Happy Birthday “Boys”
October 27th We attended graduation of 24 members from the Triple L academy at the Bedfordview Stake Center. These individuals took a course over many weeks teaching business skills that would be helpful in starting or maintaining a business.
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The adorable daughter of a proud graduate! |
President Matsoso, counsellor in the Bedfordview Stake Presidency, presided and spoke along with Vivien Roberts, ERC Manager.
Here are some notes from President Matsoso:
Ask yourself “In the area I live, what is needed that no one else is doing?”
Often, we do not want to take the risk. We have a fear of the unknown.
“A man in university had to drop out. He hired on as a sweeper. He became the supervisor of the sweepers. After a period of time he ended up with a position in HR. By year 7, he was his manager’s manager and he received a company car. Next, he passed up a manager of 20 years. