed. Soon we arrive at Safari Park Hotel. There we look for the room where the Summit is taking place. I meet with a colleague from Mauritius whom I met in Malawi. He later is to chair our paper presentation sessions. The Summit begins with opening remarks followed by keynote addresses. Later four speakers and I make paper presentations. The other presenters are from Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and UK. I am relieved after making my presentation. After a sumptuous lunch the Summit continues with a workshop. The Summit wraps up with a plenary session. Later in the day I meet Pastor and Mrs Masunga of Trinity Baptist Church in town. We have a meal in a restaurant in town. In Kenya eating out is quite common and quite affordable. We have a chat about life in both of our nations and about a business opportunity that is thriving in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Angola. Later, I am dropped off at my hotel.

eLearning Africa Conference Official Opening (Tuesday, 29 May)

Tuesday proves to be quite a busy day. On this day, there is the official opening of the eLearning Africa Conference by the Kenyan Minister of Education. This is followed by keynote speeches by distinguished government officials and those from the private sector. After tea break the Conference kicks off with parallel sessions. I choose a session relevant to my field in the TEVET sector. Not an easy task because you equally want to attend the other sessions that are very interesting. After the first sessions, I decide I need to get in town and do some shopping at the Tuesday Masai market. The programme is quite tight so one needs to have a strategy if you are to buy anything and avoid cold looks when you get home when you get home for not having bought anything. After visiting an ATM to get some cash and having some lunch I search for the Masai market. I am able to buy a few sandals and T-shirts for loved ones at home. I also get a photo of a Masai woman whom I have to buy something from in order to photograph. I love the rich colours on their clothes. When all is done I return to my hotel and prepare myself to get back to the Safari Park Hotel where Nokia has organized a cocktail for the Conference participants. As we enjoy our snacks and drinks we watch dances by the Masai, Luhya and Kikuyu tribes. The Masai dancers can really jump high. I make sure I 'catch' one dancer as he jumps up with my camera. After the cocktail comes to an end we are driven back to our respective hotels.

eLearning Africa Conference Session

eLearning Conference closing session (Wednesday, 30 May)

Wednesday finds me making arrangements to get my allowance from my sponsors. While waiting to get the allowance I make my way downtown to Scripture Union (SU) bookshop in order to buy some books, tapes and DVDs. After some meandering and asking around I locate the place. I browse through the books and tapes. I make my way to the hotel where I pick my allowance. Later I return to the SU bookshop to buy the books and DVDs I selected earlier. I then make my way to Safari Park Hotel to attend the Conference. Before the Conference closes I view some displays of computer technology and eLearning technologies. I also take some photos with some Zambian participants. I have been able to network with participants from Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Italy, South Africa, Zimbabwe etc. Someone says apart from what you learn the good thing about Conferences is the networking. Back at my hotel I have to email and phone Canada in order to get confirmation of my sponsors paying for accommodation. As a result I only have supper at midnight from a nearby hotel, Kenya Comfort Hotel. Later, I pass through a takeaway where I buy some "Chai" i.e. tea. The Kenyans love their tea! After some packing I retire to bed at 02 30.

Departure to Lusaka (Thursday, 31 May)

On this day I'm up by 05 30 so as to get read in time for my departure back to Zambia. Having packed the night before, my major tasks are to bath, have breakfast and check out of the hotel. These I do one after the other. I then start to wait for the shuttle bus to the airport. As time ticks away from 06 45, I start to have doubts as to whether the bus will come. I make alternative arrangements to travel to the airport with another bus. At the airport I check in and do all the formalities. I then wait along with my Zambian colleagues to board the Air Kenya plane to Lusaka which has a take-off delay of an hour. In due time the boarding call for the plane is given. Passengers board the plane and are set for Lusaka. It's good to get back home. But as I leave Kenya I have impressions of this lovely East African nation.

Masai woman at Tuesday market

Impressions of Kenya

1. The busyness of Nairobi: Nairobi is a city that almost never goes to sleep. Whether it is weekends or late in the night you'll find people moving up and about the streets. Restaurants and Internet cafes are open till late. The traffic jams too are quite long and require much planning by a road user not to get caught up in them.

2. Infrastructure development: The quality and abundance of infrastructure is quite impressive. The city has a number of hotels, shopping centres and restaurants.

3. Importance attached to education and training: Kenyans generally value education. This is evidenced by the number of universities the nation has such as University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University etc. Kenyans are eager to share knowledge and learn from others.

4. The use of Swahili language: The use of Swahili enables Kenyans from different tribes to have a common easy language for communication apart from English. The other advantage is that Swahili is also spoken in Tanzania and in Uganda.

5. Growing ties of Eastern African countries: The ties among the three East African nations Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda appear to be growing, with Rwanda also seeking to be part of the East African Community. There are common newspapers such as the East African Standard, publishers such as the Eastern African Publishers. Regional integration and co-operation is important in the growth of national economies.

6. Lastly, the Kenyans are friendly and helpful people. I have had Kenyan friends whom I met outside Kenya who were friendly and it was an even greater joy to make Kenyan friends within Kenya. It was my joy and pleasure to meet and enjoy fellowship with believers at Trinity Baptist Church in Nairobi. This is a church I had always longed to visit. The Lord in His own ways enabled me to fellowship at this church for a whole day. To Him be the glory! Amen.

Trip to Harare and Mutoko

2010-07-19T00:41:00.000-07:00

In July 2005, Judy and I undertook a trip into a land that had been hit by a 'Tsunami'. In case you are thinking we had ventured into Asia which was hit by Tsunami in December 2004, I wish to state no sir or no madam!. We travelled to Zimbabwe, which had undergone an Operation Murambatsvina ('Drive out Rubbish'). It is this cleanup, that the locals had nicknamed Operation 'Tsunami'. This was due to buildings being destroyed at short notice leaving some people homeless. Our mission was very simple: have a short vacation and visit relations on mum's side. The first objective was partially fulfilled as we did not get to stay at our desired haven: Resthaven Guest House.

Friday, 22 July 2005
We started off from Lusaka at 04 00 on 24th July using a Pioneer Coach. We arrived at the Chirundu border post at 06 00. We were cleared after two hours after the usual immigration and customs hassles. I was almost asked to pay a deposit for an old audio cassette player. I stood my ground and refused to pay. I was finally allowed to enter Zimbabwe without paying for the player. On the way, we had our first taste of the effects of sky rocketing inflation at Karoi. Sausage and chips cost Z$60000 (about K18000). We arrived in Harare at 12 00. We headed into the city centre and had some refreshments at Chicken Inn. I then headed to the ESAMI headquarters to make arrangements to leave our luggage while we were in town. At the ESAMI headquarters, I met the co-ordinator, who allowed me to use his phone to contact Pastor Soko and my niece Sekai. However, I could not get through to any of these two. After some time, I decided to get back to my wife and get the luggage. We left our luggage at the ESAMI offices and tried again later to phone Pastor Soko and Sekai, but all was in vain. Later, we learnt that it is very difficult to get through on Fridays by phone to cellular networks. When it was evident we couldn't get through to Pastor Soko, who was supposed to take us to Resthaven, we opted to take our luggage and look for some where to lay our heads. We found accommodation at Horizon Inn situated a few kilometres from the city centre.

Saturday, 23 July 2005

On Saturday morning, the first task was to trace brother Amos from the Reformed Baptist Church. I found him and we made arrangements to meet at 09 00. He came after 09 00. We left with him for Pastor Soko's home. As we about to join the main road we were met by my niece. Together we left for Pastor Soko's home in Rugare. We had a lovely time of fellowship with him and the family. He made efforts to secure fuel but could not find anything. The only fuel available was on the black market which was ten times the normal pump price. Thus we could not make it to Resthaven. We later left for Rosa's (my cousin's home) where we spent the night. Whilst there we saw some of the houses that were demolished in the Operation 'Tsunami'. In fact on our way we saw a number of houses and tuck shops that had been demolished. There was rubble in many places.

Sunday 24 July 2005

We attended the morning service at Central Baptist Church (which planted Ndola Baptist who later planted Lusaka Baptist). The sermon was from Romans 12:8. It was on "Being Patient in Affliction'. The preacher was Asafa M'kana the assistant pastor. It was a timely sermon in view of the economic hurdles the nation was undergoing. During the service an Indian diplomat with his family were bidding farewell. They spoke of the wonderful times they had had in Zim. They mentioned of how Zimbabweans loved to chat. If you wanted them to speak for 30 minutes, then ask them to speak for 15 minutes! After the service, I greeted a few people I could remember from my visit in 2003. We made the effort to greet people as they didn't reach out to greet us! This is one of the challenges that big churches face. Visitors are usually ignored. We emailed the church and they promised to address the issue. Later we went into town and met Sekai. We had some lunch and then went to Rugare to attend the church service by Reformed Evangelical Church. The preacher was John Soko, the church pastor. He preached on the importance of integrity in a Christian's life. The sermon had Shona translation. The singing was lively. After the service we were greeted by everyone and chatted with a number of people. Latter we went to Pastor and Mrs Soko's home where we had some refreshments and some lovely fellowship.

In the evening we visited a cousin in Budiriro. We wanted to make arrangements to use their vehicle to Mutoko (mum's village). Our mission was not successful. We were thus going to use public transport.

Monday, 25 July 2005

Monday was spent doing a bit of shopping in Harare town centre. On hand to help us shop was Sekai. Armed with my visa card I went to withdraw cash from an ATM. Initially I had difficulties getting the money. However, eventually I was able to withdraw some Zim dollars. In case you are wondering why we didn't carry enough Zim dollars, it should be noted that you would really need to carry a lot! A suitcase perhaps. Because an amount like Z$3million can be spent even within a few hours!

Tuesday, 26 July 2005

On Tuesday morning we got up early to catch a Mutoko bound bus. Judy and I travelled with my cousin Rosa (Sekai's mother). We were at the garage for the bus by 09 00. We got onto the bus around 13 00. We then proceeded to the main bus station to pick up other travellers. By 14 00 we started off for Mutoko. Mutoko is in the eastern direction of Harare. Just a few kilometres outside Harare we saw vast tracts of small holdings. Some of them are farms while others are horse ranches. Along the way we witnessed a bus that had been involved in an accident. The bus had just left the bus station a few minutes before us. Some lives were lost with others badly injured. How brief our lives are! One moment someone is up and about. The next moment they are lifeless. Oh to prepare to meet our God any moment He is pleased to summon us from this world!

We arrived in Mutoko District at about 17 00. We bought a few refreshments at the shopping centre. Thereafter we proceeded towards the countryside. On the way we saw a lot of hills and big rocks. A beautiful sight indeed! We arrived at Masenda Primary School at about 20 00. Then we started the search for the village of Uncle Edward. A young man tried to give us some directions. He walked with us. We had a torch to provide much needed light. We got to some village who told us that we had bypassed the village and needed to go back. We were getting tired by then. At long last after a lot of walking we arrived at my uncle's village. My aunt was the first to meet us. When she found out who we were, there was jubilation. Zimbabweans can dance and rejoice. Ask anyone who knows them. She went to inform the husband. Of course they wondered whether we had travelled in peace, or were conveyors of bad news. We told them that we had travelled in peace. We were just visiting. We then shared greetings and had some supper. Thereafter dropping off to sleep was a welcome conclusion to an otherwise very long day.

Wednesday, 27 July 2005

In the morning, my uncle and I released his goats and cows from their sheds. I then went to assist my cousin Christine chase some cows from the gardens. After that Judy and I took photos of each other, my uncle, auntie, cousin, nephew and niece. My niece Yola sang some songs for us and showed us what an amusing girl she could be. We had some breakfast consisting of rice and tea. Thereafter we visited auntie Jessica's home where we saw her garden. An impressive garden indeed! She showed us the coffee she had processed. A hardworking woman indeed! Later we escorted her to draw some water from a well. We went back to uncle's home towards 13 00. We then chatted for a long time on family matters and other matters. I learnt quite a lot about mum's family. Pharaoh my cousin came back in the evening from one of my uncle's village. He reported of my uncle being unable to come to where we were because he was unwell. Uncle Edward slaughtered a goat for us. We enjoyed the goat very much. We were given some to carry which Rosa took to her home. After a long day it was in order to rest. This was after making arrangements on our departure the following day.

Thursday, 28 July 2005

We were up by 04 30 in readiness for our walk to the bus stop. We bid farewell to Uncle Edward & Auntie Jessica and others. We were leaving Uncle Edward with a deep cough that he had. We only hoped he would get medical attention. My auntie gave us blessings as we embarked on our journey. She wished us God's guidance in all we undertook. We were escorted to the bus stop by Pharaoh, Christine and auntie Jessica. We were at the bus stop at slightly after 05 00. It was still quite dark. It was very cold. That place can be very cold! I got a blanket to cover myself. We waited for a long time but there was no bus in sight. We were informed that the bus had broken down. We got on a van and were charged the same fare from Masenda School to Mutoko as the fare from Mutoko to Harare. The fare was pegged high due to the high fuel prices. We got a Harare bound bus from Mutoko. We had to stand on the bus because we had no seats. We only managed to get seats in a town next to Harare. We arrived in Harare at about 15 00. We were so weary after undertaking such a challenging trip. Mr. Kanyemba (Rosa's hubby), Sekai and Emmanuel were on hand to welcome us. We had a shower to refresh ourselves. Thereafter we bid farewell to our wonderful hosts. Emmanuel escorted us into town. We spent a night at Russell Hotel. Horizon Inn, where we had stayed earlier on could not accommodate us as they wanted US dollars not Zim dollars. If the locals are not proud of their currency, who will be proud of it? We enjoyed the pork and chips we bought for supper after we struggled to find Zim dollars to buy it. After a long day we retired to bed.

Friday, 29 July 2005

Friday was our intended day of departure. However this was not the case as the morning buses were fully booked. We had no option but to book the evening bus leaving at 20 30. I went into town to get some more cash from the ATM. The services of an ATM were most welcome because we would have needed sacks to do the financial transactions that we had to do. In the late morning we went to the home of Amos to leave our luggage. In the afternoon we went in search of the Immigration office to extend our stay in Zim as we were going to cross the border a day later than planned. We were made to go from office to office due to being given wrong directions by the people we asked. Even the Information centre in town was not very clear in their directions. Eventually we found the office and had our stay extended by 5 days. We got back to Amos's place and got our luggage to leave for the bus station. Before then we had an interesting chat with his housemates. Amos and his housemates escorted us to the station. We boarded the bus at slightly after 20 30. The bus broke down after 30 minutes. The bus was taken to the garage where it was worked on for almost 30 minutes. We then proceeded with the journey. Not much later the bus broke down again. Some of you maybe familiar with the bus. It is Chigubu Bus Services from Luanshya. For your own sanity and safety avoid using this transporter. Eventually the bus was repaired and we continued our trip. We eventually arrived at the Chirundu Border post at 04 00. A trip that normally would take 4 hours took twice the time. Judy & I tried to get some sleep. But soon it was 06 00 and we were awake.

Saturday, 30 July 2005

The border gates were opened at 06 00. The border formalities took about 3 hours for us to be cleared. There is need for much improvement in this area. For those who cross the border from South Africa at Beitbridge, this is double checking and a lot of time wasted. After a long winding trip we eventually reached Lusaka at about 12 00. I got off the bus in Makeni to attend workshops for my business studies while Judy proceeded home. However despite all my efforts to attend the workshops, they were cancelled due to tutors not being available.

Reflections on trip

1. Inflation in Zimbabwe: I was returning to Zimbabwe after 2 years having been there last in 2003. Much change had taken place. A jersey which in 2003 was Z$ 90000 was now (July 2005) fetching Z$ 1,000,000 (K300,000). Things had changed. Inflation had and has become a terrible run away horse. Queues for money, food and other necessities were still a common sight. Queues for fuel were common place. The nation needs a turn around. I'm sure that we are aware that the inflation rate is now at 1000%, one of the highest in the world. 1 US$ is equivalent to about Z$ 100,000 while Z$ 1 is equivalent to 3 ngwee! Let's pray for Zimbabwe. It's economy is in ruins.

2. Joy at meeting relations: it was such a joy for me to meet one of my uncles, and cousins on mum's side for the first time. It was a joy for them too. It would have been good to meet other uncles but one for a start was good. We were grateful to God for travel mercies to such a far away place and reunite with relations.

3. Time spent together: It was a delight for Judy and I to be together alone for a week on our second honeymoon. We need more of such. Beloved brethren who are married you need such times too. They just don't drop from nowhere. They require planning. Let's find time to enjoy each other's company as husband's and wives away from the distraction of city life. An open secret to you is that there are nice places within Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa. Those that have travelled more than I have can attest that there are such beautiful places out there waiting for you to enjoy and explore. Seize the opportunity!

4. Gospel work in Zimbabwe: We need to pray for gospel work in Zimbabwe. In particular we need to pray for Reformed Evangelical church in Harare pastored by John Soko. The church has faced a number of challenges. Some of these are financial. Finances are required to enable them put a church building. The church has also had a number of members displaced due to the Operation cleanup. For a growing church, losing a number of members at once poses a great challenge. Lets pray for God to grant the members encouragement and strength to labour for the Master till the dawning day.

Gabriel S Konayuma
30 May 2006

Visit to the Land of Diamonds - Botswana

2010-07-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to Botswana", is the greeting that faces us as we walk into Sersetse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. The date is 8th October 2006. My travel companions are two workmates from my ministry. One of our hosts hugs us and welcomes us to Botswana. After greetings we are driven to our respective lodging places. My host takes me out for a meal at Nando's. With the issue of hunger sorted out, it's now time to head to Brackenden Lodge where I'll spend my first night. We are here for a study visit under UNESCO on HIV & AIDS. Before I sleep, I make final touches to our country paper presentation in readiness for the next day's meeting. Slightly after midnight my body is screaming for rest, the hot shower is so refreshing and the bed is so enticing. The trip to Gaborone has been hectic. A two hour flight from Lusaka to Johannesburg followed by a three hour stop-over at Johannesburg International Airport (now called Oliver Tambo International Airport!) ending with a forty minutes flight to Gaborone is what gets us to Botswana. Yes Botswana with English and Setswana as official languages and a population of 1.8 million is going to be our home for the next six days.

Next morning, after breakfast my host is on hand to take me to Botswana Training Authority (BOTA). At BOTA I meet some colleagues there and my workmates. The CEO of BOTA welcomes us and gives us his opening remarks. Some BOTA staff make presentations and talk about their activities. We also make our presentation. Presentations are followed by a rich time of discussions. No sooner than we realise, it's lunch time. Our host leads us to a shopping mall where we buy some Tswana meals. Tasty and nutritious! We sample some beef prepared Tswana style. After having our fill, we return to the BOTA offices for the afternoon's activities. In the afternoon, we are taken to the education ministry. I'm impressed with the organised building and clean offices. We have a meeting with presentations on HIV & AIDS from officials from Ministry of Education.

In the evening we attend an HIV & AIDS meeting at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC). The GICC is a beautiful building that has few equals in Southern Africa! The meeting is organised as a panel where key companies such as Debswana and public officials are interviewed by Botswana TV. The audience is allowed to ask questions and make comments. The meeting is spiced by entertainment from Mexie, a local female musician supported by vigorous dancing men. I assume they must need a lot of food to recover their vigorous energetic antics! In the evening I spend time with some Zambian couple. We have a wonderful time of fellowship. But our bodies are weary and we must retire to bed.

On Tuesday morning, our programme involves visiting two institutions: Gaborone Academy of Education (GAE) and Mega-size College. GAE advocates use of abstinence as a means of fighting HIV & AIDS. It also undertakes value based lessons using the Bible as a foundation. At Megasize we learn of the challenges faced in integrating HIV & AIDS among the bushmen commonly called "Ba Sarawa". In the afternoon we drive down south of Botswana to visit Tswelelepelo Brigade Centre. This college is being used as a pilot of HIV & AIDS unit standards curriculum. We watch plays on HIV & AIDS. After having some tea we bid farewell and head back to Gaborone.

Next morning, I rise up early. By 05 00, the vehicle is waiting at the gate to take us to Sersetse Khama International Airport. Our destination is Francistown Airport. The flight takes about 45 minutes. In Francistown we get on a hired vehicle. The team comprises four Zambians and three Batswana. If you are interested in gender balancing the team has three women and four men. Not bad by SADC standards! Ha ha ha! After having some breakfast at a restaurant we are firmly set for Zwenshambe Brigade Centre. On the way we see 'villages' that are well constructed. These villages have electricity and internet services. Not much to miss from being in urban centres!

The day's programme includes presentations by Zwenshambe Brigade Centre and the Zambian delegation, some drama performances and a time for discussion. We learn that Zwenshambe is a good model in Botswana in terms of working with the community and the churches in addressing HIV & AIDS issues. Zwenshambe is a rural training institution. After a delicious lunch, we are ready to visit some communities which the college is working with. Our first stop is at a home that was built by the college for the orphans. Next we visit a home where a man who has some paralysis in the arms is staying. The man has been abandoned by the wife. What a shame! We sing a hymn and a prayer is offered. After that we are ready to get back to Francistown. We leave very impressed with the activities of Zwenshambe. We get to Francistown Airport in time for the flight back to Gaborone. I get to my hosts home in time for some supper. I get a scan for blood circulation and see some blood clots. I'm advised to drink sufficient water daily and take green tea. Later my new host arrives to take me to my new home for the next two days. After catching up on some news it is time to give my weary body well deserved rest after a hot bath.

On Thursday, the study visit is coming to a close. We have a meeting with an HIV & AIDS Steering Committee at Brackenden Lodge. The Steering Committee comprises government officials, staff from training institutions and churches from Botswana. The programme is made up of presentations and discussions on HIV & AIDS interventions in Botswana and Zambia. After the meeting participants are busy exchanging contact details in order to cement networking. The core working group wraps up the study visit and draws up the way forward. The afternoon programme is dedicated for last minute shopping at the majestic Game City Shopping Mall. It is really shopping at high speed! Getting this and that for loved ones back home. By 17 30 the shopping must cease, though the desire and willingness to shop is still there. This is because we have to rush for dinner at River Walk Shopping Mall. The dinner programme stretches for a couple of hours. We sample various Asian dishes mostly Indian and Thai. After dinner we get back to our homes to get much needed rest. It is our last night in 'Gabs'* and in Botswana for that matter. The night is spent chatting and packing. On the last day, we say our final goodbyes and are driven to the airport on our trip to Lusaka via Johannesburg. As we are flying out of Botswana I leave with some impressions of this land of diamonds.

Firstly, it is evident that Botswana, which turned 40 years old in 2006, has a booming economy. This is evident from the impressive infrastructure especially in Gaborone. The diamonds industry plus other industries have fuelled economic growth. The strong currency (Pula) at an exchange rate of about 6 Pula to 1 US dollar continues to show resilience.

Secondly, Botswana has made great strides in reversing the adverse effects of AIDS in previous years. These strides are at national and community level.

Thirdly, the rural community in Botswana is well developed. We noted well constructed houses in villages with electricity and computers in colleges. The Batswana villages could be among the most well developed in Africa.

Finally, let's pray that the gospel may be proclaimed and received by many of the Batswana. In some instances strong cultural practices are in conflict with the gospel. Botswana is a land that has received the gospel since David Livingstone set foot on its soil more than 100 years ago.

Gabriel S. Konayuma
gkonayuma@gmail.com
7 January 2007

Visit to China - Land of the Dragon

2010-07-19T00:29:00.001-07:00

On 24th October 2006, I landed at Beijing International airport in China. I was in China to attend a forum on Vocational Education. This was my first time to travel outside Africa. My earlier trips had been to the Southern African region i.e. to Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The trip to China started from Lusaka International Airport at 13 40 on 23rd October. With eleven other officials, I boarded Ethiopian Airlines. Our first stopover (45 minutes) was in Lilongwe. Some food was loaded onto the plane and the plane was refueled. The next leg of the flight was to Addis Ababa. We arrived in Addis at 20 00 (19 00 Zambia time) after flying for about 3 hours. We were at the airport for 4 hours. We visited several shops in the recently refurbished airport. I was impressed with the display of local products, such as clothes, coffee, artifacts, music CDs and tapes at the airport. Most of these were fairly priced in either US dollars or Ethiopian Birr. One could almost get a very good introduction to the Ethiopian culture just by moving around at the airport. This is an area for us to learn here when we look at our Lusaka International airport. There is need to expand our airport. There is equally need for fair pricing. The cost of changing foreign currencies and having meals at the airport is exploitative to say the least. Anyway back to Addis. I found the body search which included removing shoes and belts in Addis very strange and an inconvenience. Is this what the threat of terrorism has led to in some nations?

We left Addis at midnight using an Airbus. We flew for 6 hours to New Delhi where we had a stopover for 45 minutes. We had some food packed and were given copies of a local Indian newspaper. New aircrew boarded the plane. After all formalities, we were set for the final leg to Beijing. This trip took about 6 hours. It was quite a tiring trip. It was interesting moving across various time zones and getting confused in the process. Beijing is 6 hours ahead of Zambia.

Tianjin
Tianjin is one of the four leading cities in China. It has a population of about 10 million. Tianjin is a costal town. Tianjin is a growing city with a lot of reconstruction taking place. We stayed in Tianjin for 18 days. We were in Tianjin to attend a forum for Vocational Education hosted by the Tianjin University of Technology and Education. Participants were drawn from Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia. The forum was well organised. By the end of the training period, the forum objectives were met. The programme comprised lectures, discussions and country reports. There were also academic study tours and cultural visits. We found the electrical and mechanics workshops at the university very clean and well-equipped. The Chinese have invested heavily in the vocational education system. They have and continue to learn a lot from nations such as India, Germany, South Korea and USA,

Tianjin city is undergoing a lot of reconstruction. Everywhere we went we saw a lot of buildings being constructed. Old buildings giving way to new buildings! Beautiful architecture! The road network is very good with excellent ring roads and over passes. A number of international companies have established businesses in Tianjin. These businesses are in various sectors such as financial, motor vehicle, tourism and food. We had meals at the famous MacDonald’s fast food outlets. We did our shopping at shopping malls, markets and a cyber market where various electronic products were on offer!

I had fun tasting new dishes. I tasted shrimps, chicken cooked in honey (sweet and sour chicken), bamboo shoots, drank green tea with all meals. Tea drinking plays quite an important role in Chinese life. There are about 2000 different types of teas. These can be reduced to 7 major types. These include green tea, monkey tea, oolong tea and jasmine tea. I highly recommend green tea. It’s an anti-oxidant tea good for persons with high BP, anti cancer, digestion problems etc. Green tea can be found in many of our major supermarkets.

Places visited included Tianjin Professional College and Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA) where we saw a showroom of mostly imported cars. Tianjin is home to seventeen universities. One of these is Tianjin University of Commerce, where Tianjin International Fellowship (www.tjif.com) meets. This is the church which I attended for the first two Sunday’s. The church is made up of about 50 different nationals. Before entering church, I had to show my passport. That is standard procedure for most international churches in China! All hymns and songs were sung using an overhead projector. The preacher too had his sermon beamed using an OHP. Some Christians have raised alarms of the growing practice of churches using OHP’s. I’m sure the debate will continue to rage. I think it’s one of the new technologies that we need to learn to use for the benefit of God’s kingdom without compromising biblical worship. It was a joy to make friends with one of the elders (from USA) and a brother from Rwanda, studying in China. I later learnt of how God saved the Rwandese brother through an evangelistic meeting in China. God’s ways are mysterious! China’s religion is mostly Buddhist. Economic and political reforms have led to some religious tolerance which allows foreigners to set up churches as long as the do not ‘evangelise’ the locals.

Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China. Beijing means ‘northern capital’. It is also home to a number of tourist attractions such as the famous Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Beijing is set to host the 2008 Olympic games which start on 8th August 2008 (08/08/08). The China-Africa forum was hosted in Beijing in November 2006 at which new strategies in co-operation were discussed and agreed.

The first day of the visit to Beijing was spent visiting the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace was built by one of the emperor’s as a place of retreat during vacations. It is beside a lake. The Palace has one of the world’s longest corridor’s (about 1000m). This corridor was used by the emperor when he was relaxing and looking at the various marble paintings on the walls as he strolled along. The Summer palace receives thousands of visitors on a daily basis.

On the second day we visited one of the world’s seven wonder: the Great Wall of China. Again this is a place which receives a lot of visitors on a daily basis. It was such a wonder to see the Great Wall after learning about it in school. Greater wonder was to actually climb the Great Wall and get to one of the highest points! We were given certificates with our photographs indicating that we have seen the Great Wall.

On the third day, all roads led to the Forbidden City. Why Forbidden City? It was a city forbidden to those that were not part of the royal circle. The city was for the emperor and those of royal connections. This city has 9,999 rooms. One would need 30 years to sleep in each of the rooms! A lot of artistic beauty went into building the city. Again this tourist attraction is a crowd puller. In all these places one needs to be very close to the tour guide and follow the flag of the guide so as not to get lost! On our way out of the Forbidden City we saw the famous Tiananmen square.

The other time in Beijing was spent shopping and eating. Yes eating! Eating in a number of restaurants that were selected by our tour guide. Our last supper was at a restaurant which has dishes from Southern China. This was spiced by some traditional dancing by men and women from Southern China.

The last day in Beijing was spent in packing, last minute shopping and getting to the Beijing airport. We finally boarded the plane after a 2 hour delay. As we took off on the runaway a number of thoughts were racing in my mind. What were my impressions of China – the land of the Dragon or the land of Ancient Civilisation?

Impressions and Lessons from China

Firstly, I had quite a big shock. I was not too sure as to how developed China was. What I saw blew my mind! China has really made great strides in development. Preparations for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are in full gear. China’s development has been due to an emphasis by the government from the early 80’s to concentrate on economic development as opposed to political development. There is lot of lessons for African nations that wish to see rapid development.

Secondly, the Chinese are generally hardworking, hospitable and humble people. Through hard work, the Chinese have managed to turn around their economy and make it a force to reckon with. On Chinese hospitality I’d need an article twice this one to document it! Simply put, our Chinese hosts who fully sponsored the 23 delegates and gave some pocket money, also provided all meals and bought everyone a shirt and some warm under clothes. We were made ‘mauless’ (speechless) by the great show of hospitality. On the aspect of humility, I noted that though all our lecturers were professors they carried themselves with humility. They did not mind whether they were called professor or not. I find it strange that some of our locals will insist on being called ‘doctor’ or ‘professor’ at all times!. Should the Lord grant me a PhD qualification or professorship, I will insist that friends at church and at work call me by first name or just the surname.

Thirdly, I was impressed with the tourist activities that China has. On a daily basis, China is making a lot of Yuan’s (local currency) due to a lot of visitors to various tourist attractions. The museums are well kept and have well trained narrators and guides.

Fourthly, I noted that China is a very religious nation. The way buildings and roads are constructed has some spiritual explanation. The Buddhist religion is dominant. Let’s pray that even in that land of the dragon, the Lord would save many and make them his own!

Gabriel S Konayuma
25 December 2006

10 Tips for Writing a Dissertation

2010-07-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

Writing a dissertation is a requirement in most Masters degree’s in addition to course work in order to get a qualification. A number of students find it difficult to complete their qualifications because of having to write a dissertation. However, that should not be the case. Any student that has passed his coursework can and should be able to write a passing dissertation. What are the tips to writing a good dissertation?

1. Ensure you submit your research or dissertation proposal on time. Give the proposal adequate attention and follow the Universities guidelines.

2. Choose a topic where you have adequate knowledge and ready access to information. Choosing a complicated topic to impress others will just make it almost impossible for you to complete your dissertation on time.

3. Read the Universities Dissertation Guidelines before and after writing each chapter.

4. Allocate adequate time to the dissertation. Make a time plan using a Gantt- Chart and stick it at a visible place in your home or office.

5. Improve your skills in literature search from libraries and the Internet.

6. Form some groups with classmates. This helps you have support and encouragement from fellow students.

7. Maintain regular contact with your supervisor. Don’t make your supervisor start to think you have shifted to Mars by your silence!

8. Buy and read good books on dissertation or thesis writing.

9. Find some experienced people to edit your dissertation drafts.

10. Ensure good time management! You need to do away with legitimate pleasures for a time in order to complete your dissertation on time.

Twitter about God

2010-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Twitter about God

Rt Rev Dr S. Tilewa Johnson

To reach out to young people, you have to meet them half way. This is the main aim of Rt Rev Dr S. Tilewa Johnson. Ranging from podcasts to Twitter and Facebook groups, the open-minded Anglican Bishop of Gambia is constantly exploring innovative ways of communication which help him to forge new links with his parish. The conclusion he draws for now is very positive: The many posts he receives show that “fashionable” technology and thoughtfulness are by no means mutually exclusive. Bishop Tilewa Johnson will open eLearning Africa with a keynote speech entitled “The Online Social Education of Youth and the Digital Challenge to African Values.”

eLA: A bishop who posts Twitter feeds and sends podcasts to his young church members – that all seems very forward-looking. How do people in your parish respond to your digital commitment?
S. Tilewa Johnson: The diocese of which I'm privileged to be bishop is pretty unique in that it comprises three West African countries - Cape Verde Islands, Senegal and The Gambia. The headquarters of the diocese are in The Gambia side of the three-countries-in-one diocese and it is, by far, the most active of the three nations. The people of the parishes in The Gambia have responded differently to my digital commitment.

Some are excited about the new trend and feel it is the way to go. Others are apprehensive, given the misuse and abuse of social networking that is so widely reported. And others still have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

In response to the varied reactions, I have invited some older parishioners to be 'special guests' of our Facebook Group -"Feed My Lambs" Bantaba. Bantaba, by the way, literally means a big shady tree. Most village deliberations take place under the Bantaba in The Gambia!

eLA: What do young people want to discuss with you? What issues do you address most frequently?

S. Tilewa Johnson: Here are a few issues which young people have posted on the wall of our Facebook Group -"Feed My Lambs" Bantaba:

"How do you get the message across to young people in an age of 'Internet' and 'sexting' that abstinence outside marriage and monogamy within it are the best way forward?"
“If God is omniscient, then it follows that He knows which of us will attain salvation. If that is the case, why then send Christ to die, if the end result would remain the same anyway?"
“Is there any chance the Methodist and Anglican Churches in The Gambia could be merged? Is that even theologically / liturgically possible? If so, how; if not, why not?
“Could we have a forum where we can discuss scholarships for young Anglican people to obtain higher education and consequently be a blessing to the local church?"
“Could God in His divine mercy and love ever forgive the devil?"

The most frequently addressed issues relate to access to scholarships for further studies, matters touching on ethics, health, church in society and leadership.

eLA: Can church-based youth work manage without face-to-face communication to a certain extent?

S. Tilewa Johnson: Only to a certain extent! Face-to-face communication is the ideal and the first choice. However, given the time constraints on meetings and other gatherings nowadays, taking advantage of the facilities that cyberspace and social networking offer is only prudent. These digital facilities, used within moral boundaries, are regarded as a welcome complement to face-to-face communication in church-based youth work.

eLA: You once said that you saw Africa on the verge of an online and communications binge in the next decade. Is this a good or a bad thing?

S. Tilewa Johnson: It could be both. I'm tempted to say, look out for the way this critical question will be dealt with, in full, in the keynote address I'm privileged to deliver at the Opening Plenary.

eLA: What should be done to successfully manage this transformation process?

Tilewa Johnson: The sky should be the limit! Therefore, any attempt to stifle innovation and our God-given creative faculties must be frowned upon at every stage of this transformation process. Given this ground rule, we should also demonstrate responsible management of the process, perhaps by having the courage to experiment, make mistakes, keep trying new technologies and by being constructively critical of that which has been achieved, what is currently being achieved and what still has to be achieved.

eLA: Thank you very much for your time, Rt Rev Dr S. Tilewa Johnson.

More information on Reverend Rt Rev Dr S. Tilewa Johnson at http://www.elearning-africa.com/programme/profiles/profile_johnson_s..htm

What is Christian Education?

2010-05-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Christian education is education of which the basis and unifying principle is the historic Christian view of God, man and the universe in their mutual relations. This historic Christian philosophy finds its most comprehensive and consistent expression in Calvinism, or the Reformed Faith; therefore the most comprehensive and consistent Christian education must be based on, and unified by, the Reformed or Calvinistic view of God, man and the universe and their mutual relations.

Why is Christian Education Needed?

1. For God’s sake (Matt. 22:37).

2. To give expression, in the educational field, the radical difference which exists between the two classes of human beings in this world, namely the regenerate and the unregenerate.

Mistaken Views of Christian Education

1. Christian education does not mean education limited to the field of religion.

There must be a Christian view of history and science and mathematics, as well as a Christian view of salvation and the religious life. God is God everywhere, or He is God nowhere.

2. Christian education does not mean secular education with some religious features externally added.

Christian education means education that is Christian in its essence or inner character all along the line, not only in the chapel and Bible classroom, but in every classroom and every laboratory, as well as in the life of every teacher.

The Essence of Christian Education

1. The Source of Christian Education: The source of Christian education is not society as such, but Christian people to whom God means everything. Society being predominantly unregenerate and having a non-Christian philosophy of life, cannot produce truly Christian education. Education which originates from the impulse of society, or the public in general, will not consent to take the God of the Bible seriously.

2. The Standard of Christian Education: the Bible as the revelation of the mind and the will of God. A standard is a recognised authority by which something is measured, regulated or directed. The non-Christian philosophy of life finds this standard in society.

3. The purpose of Christian Education: The glory of God, and the true welfare of man in subordination to the glory of God.

The Religious Features of Christian Education

Religious Features such as Bible study and chapel exercises do not of themselves make education truly Christian. However they are essential to truly Christian education and they are of very great importance.

Religious features must be integrated i.e. related to the rest of the curriculum and of the life of the institution not in an external but in an organic way.
Religious features must be orthodox i.e. in harmony with God’s truth.
Faculty must be active Christians

______________________________________________________________________________

The above article is a summary of the booklet: What is Christian Education? by J G Vos published by Crown & Covenant Publications.

Visit to Mbala home to Kalambo Falls & surrounding towns

2010-02-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Gabriel at Kalambo Falls

In September to October 2007, I travelled to Mbala on duty. The purpose of the trip was to conduct training for small scale women miners in Mbala. This trip was organised by the Department of Vocational Education and Training in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training. It was a follow-up of an earlier trip that was made in June to Northern Province which covered Kasama, Mbala, Mpulungu, Nakonde, Isoka, Chinsali and Mpika. The training was held for two weeks. During this time we stayed at Makungo Guest House. Mbala is 1050 kilometers from Lusaka. Mbala is Zambia's most northerly large town, occupying a strategic location close to the border with Tanzania and controlling the southern approaches to Lake Tanganyika, 40 km by road to the north-east, where the port of Mpulungu is located. Under the name Abercorn, Mbala was a key outpost in British colonial control of this part of south-central Africa. Mbala is home to Kalambo Falls, Moto-moto Museum, Lake Chila, Zambia Airforce airport and Outward Bound Training School. Mbala is one of the largest producers of maize and beans. It is also rich in precious and semi-precious stones. Northern Province is the largest province in Zambia. It has 12 districts. Mpika is the largest district in Zambia. Northern Province has borders with Tanzania, Malawi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The following are the highlights of my visit:

Visit to Kalambo Falls
It was joy to see Kalambo Falls the second highest falls in Africa and 12 th highest in the world. The sight of the falls is awesome and amazing. It is one that evokes in the beholder a song of praise to the Maker of heaven and earth for his wonders in creation! The Kalambo Falls come from the Kalambo river and pour out with a mighty force into a deep rift. The only sad thing about the Kalambo Falls is that they are not as well marketed as the Victoria Falls in Livingstone. There is need to improve the road leading to Kalambo Falls which is not in very good condition. In addition tere is need to have some basic but good accommodation facilities near the falls. Currently the closest accommodation is that found in Tanzania and 8 kilometers away from the falls. Access to the falls involves crossing a river.

Visit to Moto-moto Museum
The museum is a collection made by Father Corbett of traditional items around Northern province. The items collected include carvings, materials used for teaching people about to get married, materials used for withcraft and that used by witchdoctors. I was quite impressed by the items that were used for teaching people preparing for marriage. For example, an item that can with two handles that can be held by two people symbolizing that marriage is meant for two people and should not involve have outside parties. Also shown is a carving of a fool symbolising a man who is lazy and a womaniser and does not listen to advice. Another symbol is that of a tortoise teaching that a married couple should be hospitable and not cover their heads under a shell like a tortoise does. It's interesting about how our forefathers especially in Bemba culture could have visible symbols to train people in the rites of passage such as marriage. It was interesting how my comments in the museum's register on the Internet charges being very high led to the reduction of the charges from K2000 per minute to K500 per minute! I was happy to be of help to the Mbala community in accessing Internet at a much lower price. The museum is currently the only place in Mbala that offers commercial Internet services.

Visit to Mbala Baptist Church
Since our stay in Mbala was two weeks, I was able to attend church at Mbala Baptist Church. The pastor of the Church is Edward Musonda. He was also instrumental in planting churches in other Northern Province towns under the Baptist Convention of Zambia. Mbala Baptist Church uses Chibemba in it's services. I attended a Bible study and a Sunday morning service. Though the sermon was in Chibemba, I wrote the sermon notes in English! The service was good and I felt I was in good company. I'm just amazed at how one feels at home when you visit churches which preach Christ and Him crucified. The church is currently engaged in a church building project and needs about K5 million to complete their building. In a rural town like Mbala raising such money is not so easy. Pastor Musonda is taking care of close to 100 orphans. Some of these come during the day while others are boarders. The challenge is to have sustainable financing measures for looking after these orphans. It's such a challenge and an encouragement to note the work that some believers are doing for the needy in society. Most of these orphans are due to losing their parents through the HIV & AIDS pandemic. Mbala is one of the few towns in Mbala that has a number of female headed homes due to women losing husbands due to HIV & AIDS. It was good to meet Roland too at the church. He is one of the deacons and works at the Zambia Baptist Association bookshop.

Mbala is a distant town but it has a number of tourist attractions, a vibrant agricultural industry and growing mining industry. It's a gateway to Tanzania. It's worth visiting and going their for holidays and your honeymoon. The untapped potential of Mbala in tourism needs to be tapped soon!

Visit to Mpulungu
It was great to see the Mpulungu harbour and Lake Tanganyika. Mpulungu harbour is a gateway by ships to Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Burundi. The full potential of the harbour is yet to be realised. Mpulungu has a lot of HIV & AIDS awareness programmes. This is in order to mitigate against the high levels of sexual activities common in border towns where young women with few job and learning opportunities seek to make quick monies by selling their bodies to willing partners. Lake Tanganyika is one of Africa's and the world's deepest fresh water lake. It has a variety of rare fishes.

Visit to Nakonde and Tunduma
Nakonde is a border town with Tanzania. This border is one of Zambia's most interesting one. One can get into Tunduma, a border town in Tanzania with no passport. When in Tunduma you do not feel like you have left Zambia. Tunduma is well stocked with a number of items that a number of traders and other people from Zambia travel to go and buy. The prices are very cheap. A number of these products are sourced from the Far East and Middle East. We stayed at Ukinga Hill Hotel in Tunduma. The accommodation rates are affordable, at least three times cheaper than in Nakonde. The hotel is neat with a aide variety of choice in terms of food. The food is well prepared. Tunduma is a town one would want to always return to, if only to stretch your Kwacha further!

Surviving in a Boarding School

2010-01-31T22:52:00.000-08:00

1. Introduction
Surviving in a boarding school can be a tough experience. It can be made easier if some steps are followed. This article looks at the advantages of boarding school, the disadvantages of boarding school and how to survive in boarding school.

2. Advantages of Boarding School
Boarding Schools have a number of advantages. These include more time for study, more time to develop friendships, becoming independent, more time to consult classmates and teachers and good preparation for college ad university life.

(a) More time for study
In boarding schools, times are allocated for afternoon and evening study times. Pupils have at least a minimum of three hours of study per day. This gives a pupil more time to revise and study their school work. Apart from study times, pupils in boarding schools have weekends which can be used for studies. Pupils in day schools may not have enough time as their boarding school colleagues.

(b) More time to consult classmates and teachers
The boarding pupil has more time to consult his classmates, school mates and teachers on school work. The pupil can discuss with classmates during study times or consult them in the hostels. In addition the pupil can consult their teachers at their homes or classrooms.

(c) Developing Independency
Boarding School enables pupils to develop independency and self-reliance. Pupils are able to budget their pocket money to last for one term. Pupils also wash their own clothes and clean their surroundings. They also learn how to manage time for studies, leisure and sleep. This helps the pupil to be more responsible in later life.

(d) More time for extra-curricular activities
Pupils in boarding schools have a number of extra-curricular activities. These range from sport, gardening, cleaning and inter school activities. Some boarding schools also have activities that benefit the community. These extra-curricular activities help a pupil to be a balanced pupil as opposed to one who is just a bookworm.

3. Disadvantages of Boarding School
Boarding schools have some disadvantages. These include pupils being away from parents at a critical stage in their lives, exposure to bad company, growing distant from parents and family and adjusting to a new environment.

(a) Teenage Pupils being away from Parents
Most pupils who are in boarding school are between the ages of 13 and 18. This is a critical stage when the pupils are teenagers. Teenagers are at a stage when certain changes are taking place emotionally and physically within them. They are undergoing self-discovery. They need the close guidance of their parents and guardians. Some pupils miss out on the counsel and guidance of their parents. Teenage pupils in day schools have an advantage over their friends in boarding schools as they are with their parents or guardians on a daily basis.

(b) Exposure to Bad Company
Some pupils go to boarding schools as sweet and nice boys. They leave boarding schools as naughty boys having learnt bad habits such as smoking and drinking. What's the reason? It is because of exposure to bad company. Bad company ruins good morals as the Bible teaches. If you are to survive in boarding school and come out as a useful pupil avoid bad company the way you would avoid contagious diseases.

(c) Growing distant from parents and family
A pupil in boarding school is normally at school for 9 months in a year. This leaves only 3 months for the pupil to be at home. The pupil is thus more of a guest in his home. The pupil becomes closer to boys and girls at their school than their brothers, sisters, guardians or parents at home. Parents tend to give their children from boarding school a special guest status when they are on holiday.

(d) Adjusting to a new environment
A pupil who goes to boarding school is in a new environment different from home. The pupil has to adjust to new school mates, new teachers and a new place. If the pupil is very far from home, the adjustment is made more difficult. Some pupils even lose weight as they adjust to new food and a new environment.

4. How to survive in boarding school
To survive in boarding school you need to avoid bad company, develop good friendships, work hard in your studies and take part in extra-curricular activities.

(a) Avoid bad company
You need to avoid bad company. Bad friends look fun and attractive. But they damage your character and values. Avoid making friends with such pupils. Bad friends will lead you to do the wrong things that you may regret later in life.

(b) Develop good friendships
You need to develop good friendships in boarding school. Most people have friends in later life with those who became their friends whilst in boarding school. Boarding school offers pupils the opportunity to become close friends as they have more time after classes to know each other better. The writer has two close friends whom he became friends with whilst at boarding school.

(c) Work hard in your studies
Boarding school offers you enough time and resources to do well as a pupil in your studies. Take advantage of that. Divide your time well so that you have enough time for studies, recreation and rest. Form study groups with classmates. Consult your teachers and senior school mates.

(d) Take part in extra-curricular activities
Boarding school offers one a rich programme of extra-curricular activities. These range from sporting activities, clubs and societies, hostel duties and gardening. Since the choice is so wide, you need to be wise so as to choose suitable activities that match your interests and abilities. Avoid being involved in too many activities. This will rob you of enough study time.

5. Conclusion
The article has looked at the advantages and disadvantages of boarding schools. The article has also proposed ways in which you can survive in a boarding school. Boarding school is not some imprisonment which you have to endure. On the other hand it is not home. It is a different environment to which you have to adjust. For you to survive much better in boarding school, you need to have good values that you treasure and live by. Values that ensure that even if your parents and guardians are not close, you can still cherish the good they have taught you. I recommend to you Christian values that are found in the Bible. These values or standards will help you not only in boarding school, but later in life. I recommend you to place your life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and live by biblical values.

Clash with Culture - Lessons from Zimbabwe trip

2009-12-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Uncle Enock & wife (April 2009)

One that has been exposed to Christian principles will find sooner or later that their Christian beliefs clash with certain cultural beliefs. Such was the experience of my young sister Catherine and I when we tavelled to Mutoko in Zambia in April. This trip was made after the death of our beloved mum in March 2009. We were travelling to escort Aunty Jescah who had come when mum was still ill and eventually died. Also with us on the trip were my cousins Rosa and Chenai who had come from Harare after the funeral to be with us. The journey to Mutoko started from Lusaka to Harare using a bus from Lusaka Intercity bus terminus. The journey took about 8 hours. Chenai’s husband Mr. Mukumbira and my nephew Simbarashe, were on hand to receive us at the Harare Roadport Station, This is a well designed and neat international bus station. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and preparing for the trip from Harare to Mutoko.

Travelling from Harare to Mutoko
The trip from Harare to Mutoko was made using a Mazada pickup. On this trip were Rosa, Chenai, Simbarashe, Muchi, Catherine and I. We refuelled in Harare. This time around fuel in Zimbabwe was readily available at a cost of 95 cents a litre. The official currency in Zimbabwe is US dollars and South African Rands. We bought some drinks and water and left for Mutoko at about midday. The driver was Simbarashe. A very good driver. Mutoko is about 200km from Harare. Mutoko is the town where my late mum hails from and where my aunty and uncle stay. In Mutoko town centre we met some of my cousins (Aunt Jescah’s children) for the first time. We had some lunch and left for Mutoko rural at about 15 00. We arrived at my aunties village at about 18 00 weary and hungry. We narrated how we had travelled and the events leading to mum’s death. After the discussions we had with our relations, it was agreed that we would have to go to my uncle’s village the following day about 2 hours drive away. We had some dinner and later we were shown where to lay our heads. I went to the home of my cousin Denford and his wife.

Cultural Clashes at Uncle’s Village
In the morning after making all preparations we headed for Uncle Enock’s village. We spent over 1 hour trying to cross a stream with the pickup we had as the tyres kept rolling back into the stream. We eventually arrived at Uncle Enock’s home after many twists and turns. We arrived to a chorus of wailing as word had already reached the village about mum’s death. We settled down and were greeted by people within the village and from nearby villages. The initial family discussions we had suggested that we were going to have a second funeral for mum. In this funeral, a coffin would be used and a stick placed inside to represent mum’s body. This was said to be necessary since my cousins had carried some soil from mum’s grave. This was quite worrisome to my sister and I. I remember as I was having a bath a few hours later praying that God would intervene in this matter. Somehow I was at peace he would and that when Uncle Enock came, he would not support having a second funeral. And that’s exactly what happened. Uncle Enock mentioned that it would not be fair to have another funeral as this had already been done in Lusaka and asking us to meet the funeral costs would be asking too much. This having been said we thought the matter had been put to rest. How wrong I was!

The following day another issue cropped up after one of our uncles from another village came. He asked if we had come with the traditional gifts (cooking stick and storage basket for grain) that dad was given when he married mum. We said no. Again uncle Enock came to our rescue when he mentioned that dad was not given any such gifts. He sent bride price by post. That settled matters! We were off the hook! No more cultural practices to contend with! It made me think on how tenaciously some hold on to cultural practices and yet don’t do as much to the Gospel teachings! It also made me appreciate that sometimes the right person in the right place at the right time saves a situation. Such a person was Uncle Enock, elder brother to my late mum. He once worked in then Northern Rhodesia in the Nkana now Kitwe in the 1960s and left after Zambia became independent. He can still speak Bemba up to now! He is a nice and friendly uncle who likes to be of help where he can. It was a privilege to be hosted in his village.

Enjoying Village Life
Not every time was tense in the village though. We had times of fun too! We enjoyed a cool dip and a bath in the nearby river. Such a welcome treat in the heat. We enjoyed meeting new relatives especially cousins for the first time. We also enjoyed the evening chatting by the fireside on stone crafted seats. Village life so simple, a welcome break from the stress of city life! Whenever I get stressed I remember my time in the village and want to go back!

Gabriel & Catherine with Uncle Enock and cousins in Mutoko

Concluding reflections
As we came back to Harare and eventually Lusaka, we realised that each culture in this case the Shona culture, has it’s own intricacies which one needs to know and be fully armed for. This is especially true during times of births, marriages and deaths. Being ignorant of certain cultural practices can make you ill prepared to react appropriately. In Zambia for instance, I would recommend people buying a copy of Dr. Chondoka’s book on Traditional Marriages in Zambia. I’ve found it helpful when helping some who are getting married.

It was good to meet a number of relatives for the first time. Albeit through mum's death. In Harare we met Pedzai (one of my cousins) and the husband. They were really so thrilled to meet us. And so were we. What a privilege to have a family on both sides of the Zambezi river!

Gabriel & Catherine with Pedzai & husband Teddy and son and niece Yola

Visit to Congo-Kinshasa

2009-11-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

One of my hobbies is travelling. But strange as it may sound I hate travelling. Hate it in the sense that traveling is tiring depending on the mode of transport and time that you travel. And there are the border formalities and so on. But I like travel when you have finally reached your destination. In early October I traveled to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purpose of the trip was to see the famous city of Lubumbashi and get a feel of what is found in the city. Before I proceed some quick facts about Congo for some of you that have never done Geography or don’t know much about this vast nation. Congo has a population of 66 million (UN, 2009). It is the nineteenth most populous nation in the world, and the fourth most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most populous country where French is an official language. It is the third largest country (by area) in Africa. The capital is Kinshasa. Congo has an area of 2.34 million sq km. The major languages spoken are French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo and Tshiluba. The major religions are Christianity and Islam. Life expectancy is at 46 years (men) and 49 years (women) (UN). The monetary unit: 1 Congolese franc = 100 centimes with an exchange rate of 855 CDF to 1 US $. The main exports are diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt and crude oil. Congo has a GNI per capita: US $150 (World Bank, 2008).

Central Bank of Congo

Lubumbashi (formerly French: Élisabethville is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), second only to the nation's capital Kinshasa, and the hub of the southeastern part of the country. The copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Katanga Province, lying near the Zambian border. Population is at an estimate of 1.2 million. Lubumbashi serves as an important commercial and national industrial center. Manufactures include textiles, food products and beverages, printing, bricks, and copper smelting. Attractions in the city include a botanical garden, a zoo, a brewery, and the regional archaeological and ethnological National Museum of Lubumbashi. The city also hosts the major University of Lubumbashi, which maintains a library. I travelled to Lubumbashi via the Kasumbalesa border post from Chililabombwe where I was staying. Lubumbashi is 110 km from Chililabombwe. I traveled by taxi from Kasumbalesa to Lubumbashi. The fare was 6000 Conglose Francs (ZMK 30000). We passed through a toll gate as we left Kasumbalesa just as we passed through one as we entered Lubumbashi. The drive was good on a very well tarred road. Along the way I saw clearly labeled villages and townships. The drive to Lubumbashi took 1 hour. As you enter the city you cannot miss seeing a mine. Lubumbashi is in Katanga province, rich in minerals.

In Lubumbashi, I was taken on a short tour of the city by Bybo from Congo. I visited University of Lubumbashi. The university was founded in 1981 but has origins from 1955. Prior to operating independently, it functioned as the Université Nationale du Zaïre, Campus de Lubumbashi (National University of Zaire, Lubumbashi Campus translated from French). It is a large university with well over 1000 students in the School of Law alone! It does need some rehabilitation just like other buildings like the courts. Lubumbashi is a large city. It has impressive buildings with a French touch. I also saw the City Mayoral Offices and the shopping centre.

Congo River

I was in Lubumbashi for about 2 hours. I was impressed by the ongoing construction of buildings and roads. I was also impressed by the busy nature of the city. The city offers a big market for agricultural products and carpentry products from Zambia and neighbouring nations. There is need for entrepreneurs to exploit this market. Payment for goods is normally made in US dollars. This is a city I’d love to visit again for a longer period and do business with. I would also love to visit Luanda in Angola, to complete my visit of the eight neighbours of Zambia. Preferably during the African Cup of Nations, but that’s another story!

Biographical Sketches of Lusaka Baptist Church pastors

2009-09-17T04:29:00.001-07:00

Michael Eaton(1976 - 1977)

Michael Eaton (on the left) was the fourth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. He was a good expository preacher/teacher and prolific writer of many Christian books including commentaries on a number of books of the Bible.

Michael was born in 1941. He came from a very ordinary family in London. He became a Christian (late 1950s) when he was a teenager through a youth group in an Evangelical Anglican Church. The Billy Graham campaigns in London may also have played some part in his salvation.

He did his Bachelor of Divinity at Tyndale House Cambridge. He then entered the ministry as a curate (assistant minister) at an Anglican church in Surrey, England. In 1967, he resigned from the Anglican ministry on theological grounds and joined an Evangelical Free Church in south-west London. In March 1969 he moved to Zambia where he and his wife Jenny joined Lusaka Baptist Church and later became a deacon and an elder. From early days in the church he taught an adult bible class, and preached frequently on Sundays. He studied for a year at UNZA doing a teaching diploma. He began teaching English at Libala Secondary School in 1970 and remained there until 1976. In 1976 he became the pastor of LBC when Graham Ingram moved to Cape Town.

Throughout his ten years of residence in Zambia he used his gift as a Bible expositor in building up Christian groups at UNZA, speaking at student conferences, church conferences, starting the Zambia branch of the Evangelical Library, counselling and inspiring many individuals. Michael Eaton has written more than forty Christian books, most of them specially written with African young people in mind; but they have a much wider circulation. His doctoral research at the University of South Africa was on the Christian and the Mosiac law. Michael has a longstanding connection with Westminster Chapel in London and has written on the theology of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He has lectured in the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa, Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology and Nairobi International School of Theology. After a brief period back in England studying and writing, he became pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church from about 1978-1982. He then moved to South Africa to pastor Rouxville Baptist Church, Johannesburg where he pioneered multiracial ministry.

Michael has been pastor of Chrisco Christian Fellowship in Nairobi since 1986. He married Jenny whom he met in the UK in 1968. Jenny was born in Kenya though she is originally from England. They have two sons and two daughters i.e. Tina is married to Roger Gysling and lives in Switzerland, Calvin is in London, Carey married Stephanie in 2003 and they live in Australia. Trevecca married Jason Tiro in 2005. They also live in Australia.

Trip to Mozambique

2009-08-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Maputo City

Normally we feel comfortable visiting people and places that are familiar to us. This makes us feel at home and easily interact with people in those places. However, there are times when we must visit places which are not very familiar with us. Such was my experience when duty called me to travel to Mozambique to attend a UNESCO Sub Regional Seminar. The Seminar had participants from Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Germany and USA. The Seminar was held in Maputo the capital city from 15th to 17th July 2009. Mozambique is a former colony of Portugal hence the official language is Portuguese. “Bem Vindo” in Portuguese means welcome in English. These are the words that greeted us at the International airport in Maputo where we landed at 20 00 after a 1 hour flight from Johannesburg. Earlier we travelled from Lusaka to Johannesburg in the morning for 2 hours and had an 8 hour stopover in Johannesburg. We spent time with my workmate and a friend in Johannesburg doing a bit of shopping.

Group Photo of Seminar Participants

When we landed in Maputo aboard the Mozambiquan National Airline we were met by the hosts that ensured all visitors completed formalities at the airport. We got to Hotel Cardoso where we had been booked. I checked in and retired to bed after having a snack. The Seminar commenced on 15th July. It was held at the Joachim Chissano International Conference Centre. The Conference Centre is a great beauty of architecture. Indeed Maputo has many beautiful buildings. The Seminar was held in both English and Portuguese. One recurring Portuguese phrase was “Muito Obrigado” which means “Thank you very much”. The Seminar presentations were excellent including the group discussions on Distance Education in the Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) sector. The meals were good both at the Conference Centre and at Hotel Cardoso and Hotel Hoyo Hoyo where some Malawians, a Namibian and I moved to for the last two nights. One of my friends states that Portuguese food is probably the best food in Africa. I’d not want to argue with that view for the food I tasted was superb. The fish is well cooked with good seasoning of spices.

Gabriel and Eric next to Indian Ocean

What can one say about Mozambique? This is a large country, one of Zambia’s eight neighbours. It has a very large coastline on the Indian ocean. Thus it is an ideal destination for holiday makers of International Conferences. One can enjoy the assorted sea foods and visiting the beach. One can also go back home with souvenirs of sea shells, Capulana (wrappers for women), Mozambiquan music etc. Mozambique became independent in 1975. It’s first leader, Samora Machel (who died in a plane crash in 1986) embraced Marxist ideology which in some ways led to a poor economy. The economy was further damaged by a civil war that lasted for years. However, in recent years Mozambique has been rebuilding it’s economy and has recorded positive economic growth. Indeed Mozambique is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. It has a lot of infrastructure development taking place in addition to the already beautiful buildings found in Maputo. Most residents live in tall flats found in the town centre. Maputo is a very big city probably ten times the size of Lusaka. The street names bear some Marxist names as evidence of the early love affair of Mozambique and Marxism. The people are generally friendly and are willing to help. In recent years, English language is been by some residents. This makes it easier for visitors that speak English to communicate. It is wise though for visitors to learn some basic Portuguese phrases as some locals only speak Portuguese.

Maputo at night

Mozambique like many other sub-Saharan African nations faces challenges of unemployment, pandemics such as HIV & AIDS, limited number of places in the education and vocational training fields. The Mozambiquan leadership has put in measures to address these challenges. Mozambique is a nation eager to move forward and put behind the years of civil war. Much has been done and much more is yet to be done. However, in all Mozambique to totally embrace the life changing power of the gospel to be transformed into a righteous nation. God bless Mozambique! God bless Africa!

Biographical Sketches of Lusaka Baptist Church Pastors

2009-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Graham Ingram (on the left) was the third pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church from 1969 to 1976. He played a leading role in seeing the church change from primarily serving the Europeans and expatriates to an indigenous church with a major outreach to students.

Graham Ingram was born near Sheffield in the north of England. His family was not Christian. He became a Christian in 1955 when was eighteen years of age and doing compulsory military service. A few months before he had been strongly influenced by two young men who were preaching in the street. Through their words the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin. Six months later after meeting some more Christians, and seeing Christ in them, he knelt by his barrack room bed - in front of 20 other soldiers – and surrendered to Christ. Ingram was educated at the King Edward VI Grammar School in Retford, Nottinghamshire; the City of Sheffield Teacher Training College and Spurgeon's College in London.

From early on in his Christian life Graham was aware of a call to preach. It was whilst was training to be a teacher, in 1958, that his pastor spoke to him about the possibility that God wanted him in the Christian ministry. He went to study at Spurgeon’s College. In the early years the college carried the cost of his studies. His family had rejected him because of his faith and determination to preach. He was not allowed to visit his home for four years. God supplied all his financial needs. In the latter part of his theological education he received government bursaries.

Graham become pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in January 1969. Before that he pastored South Lee Baptist Church in London. Other churches where he ministered include Wynberg Baptist Church in Cape Town, Vineyard Fellowship, Grace Fellowship all in Cape Town. Others are Long Beach Metropolitan Community Church in California, Wycliffe Baptist Church in England and Fish Hoek Baptist Church from 2004 as missionary and assistant pastor.

Graham’s ministry played a great role in making LBC burst its seams in terms of membership of a large multi-racial church. He was influenced by the preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and systematically and passionately expounded the Scriptures. Ingram pioneered evangelistic outreach to various secondary schools and UNZA. Many students came to Christ through the special evening services for students. The membership of LBC grew to over 200 in those years. This led to the extension of the church building. Ingram preached from Romans, Ephesians, Revelation and topics such as Revival, Prayer, “People who met Jesus”. Muwowo (2001:1) says “the pastor preached with such intensity that some convicted of sin could not leave their seats at the end of a service.

Biographical Sketches of Lusaka Baptist Church Pastors

2009-07-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Basil Medgett was the second pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church from 1961 to 1967. He was instrumental in establishment of Baptist Churches in Luanshya, Ndola and Lusaka.

Basil Medgett was born on 1 January 1924 in Whitstable, Kent, England. He attended Faversham Grammar School. He was born in a Christian home where the example of Christian parents meant a lot to him. His father, Cyril, was a lay preacher of the Church of England. Basil learnt of the of the gospel from his parents. He became a Christian at the age of fifteen during a series of special services held in his home town. His parents hoped he would become a Minister of the Church of England, however the Lord had other plans. Basil was posted to then Southern Rhodesia while serving in the Royal Air Force in World War Two and joined the Bulawayo Baptist Church. He did this after coming to see the Scriptural pattern for the Church.

For some time Basil was convinced that the Lord wanted him to serve in business life, however with time the Lord led him to the ministry. He later was a member of Ndola Baptist Church (where he was the second pastor) in the early 1960’s. He also started Luanshya Baptist Church in 1957 and the church was finally constituted in 1958. Medgett also served as Principal of Fiwale Hill Bible College which he established in Ndola rural in 1961. He started a course of Bible instruction for men whilst there. He laid a good foundation on which the work has continued and increased.

Basil became pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in 1964. At the time he was being called, the church was struggling financially with the income being less than the budget, yet Basil still accepted the call! Such was his commitment to the cause of Christ and the gospel! Basil left Zambia for Canada in 1967. He served as pastor of Argyle Road Baptist Church in Regina from 1967 to 1974 and the Olivet Baptist Church in New Westminster, B.C. until 1977. Apart from that he was also a part-time lecturer at the Baptist College in Vancouver. His special interests were history, reading and world affairs. He married Katie Kroeker on 22nd May 1954 at a mission station in Southern Rhodesia. Katie lives in Canada. Their children are Kathleen and Dayle. Dayle is senior pastor of Westview Baptist Church in Canada. Dayle is married to Dawn who is in charge of the children’s ministry.

Basil died after a short illness in 1983 in Canada. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church, Lorne Street and Victoria Avenue.

Biographical Sketches of Lusaka Baptist Church Pastors

2009-07-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Derek Harris (1959 - 1961) on the left margin was the first pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church.He played a pioneering role in establishing the church. He was passionate in evangelistic work. Derek was born on 6th April 1927 and was the fourth child of a family of eight. The eldest and youngest were girls with the rest boys. Derek was born, educated and worked in London. Derek was converted during his teen years through the Youth Ministry of the Brethren Assembly. In 1945, just before the end of World War 2, he received his Call-up papers to serve in the Royal Navy. During those years he became involved in a “Force Witness Team”. He always showed a keen desire to win souls for Christ.

Derek married Barbara Irene Monro on 8th January 1949 at a Brethren Assembly, where both had been converted and were actively engaged in the Lord’s work. They emigrated to Ndola in Zambia in 1951 where they got involved in Youth Work. To-date some testify of how this Youth work was a blessing to them spiritually. Derek felt the call to the Ministry after attending a meeting where Dr. Charles Stern spoke at Ndola Baptist Church in 1958. Derek applied to the South African Baptist Union as a correspondent student.

He was called to be the first pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church on 1 January 1959. Claude and Charles Kidwell (brothers) were pioneers in establishing the Church and were key in calling Derek to Lusaka Baptist Church. Though the congregation was small initially, it grew in strength and numbers leading to the construction of a church building. Lusaka Baptist Church was constituted as a church on 2 July 1961 with the building being opened for worship on 23 October 1961. Derek’s ministry at Lusaka Baptist Church was an exciting time as the work grew with a number of baptisms. From a beginning of 15 people who met in a classroom, the number grew to a membership of 50 (meeting in their own church) when Derek left the pastorate in May 1961. The Sunday School work grew but the Youth group was very small.

In April 1961, Derek received a call from First Baptist Church, East London in South Africa, to become the first minister (pastor) at Stirling Baptist Church. In 1966, Derek was invited to lecture and use his building experience at the Baptist Bible Institute, Fort White, near Alice in the border area of South Africa. At the time, the training college was for black pastors. Derek was involved in preaching appointments at different churches and taking students on deputation visits. It was a very rewarding work, though there was also a lot of stress and, for domestic reasons, Derek felt it necessary to resign from the ministry.

Remberance of Josiah Konayuma

2009-07-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Introduction

28th July 2007 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the death of our late father Josiah Konayuma (shown on photo on the left). He was born (number six in a family of ten) in Simulyamana village in Choma to Syamatendu and Ntozye Konayuma. This brief article is a memoir of dad and the impact he had on us as a father, relative, husband, worker and friend.

Remembrance as husband
Dad's marriage to mum was his second one. Dad's first marriage ended in 1966. Dad married mum in 1967, a marriage which ended twenty-five years later due to dad's death. The fact that the second marriage lasted this long and was terminated by death is a testimony of how dad and mum did their best to make their marriage work despite the many challenges they faced as a married couple. Dad met mum in Mwinilunga and married her in Kitwe. This marriage was blessed with five children: Gabriel (1968), Linda (1971), Catherine (1972), Kenneth (1972) and Tendai (1983).

Remembrance as father
One of the recollections I have of our father is when I was four years old. At the time we used to stay in Sikanze police camp in Lusaka. I'd always look forward to my father returning from work (Police headquarters). I composed a song (why did I not become a musician?) in Citonga. The song was "Oh batata mubole eneno" which means "Oh daddy come back soon". I can still remember the tune. Maybe I've missed my calling in music?

Dad provided a lot of emotional, material and financial support from the time I started my primary schooling in 1974 right up to the time I completed my university education in 1991. I remember the times dad would check our school work and assist when and where he could in our homework. Dad was committed to ensuring that my brothers and sisters got a good start in life by getting a good education. He carefully filed all our school reports (which I still have) from primary to secondary school days. Dad encouraged us and others in their academic work. He had a lot of confidence in our academic abilities. He also encouraged us to worship God. Dad supported our attendance of youth camps i.e. by Scripture Union and Lusaka Baptist Church.

Dad rarely beat us, but when he did you remembered the beating for a while! He preferred to advise and talk to you. He was soft spoken but firm in his convictions. He tried to win one over to his line of thinking by gentle persuasion.

Dad did his best to support the children (our step-sisters) from his first marriage. He provided material and financial support to them.

He also taught us the importance of hard work. He used to work hard in gardening. He was particular that the quality of gardening was high. Another virtue we learnt from him was cleanliness. He taught us the importance of cleaning the bathroom for instance, and leaving it spotlessly clean for the next person.

Dad also taught us the importance of buying books and reading. In days when it was difficult to buy books abroad due to the scarcity of foreign exchange, dad made it a point to buy a book or two every month from the United Kingdom. He loved to read and would create time to read.

I also recall the time we went on holiday as a family with dad to Livingstone and Siavonga in 1989. It was good to relax on the shores of the Zambezi in Livingstone at the then Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel. It was good to cruise on the Zambezi river for on a boat.

Remembrance as a relative
Dad was a son, uncle, cousin, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, son-in-law and so on to many. As a son to his mother, I recall the trips to the village to see his mother (my grand mother). We would begin these trips at about 04 00 in the morning and arrive about mid-day. We would spend a night in the village and return the following day. During such times dad spent what I suppose were quality times with the mother sisters, brother and other relatives. He would distribute whatever items we had carried for the people at home. In return, we would get some village processed mealie-meal (I was reminded of this mealie-meal at a recent trip to Malawi when I had some nshima from Lilongwe Hotel). We would also have a cow slaughtered for us. Dad loved his mother and was close to his elder brother ba Amos (late) who looked after him when he was a young boy. The extent of dad's love for ba Amos was evident when he died in 1986. When dad got the message of the death of ba Amos on phone, he broke down with grief.

A number of relatives stayed with us for various durations. Our home was open to many due to the hospitality of mum and dad. A number received support to complete their educational studies. Dad also gave advice to many relatives. A good number of relatives took after dad in his calling as a police officer. Among those who became police officers are Kenneth (my young brother), Sladden, Siandenge, late Tamunana, etc.

Remembrance as a police officer
Dad joined the Police Service in the 1950s and continued in the service until 1990 when he was retired after having been recalled in 1985. He worked in various stations such as Kafue, Mwinilunga, Kitwe, Ndola and Lusaka. He loved his job and worked hard. When he was recalled in 1985, he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. In 1986 he was promoted to Commissioner of Police, a position he held until 1990 when he was promoted as Inspector General of Police. Dad always ensured that his uniform was smart. He would spend a long time cleaning his shoes.

Dad's employment in the police service led to his visiting a number of districts in Zambia and a number of countries within and outside Africa. Some of the countries visited include Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yugoslavia, etc. As happens when a parent travels, we would present shopping lists of what we wanted dad to buy us. We always remember with humour, when dad left for USA with a small travel bag with a few clothes. He was to be gone for weeks. How could he survive with so little? When he returned, we were proved wrong. He came with so much 'katundu'1 that his strategy was justified. What I treasured more than clothes bought for me were books bought for my studies. Clothes I wore then, but the books are there even to date. They can still be used by me and others.

Remembrance as a retired worker
Dad was retired twice. The first time was in the 1970s and the second and final time in 1990. The first time dad was retired, he was offered a job as a commissioner in the Police and Prisons Service Commission. Though it may not have been as a glamorous as being a police officer, he worked hard in the job until he was recalled to the police service. The second time dad was retired, he took up farming in Kafue. He also had more time to chat with us as children. We treasure the moments we had together to get to catch up with some aspects of his life. I only wish we had maximised on those moments.

Remembrance as a friend to others
Dad had a number of friends in the neighborhood and in other towns whom he maintained contact with. Some of these friends were Frederick Hapunda, Yuyi Libakeni, Mr. Lukona, Mr. Mudawanhu, Mr. Zulu etc. Dad could count on the friendship of his friends just as they could count on his friendship.

Conclusion
This brief memoir has tried to summarise over fifty-six years of dad's life in this article (an almost impossible task!). The purpose has been to have a brief overview of dad's life as it is seen in his roles as husband, father, relative, friend and police officer. We give thanks to God for the privilege of knowing him during the time he was alive. We thank God for the lessons we learnt from his life.

1 Katundu means luggage

Lessons Learnt from recent trip to Senegal

2009-06-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

In my last blog, I wrote about my trip to Senegal (26th to 30th May 2009) where I shared about my experiences in that amazing West African nation. In this blog I share some of the lessons I learnt from my trip to Senegal. There are ten lessons that I would like to share.

1. I learnt of the enterprising nature of the Senegalese. The Senegalese are very hardworking and enterprising. One sees this immediately one lands at the International airport. You see it in the markets and in town. It’s also evident at tourist places. Here in Zambia we have known the Senegalese cross many nations to come and mine and buy precious stones which the locals are not even aware of. There’s a lot that Zambians can learn about the need to be entrepreneurial. To seize opportunities to make a profit by offering goods and services that add value to the community and society.

2. I learnt of the value of learning international languages. In this case I’m speaking of French. After learning French for six years (1981 to 1985) at secondary school and (1987) at university, I but all lost track of this lovely language until 22 years later when I had to recall the bit of French that had remained in my head. That’s when I appreciated the importance of knowing international languages. International languages such as French, Portuguese, Spanish and may I add Chinese (Mandarin) need to be taught in schools in addition to local languages. Where these are not taught, individuals must make extra efforts to learn the official and local languages for the places they are visiting. There is nothing pleasing to people from a nation you are visiting when you are able to speak their local language. In addition knowing a foreign language opens doors! The Senegalese especially those in Dakar have made great efforts to learn English. We can learn from them on knowing two or more international languages.

Atlantic Ocean

3. I learnt of the importance of a good diet in promoting good health. The Senegalese eat mostly rice, fish, vegetables and fruits. Could it be why a number of Senegalese look healthy? There is need to learn from the Senegalese and other West Africans, not forgetting the Indians, Chinese and Greeks on the value of having good diets. A diet full of fat, salt and sugar though sounding tasty is an enemy to our health.

4. I learnt of the importance of taking advantage of one’s geographical position and resources. Dakar in Senegal is at the most Western point of Africa. In the days of slavery that made it a perfect point for collecting slaves from other parts of Africa and dispatching them to Europe and America. Now at a time when African nations are independent, Dakar has become an important gateway to Europe and America by air and sea. Some airlines from America and Africa have made Dakar Dakar is also a favourite host of many international conferences. Dakar is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean making it a good tourist city to host Conference. The Senegalese have taken advantage of the growing importance of Dakar by investing in infrastructure development which includes the construction of a new international airport. Zambia is gifted with enormous natural resources and though landlocked is surrounded by eight neighbouring nations – a wide market at it’s doorsteps! There’s need to maximise on the comparative and competitive advantage.

Shopping Centre in Dakar

5. I learnt of the importance of infrastructure development in an economy. In most parts of Dakar in Senegal, there’s a lot of infrastructure development. This is of mostly houses, commercial buildings and roads. The positive ripple effects of such developments on the economy can be imagined. Zambia has seen some positive trends in infrastructure development in recent years. There is need to have even greater strides made in infrastructure development so as to stimulate phenomenal economic growth.

6. I learnt of the significant role that Senegalese working abroad have made on the Senegalese economy. A number of Senegalese working in the Diaspora send lots of money to relatives on a monthly basis. This has a significant impact on the cash inflow into the Senegalese economy. The same is true of Zimbabwe and I have no doubt even Zambia. There is need to enact favourable regulations that facilitate the flow of funds from locals working abroad.

7. I learnt of the reduced crime rates due to very strict ways if dealing with thieves and other offenders. While advocates of human rights may cry foul with the sometimes very severe ways that offenders in Senegal maybe treated, one can not help but notice that Dakar is one of the few friendly and safe cities in Africa. One can walk at night and not be harassed as in other African cities.

Public transport in Senegal

8. I learnt of the friendliness of the Senegalese people. They are generally hospitable and helpful. They offer true and warm African hospitality. Their efforts to speak English is amazing. Coming from an English speaking nation, I’m aware at how very few of my fellow nationals are willing to learn or speak French or other foreign international languages to make their guests feel at home.

9. I learnt of the greatness of an African heart when you meet a Senegalese person. Senegal like a number of other African nations lost a lot of it’s brothers and sisters to the Western world through the inhuman slave trade. Yet when one visits Senegal you see them co-exist with the French and other nationals that were involved in the slave trade. That is amazing. Something of God’s common grace!

10. I learnt of how widespread Christianity is. In a nation where 95% is Islam and Christianity only 5%, it is amazing that even then Christians exist. God has a remnant in every nation. God’s word will be proclaimed to every nation before the end of the world comes and Christ comes to take His waiting people home!

Visit to Senegal

2009-06-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Zambian delegation at eLearning Africa Conference in Senegal

Doing things for the first time can be interesting and a bit unsettling! Such was my frame of mind when I made my first visit to Senegal, a Francophone and a Muslim nation. From 26th to 30th May last week, I travelled to Senegal to attend the 4th eLearning Africa Conference. I travelled under the invitation of UNESCO and the sponsorship of Commonwealth of Learning. I was invited to present a paper on Distance and e-Learning in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Zambia.

I got to Dakar from Lusaka via Johannesburg. Lusaka to Johannesburg took 2 hours by air. Johannesburg to Dakar took slightly over 8 hours. We arrived in Dakar at 01 00 hours. To my surprise and delight there was someone waiting for me at the airport. Though it was 01 00 hours, there were a number of people selling foodstuffs, sim cards, foreign exchange and other products. This was my first introduction to Senegal. A nation bursting with people that are eager to make a living by going the extra mile! People that are enterprising and realise that earning money is not done while you are lying on a bed thinking of the lucky winning numbers in a lottery. Agriculture is the main stay of the economy. Senegal has a population of 12.7 million. The major languages are French and Wolof. Wolof is also spoken in Gambia (the cousins to the Senegalese). Senegal sits on the Atlantic Ocean, at Africa’s most westerly point between Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, with The Gambia almost entirely enclosed within it. Senegal enjoys a steadily warm, year round climate, with a short rainy season between the months of June and October.

Le Meridien President, Dakar

During my stay in Dakar, I was accommodated at the Hotel Fana in the Alamides area near the Leopold Sedhor Senghor Airport. The airport is named after the first Senegalese president (also an accomplished poet) who ruled from 1960 to 1980. Senegal is one of the nations that has had peaceful transitions of governments in Africa. Abdiou Diouf was the next president followed from 1980 to 2000. From 2000 to-date Abdoulaye Wade has been the president. Wade has been one of the architects and prime movers of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

My first day was spent doing registration and shopping for Senegalese clothes at the market. Registration was done by the organisers with students (in lovely green t-shirts) from higher institutions. We were assisted by a very helpful local lady (with a Zambian mother and Senegalese father) to buy the right materials at a good price. The Senegalese material is very good. Here I must make a defence of buying and wearing West African and other African clothes. Some say it’s copying West African clothing. But when we wear Western suits aren’t we copying them? What’s wrong of wanting to be African. Some say that West African clothes are too flashy and showy. Perhaps because of them being shiny and having laces and all, but African attire is generally that way and very colourful. The times I’ve worn African attire outside my country my white friends have commented that they are very good and colourful. I believe if we resolved as Africans we could easily replace the Western suits and clothes as office wear and elsewhere. We are just obsessed with them but our own African clothes are better by far. At least for us!

As we moved in Dakar we saw a lot of construction going on. This is of houses and office buildings. Senegal is quite developed. I understand that it is one of the advanced economies in Western Africa along with Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana and Nigeria In the evening, I joined the COL director, Joshua Mallett, and two ladies from Ghana and Jibril from Cameroun based in Burundi on a discussion of a project in Community Health Nursing by Distance Learning. This project is taking place in Ghana with Jibril (another name for Gabriel!) providing IT expertise and translation from English to French. COL are providing support to this project. After the discussion, we had dinner together. The meals during the Conference were excellent. They were a mix of French cuisine and local dishes. I drank some baobab drink and some local red drink which was very nice. One thing about Senegal is that they have a very good diet. The people there are generally tall, both men and women! They are not obese as we see around these part of Africa. They eat mostly fish and rice, vegetables and fruit.

Gabriel with conference delegates

On 27th May, the pre-conference events commenced. I attended the 3rd UNESCO-UNEVOC African TVET Summit where I also presented a paper. The following day, the Conference was officially opened by Abdoluaye Wade, the Senegalese President. He stressed the importance of e-learning as a way of combating the very high costs of attending traditional and exclusive higher learning institutions in the Western world. Wade speaks his mind. He is a focussed leader who knows where Senegal is and needs to be. He has a passion and vision for Africa. He is also a skilled negotiator that has been involved in a number of peace initiatives in Africa. The eLearning Africa had over 1300 participants from most African nations and other nations outside Africa. Sessions were both in English and French. The venue was Le Meridien Hotel very close to the Atlantic Ocean.

La Goree Island, Dakar

The last day (29th May) of the Conference had a plenary session, some parallel sessions and a debate on eLearning. On this day, we (Joshua, Josiane, Maya, Defa and I) went to Île de Gorée. What a combination! A Ghanian/Canadian, a French, an Arab, a Senegalese and a Zambian. In one ship with one purpose to see la Gorée island. This is an island on the Atlantic Ocean where slaves destined for America and Europe were kept before the ships arrived. Seeing the little dungeons where slaves were packed like sardines feels one with sadness. Sadness at the fact that people could be so inhuman to fellow humans! A total of 20 slaves were put into a very small room. The slave masters lived on top and the slaves downstairs. Slaves who were weak and sickly and did not get any better were thrown into the Atlantic Ocean to be food for sharks. The island receives lots of tourists who want to take a trip back into memory lane and have a feel of what the slavery was all about. Other activities on the island include eating at the restaurants, swimming, visiting the museum and purchasing of the art works and other products. Truly a visit to Senegal is incomplete without a visit to this island. The island was chosen because of it being on the most westerly point in Africa which was close to the Western world. Today sadly, many illegal migrants use Senegal as a departure point for Europe.

One can go on and on about Senegal. I learnt a number of lessons during my visit to Senegal. I’ll share these later as I’ve run out of steam as I’m still recovering from jet lag and it’s a few minutes to mid night. I’ll share the lessons in another blog. Suffice to say that my first trip to Senegal was interesting and one that makes you look forward to returning! I made a few friends including one from International Baptist Church in Dakar who was able to get me some gospel music in French and local languages.

Visit to Zimbabwe

2009-05-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you are about to do something, you know must do, you wish somehow it could wait or someone else could do it on your behalf. But try as you may to avoid it. You must do it. That’s the situation I found myself in, in late February this year, when it was clear that I had to travel to Zimbabwe when my late mum was admitted at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. I had to travel in order to bring Aunty Jescah (mum’s young sister) to be close to mum during her illness. I travelled on 25th February 2009 using a Piooner Bus from Zimbabwe. The bus left Lusaka at 15 30. We arrived in Harare at about 01 00. Such is the agony of travelling by bus. Taking almost 10 hours for a journey a car would take 6 hours or better still a plane 1 hour. The journey was made shorter by a lively discussion on religious and Christian matters by a Charismatic brother who was answering various questions from some passengers nearby. Zimbabweans can talk. Despite trying to follow the discussion closely, my weariness overtook me at some point and I drifted into sleep.

Mbare Bus Station where I got bus to Mutoko

I spent a night (or morning if you wish, as it was after midnight) at Russell Hotel in Avenues residential area in Harare. This is a budget hotel going for US $20 per night. The room I had has a bathroom/toilet, kitchen with self catering facilities, a living room and a bedroom with 2 twin beds. The hotel may not be one of the very best, but the beddings were clean and my body was tired so after having a nice and hot bath. In the morning, I had modest breakfast of some tea and bread served with some cooked maize porridge in the hotel’s restaurant. Thereafter, after checking out I walked to the bus station to board a bus to Mbare Inter-city bus station.

Mbare is quite an interesting area. With all sorts of characters and in years gone known for notorious thieves. I was at the station by 09 30 and bought a ticket. I was assured the bus would leave shortly for Mutoko. Somehow I knew that this was mere talk and would most likely leave at 14:00 which is the usual departure time. While waiting I went to check my e-mails and send e-mails at an Internet cafe (charging $1 per 40 minutes) at the shopping mall. As I used the net I noted one of the wallpapers on the PC I was using having a photo of Morgan Tsvingirai, the Zimbabwean Prime Minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU). It seemed to me that he was popular among the youths and urban dwellers that for long wanted change to come. Anyhow, eventually at 14 00 the bus left for Mutoko.

Denford with wife and daughter: my hosts in Mutoko

I arrived at Masenda Primary School at about 19 00. I then headed towards the village of my late Uncle Edward. A journey that should have taken me 30 minutes of walking took me almost 2 hours of walking as I got lost despite asking some people on the way. Twice I crossed a stream I was told to cross but after that the path seemed to lead nowhere! At one point, I just gave up and decided to head back to the school to find a place to sleep until the morning. However as I headed back I found an old couple whom I told my predicament. They offered to give me their son and his relation to escort me to my uncle’s village and we went back where I had come from. We even crossed the stream and used the path I thought led nowhere! We arrived at my uncle’s village where I met Denford my cousin with his wife. The wife served me some food and thereafter I told them my mission after which it was bed-time.

In the morning, I was escorted to see Aunt Jescah whom I told about mum’s illness and the need for her to travel with me back to Zambia, She was agreeable but needed to get the blessing of the elder brother, Uncle Enock who lives in another village about two hours walk hour, One has to traverse hills and valleys to get there! Mutoko (about 200km from Harare) is nestled with hills all around and is rich in granite. Denford (my cousin mentioned earlier) did this task. During the day I remained at the village as I did not want to be adventurous and walk that distance! I met my nieces and nephew (who has since passed away on 10th March). Uncle Enock came late in the day. It was a joy to meet him and the wife. It was my first time actually, After greetings and having supper, I explained my mission to him. He and the others around were agreed that Aunty Jescah returns with me back to Zambia. Uncle Enock can speak Bemba quite well as he worked in the then Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) in the 1960s. All said and done we retired to bed so that we could be up early at about 04 00 in order to catch the bus to Harare.

Hills in Mutoko

The bus to Harare came at about 06 00, The fare is $7. Mind you Zimbabwe is officially using US dollars and South African rands for commercial transactions. As a result some things are overpriced as it is difficult to find change for items less than $1. So one would find items e.g. Eat Some More biscuits going for $1 for two. This new financial policy has somehow helped restore some sanity into the financial mess Zimbabwe had plunged to. My aunt and I arrived in Harare at about 12 00. We set about looking for accommodation. We settled for Fife Hotel for Aunt Jescah going at $20/night and Horizon Inn for myself going for $30/night. Horizon Inn is clean with self contained rooms with hot showers. Breakfast is offered. Other meals can be bought from nearby Fife Hotel (for as low as $3) or nearby takeaways. We travelled to Lusaka in the morning using an Easy Go Bus that we boarded from Roadport Bus station. This station is for international bound buses. It is a clean station that is well maintained. All passengers have to pay departure fees of $1. The bus fares from Harare to Lusaka ranges from $10 to $20. We arrived in Lusaka at 17 00 after travelling for almost 8 hours. This then was my trip to Zimbabwe (houses of stone). This is a country I’ve visited most outside my own country Zambia. But each time I have different impressions.

Central Business District

Impressions of Zimbabwe

Some of the impressions of Zimbabwe on this trip were:

1. Zimbabwe seems to be getting back on it’s feet again. Shops were full with goods, though at a dear price. The use of foreign currency appears to have helped matters, though getting it by the locals is not very easy.

2. The GNU seemed to be working, though one would not want to believe that things are smooth and easy. Either there is a lot of acting by the key men Mugabe and Tsvingirai who have been rivals or the GNU is working. Time will tell. When one looks at the GNU in Kenya, one can see signs of it cracking up.

3. In terms of infrastructure, Zimbabwe is still alright. In fact as I took a good look at the infrastructure, I wondered whether it would be convincing for nations with poorer infrastructure to donate funds to a nation like a Zimbabwe. I think Zimbabwe can have cash inflow into the economy if it comes up with favourable tourist packages. It has good hotels and lodges with prices that can fit different pockets.

4. In terms of religion, Zimbabwe like any other African nation, is a very religious nation. There is still a strong attachment to ancestral worship especially manifested during funerals (I’ll talk about this in the next blog). In terms of Christianity, there is stronger affinity to Charismatic religion.

A Tribute to Mum

2009-04-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Betty Konayuma (1986)

Tuesday, 21 April 2009 marked 50 days since my beloved mum passed away. On 3rd March 2009 when I was in Mansa on duty I received an sms from my dear wife which stated “mum has departed”. My mother: Betty Rundu Konayuma died at the age of 65. She had turned 65 on 2nd February. This was after suffering a second stroke in eight years. She was admitted on 8th February. At the time she was staying with my young sister Catherine and her husband Matthew. She was in hospital for three weeks till she passed away. Mum is survived by four children i.e. Gabriel (myself) aged 41, Catherine and Kenneth aged 36 and Tendai aged 25. On the siblings side mum is survived a brother Enock aged 73 and Jescah aged 65 both living in Mutoko in Zimbabwe. I travelled to Zimbabwe to bring aunt Jescah when mum was still in hospital. This remembrance of mum focuses on mum’s early life, her studies, working life, family life and religious life.

Early Life and Working Life
Betty Konayuma was born on 2nd February 1944 in Mutoko. She went to Nahirira School in Harare (in Mbare area) where she did Sub A to Standard 6 from 1952 to 1959. Whilst working at a hospital in Harare, she attended to a critically ill patient in the absence of a doctor after prayer resulting in the patient’s life being saved. Her bravery and commitment to duty was awarded with a scholarship for short medical training to the United Kingdom. In 1961, Betty travelled to then Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) to do nursing training at St. Francis Hospital, Katete. After completion of her training, Betty went to work at Batoka Hospital in Livingstone in 1966. She was then transferred to Mwinilunga Hospital in 1969. Other hospitals worked in include Kitwe Central Hospital, Ndola Central Hospital, LENCO Surgery, Chainama Hospital and University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. Betty underwent in-service training in 1967 and 1977. Her work mostly involved mid-wife nursing. She developed close friendships with mothers whom she helped in delivering their babies. Due to demands on her time as a mother, Betty resigned from her nursing career. This shows the love she had for us as children and was willing to give greater attention to motherhood without the constraints of a full-time job.

Linda, Kenneth, Josiah, Catherine, Gabriel.
Seated: Betty with Tendai in arms

Family Life
Mum married Josiah Konayuma at Kitwe Magistrate’s court on 11 November 1967. This union was blessed with five children: Gabriel, Linda, Catherine, Kenneth and Tendai. Betty was industrious and was involved in gardening, selling of vegetables, clothes (which she made), ice-blocks and other products. Josiah died in July 1992 after an illness. She managed to educate Catherine, Linda and Tendai at University and Secondary School. She was a loving mother/parent to her children and others. She was a grandmother, aunty and relative that be counted on in times of joy and sorrow.

Religious Life
Mum was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Mother’s Union member at Cathedral of the Holy Cross. She encouraged us to pray and attend church when we were young. During her last years she loved to pray when you visited her. This could point to the fact that she had a relationship with God whom she depended upon.

Lessons learnt from mum
Mum instilled the following values in us and others who stayed in our home. Some of the values she instilled in us are:
• hard work,
• determination,
• foresightedness,
• hospitality and
• friendliness.

Hard work: Mum worked hard as a nurse especially when she was a mid-wife. She loved her job and had a keen interest in the patients she attended to. At home mum worked hard to ensure that the home was clean and that the family had good food to eat and nice clothes to wear. Mum would grow vegetables for sale and make cool drinks for sale. One time when I was a teacher at David Kaunda Technical High School and staying in Emmasdale, mum taught me how to bake scones which I would sell to the school tuckshop. This enabled me to raise enough transport money to get to work.

Determination: Mum was a determined person. This was not only seen during the time she got sick when she suffered her first stroke right up to the time she died, but even in healthier times when faced with challenging times she was determined to do what she could to go on. It was determination that led her to leave a place familiar to her (Zimbabwe) and come to an unfamiliar place. Through determination she was able to ensure that the late Linda (second born), Catherine and Tendai completed their studies after the demise of dad.

Foresightedness: Mum had a rare sense of foresight. At a time (1970s) when many in Zambia were not thinking of owning property, mum together with dad acquired some property in Emmasdale which was to become a family home for many years. Due to foresight mum saved money for hard times.

Hospitality: Hospitality in the home is made easier when the lady of the home has an open heart. Mum opened her home to relatives and friends. She ensured that their stay was comfortable by providing good meals and clean beddings. I remember one time when my Scripture Union patron, Mr. Steve Winter and I, in 1982 arrived at home in the evening and mum readily accommodated him in our home!

Friendliness: Mum was friendly. She was friendly to the patients she attended to. Some of these became very close to her. She was also friendly to relatives and neighbours. She liked to assist those in need.

Conclusion
We thank God for giving us mum. She was a good mother and did the best she could do for us. Of the 65 years God gave her on earth, it was a privilege to spend the first 28 years of my life with her. Her death is but a solemn reminder that this world is not our home, we are just passing through. And so there is little sense in clinging to the material things of this life at the expense of our souls. As I end, I can say with Job, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be His name! Amen!

Remembering Cyrus Phiri

2009-02-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

REMEMBERING CYRUS PHIRI

December 2008 marked 5 years since the death of Cyrus Phiri. Cyrus at the time of his death was a husband and father. He was also a Baptist pastor and World Vision Programmes co-ordinator. He went to be with the Lord in his early 40’s. I first met Cyrus in 1981 at Kafue Secondary School where he was completing his secondary school (Form 5), while I was starting mine (Form 1). At the time he was the School Captain (Head boy) and Scripture Union Chairman. He was also a very good marathon runner. Let me share my remembrance of Cyrus Phiri by considering his conversion, character and conviction i.e. three C’s.

Conversion

Cyrus became a Christian in 1977 whilst doing his form 1 (grade 8) for you who did grade 10 in 1984. At the time he was involved in the School Choir and Scripture Union. However, he sensed that all these things were just following religious rituals without having a knowledge of Christ. After sharing about his spiritual life with Mrs. Carol Eathorne (Scripture Union patron) he was pointed to Christ and became a Christian. Cyrus then became a keen disciple of Christ and loved to preach and sing of the Savior. I remember some songs he sang like “There’s a man on the Cross, His name is Jesus Christ the Son of God”, I am going to a city where the roses never fade”. He was a very good guitar player.

Character and Personality

Cyrus was a quiet and honest man. However, he carried a lot of authority with him in whatever leadership position he had. When he called for attention in the dining hall to make announcements boys paid attention and became quite! He was a very smart man. As a student he had very well ironed uniforms. Cyrus also took a keen interest in you as a person. Despite being a Head Boy and School Captain he could make time to listen to you. He also had a good command of the queen’s language. Cyrus was someone who was loved and respected by pupils and teachers alike.

Conviction

Cyrus did what he did in life because of conviction. He loved to preach and sing because he was convinced of Christ as Saviour of the world. Cyrus because of his convictions would run from Lusaka to Livingstone to Kitwe for the cause of HIV & AIDS. He had lost siblings and instead of talk about it. He decided to do something to raise awareness about this disease. As Chairman of Scripture Union at school he encouraged us to meet in hostels as believers to study God’s word and pray together. He would attend SU meetings, sing in the choir (with his lovely soparano voice) and preach in SU, school services and school community with much passion.

Conclusion

As I end I quote these words from the song “I am going to a city” Cyrus used to sing at secondary school. These words were so fitting at his death. He is now in that city of the blessed.

I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Here they bloom but for a season,
Soon their beauty is decayed;
Where the tree of life is bloomimg
And the roses never fade.

I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Here they bloom but for a season,
Soon their beauty is decayed;
We'll be free from all temptations
Where the roses never fade.

I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Loved ones gone to be with Jesus,
In their robes of white arrayed,
Now are waiting for my coming
Where the roses never fade.

Lessons from Obama's Inaugration

2009-01-23T03:17:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday 20th January 2009, Barrack Obama was inaugurated as USA's 44th President. There was much euphoria on unprecedented levels. His campaign was quite intense. The campaign team to ensure that what was considered an outsider won the elections. And win he did by a landslide margin. What lessons can be learnt from Obama's ascendancy to the American presidency?

1. Doing things differently matters. Obama used social networking sites like Facebook to appeal to an online community and a younger generation. Did it pay off? Yes it did. We must be willing to try unchartered waters in the way we do things in our work places and businesses. How many are really using the Internet for competitive and strategic advantage? Using the Internet in business you can reach the whole world at the click of a button at a far lesser cost than the print media or TV.

2. Good presentation skills matters. One that seeks to serve in public office must have an acceptable level of presentation skills. They must clearly communicate their ideas and vision to others. They must not waffle and only make sense to themselves. I know some people are good orators but what they are saying is empty. I think Obama is not in that category. If you are a public speaker learn the tools of the trade from more experienced people, books and the Internet.

Obama taking oath of office

3. Being persuaded of your calling matters. It seems Obama was really convinced that politics was his calling. Despite the odds he had he forged ahead. I remember listening to a programme on BBC where a University don at Harvard University tried to persuade Obama to consider a career in the academic world. Obama refused and said he wanted to go into politics instead. The don shook his head and said "What a waste!". I'm sure the don is now saying "The young man knew what he wanted after all!" Do we know our life's calling? Or we are on train where we keep getting off at each station of career only to move to the next one because we are lost?

4. Working with the right team matters. Obama seems to have carefully selected his camapaign team who worked day and night to ensure that he won the Democratic Party presidency and later the national Presidency. We need to ensure that we work with the right people. One can have a team but the wrong team. One would want to assume that the team Obama has chosen to be leaders in his government is the right team. If not, they will undo what he tries to do.

5. Being persistent matters. Obama was persistent in his quest for political leadership. He faced the challenge of standing against a former President's wife in his own party but persistence won! He stood against an incumbent party but still won! I know some would say people were tired of Bush and his Republican party and that time for change had come. Maybe so. But Obama's persistence cannot be ignored. Let's learn to be persistent in our businesses and work places. We may have formidable opposition. Think of you operating a grocery store in your neighbourhood. How many have such? Maybe hundreds. Persistence will make the difference and your attitude too!

Jay Adam's Blog

2008-12-26T08:51:00.001-08:00

I've not been able to post anything on my blog for the past four weeks due to so much work pressure. However, today I thought I needed to squeeze in something before 2008 comes to an end. I thought I could share with you my latest blog discovery. This is a blog of Jay Adams (http://www.nouthetic.org/blog/?author=3) a renowned Christian Counselor. His blog is on current issues in Christendom that we will all easily relate to. Take for example his blog on Writing:

Writing

Just a word or two about writing. Since I’ve been able to do a great deal of writing in my life, I thought I’d pass along one suggestion that may help if you are one who has always wanted to write but didn’t know how to get started. It used to be when I sat down to write that I’d always wait until I was “in the mood” for writing. That was OK, except for one thing-I rarely was in the mood! That bothered me, because I just couldn’t make any headway that way. It’s what they call writers’ block. Then, I began to muse about how those newspaper guys could write fairly readable columns every day ! How did they do it? To think of it, they didn’t even have the incentive I had-they were simply out to make a buck; I wanted to minister through writing. Then, it came to me. Eureka! They must write whether they feel like it or not.

So, I decided that I would sit down and write-whether I felt like it or not. I did, and I found out that to do so was the way to “get into the mood.” Sometimes it takes a paragraph-or even a whole page of writing-before the “mood” comes over me, but inevitably, whether tired, invigorated (as much as an 80 yr old can get), or whatever, it happens! So, I suggest, have at it, you inspired writers. There’s no better way to start than to start. Sure, you may have to throw a page or so away, but then turn the next page into the first one. It’s only by then that you’ve probably got something worth saying anyway!

Source: http://www.nouthetic.org/blog/?p=82#more-82

Another example is a blog on Don't Ask Me (Does this title remind you of a programme on ZNBC TV in years gone by?)

Don’t Ask Me

“It’s time someone said something about it!”, or “You ought to write a book about . . . ” I hear those sorts of things all the time. But, wait a minute-why should I be the one to do it? What about you? If you’re the person with the burden, you ought to write the book-or the article-or do that ‘something’–or keep quiet! I’m about up to here [look up into the sky at a passing cloud, please] with people who see needs, express their desires for others to meet them, and themselves do nothing but talk. When they pressure others to “do something,” they seem to think that they’ve exhausted their responsibility. Not so!

Now, another thing (since I’m at it) let me tell you that all of that pressuring usually will get you nowhere. At least with me. If I write about a matter, it’s because I want to do so-not because I’ve been pressured into it. I once wrote something under such pressure, but it was the worst thing I ever wrote (except, come to think of it, some papers in college). I’m sure that others besides me have experienced people with pet concerns grabbing their arms and demanding, “You must do something about that!” If they are bold enough to tell you what to do, why don’t they show some of that boldness by doing it themselves?

There are people who have clout who could do what the rest of us can’t do as well-but won’t. There are people without clout who could do what the rest of us can’t do as well-but won’t. It runs both ways. But whether or not you have clout-do that something you always keep talking about, and we won’t have to struggle to overcome your insistence that we do something you could do better anyway.

Sure, I know-You’ve “never done that before,’ have no expertise, training, or whatever. So what? Try anyway. There was a time when the rest of us who are doing something couldn’t either. But we had to get started. 95% of the task is right there-get started, make a first attempt. Then stick to it until you achieve your purpose. Get the resources, if you need them. Learn the skills necessary to pull it off, if you haven’t yet acquired them. Spend time discovering what is necessary to get the job done. Then, do it rather than wasting your time and theirs trying to convince others to fulfill your desires or dreams! At any rate, get with it-do something and stop bugging others to do it for you!

Source: http://www.nouthetic.org/blog/?p=21#more-21

I hope you enjoy Adam's blog and read it frequently.

The Gospel in Ghana

2008-11-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

In my earlier blog on Ghana entitled "Akwaaba Ghana" I briefly mention on evangelical work in Accra. Below is an email from Pastor Ferguson Kcofie of Truth Missionary Baptist Church, a Reformed Baptist Church in Accra, Ghana. Please read and pray for the work.

On the left is Pastor Ferguson Kcofie with his wife and daughter (June 2008)

*************************************************************************************
Dearly Beloved,

It is a great joy to know that the Lord is still with you, and keeping you in good health for the sake of His name and ministry. For my part, the Lord is pleased, in a measure, to show me the suitableness and necessity of a humble, dependent frame of heart. A ceasing from self, and a reliance upon him in the due use of appointed means, I am far from having attained—but I hope I am pressing, at least seeking after it.

I have attached a brief report of our activities since last July.

• Church Business Meeting. We had a Business Meeting on the 19th, July 2008, two days after my arrival from attending the School of Theology in London. New officers were appointed and some old ones retained.
• Baptism. We baptized three candidates on August 3rd 2008 – two men and a young woman. We thank the good Lord for adding to His church those that He has called.
• Conference In Kumasi. We attended the 9th Annual Day Of Special Studies organized by the Reformed Baptist Church under the theme: The Warring Kingdoms. The date was August 30, 2008. I gave two addresses - Satan’s Strategies and The Christian’s Weapon For Warfare. All went well, and we trust the messages went down well with our people who were present at the meetings.
• Baby Dedication. On August 31st, we dedicated the baby girl of our brother Frank Okae-Kyei and his wife. We thank God for the life of this little girl, especially after a difficult pregnancy.
• Called To Glory. On Monday September 22nd, 2008, our dear and faithful Brother Anthony Ansah was called to glory. He was a faithful soul winner, dedicated and committed to the cause of the Lord. He served for many years as a Sunday School teacher, and later Superintendent. He was 69 years old. We thank the Lord for his testimony and love worthy of emulation.
• Grace Reformed Bible Conference, Cape Coast. This year’s Grace Bible Conference, organized by the Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Cape Coast was under the theme, The Foundations Of Faith And Life. The two-day conference was held on the 24th – 25th October. I gave two addresses - Deepening Daily Devotions, and Necessity And Elements Of Regular Repentance. We thank God for the positive responses to the messages. It is our prayer that our people will be helped spiritually.
• Memorial And Thanksgiving Service. We held a memorial and thanksgiving service for our Brother Anthony Ansah on 1st November 2008. Many Pastors and churches who knew him so well attended. We are grateful to all.

MINISTRY AT NEW BORTIANOR
Our desire to kick start a new branch Sunday School ministry at New Bortianor suffered a slight hitch. We needed to put a few safety measures to the meeting place. Since we were cash-strapped, we decided to look for another place. We have just concluded negotiations with the Proprietors of Believers’ International School for the use of their premises. We are now ready to intensify our visitation in the vicinity before we finally get started. We are timing January 2009. Pray with us.

Meanwhile, the few visits we have had in the vicinity are yielding positive results. Indeed, we are now more inclined to win over many of the young people in the area in order that they might help with visitation and the ministry, instead of taking some members of Truth Missionary Baptist Church to the place. This, we believe, will serve us well in enhancing the work of the ministry there.

MATTERS OF BLESSING
Despite great difficulties in ministry, we are thankful for the Lord’s blessings upon the work of the ministry. These are just a few:
• Faithful Gospel Preaching And Results. We thank the Lord for the work of conversion in the faithful preaching of the gospel. Just two Sundays ago, a young man and teacher by profession came and heard the gospel. He was convicted and talked with me afterwards. He has since been faithful in ALL church services though he lives quite far. He was here even for visitation last Saturday. We pray he will be eventually drawn to the Lord. His name is Kwaku Duah.
• The Faithfulness Of A Working Few. Again, we are thankful for the faithfulness of a few members who have shown great sacrifice and loyalty to the church and the Lord. Their obedience is a great encouragement to us. They are the ones who serve in almost every ministry, particularly the Children’s ministry and Sunday School.
• The Goodness Of The Lord. We are grateful to the Lord for His love, mercy, and kindness is preserving the peace of the church, our very lives, and my family.

“The LORD is good to all; and His tender mercy is over all His works” Psa. 145:9

MATTERS OF PRAYER
Faithfulness To The Lord. It is our prayer request that many of our members will be faithful to the Lord. Lack of faithfulness is greatly hampering the onward march of the Gospel.

Love And Zeal For The Lord. This is also a great need. It seems the “love of many” is waxing cold. Many are more concerned with their own ambitions and pleasures than the cause of the Lord.

Faithful Preaching Of The Gospel. In the face of many intimidating and almost overwhelming ungodliness, please pray with us that our faith will not fail and that we may have boldness to “preach the word”.

Opportunities To Minister. Please pray with us that the Lord may open further doors of opportunity to reach out to many with the Gospel using whatever means available to us, e.g. Radio ministry.

Sunday School Ministry. We desire a spiritually fruitful work with children.

General Elections On Dec. 7th. Our nation Ghana will head for the polls on December 7th to elect a President and members of parliament. Please pray with us that nothing untoward may happen to derail the progress made so far in our part of the world.

MATTERS OF ASSISTANCE
• Accommodation. My family and I are still looking for a modest and roomy accommodation.
• Means Of Transport. We need a strong vehicle or mini bus to help us in the work of the ministry, particularly with the New Bortianor outreach.
• Other Logistics. We need other things like an organ, computer and printer, photocopier, projector, etc.
• Finances. We are also having our fair share of the global financial and food crisis as a developing third world economy. Life is becoming increasingly difficult and problematic. We are having a lot of dependants, lots of people to help and feed. If there is any way you can assist us, it will be greatly appreciated.

ASSISTANCE FOR BROTHER AUGUSTINE OWUSU – ADDO
I write also on the behalf of Brother Augustine Owusu-Addo to request urgent financial help for him and his family. Presently, his landlord is threatening to eject him and his family from their present house. He is dire straits and need urgent and immediate financial help. By the end of the month he needs to quit his house. You might recall that I raised the issue of his need recently to you.
Brother Augustine Owusu-Addo has been a great encouragement and help to us. He is actively involved in the work of the ministry here and will soon undergo training for the pastoral ministry.

All these matters I have placed before you to solicit your help and prayers. I trust I shall hear from you.

The Lord bless and keep you faithful to Himself till His face we see.

Ever In Christ’s love,

PASTOR FERGUSON KCOFIE
Truth Missionary Baptist Church
Dansoman Estates, Accra, Ghana.

November 20, 2008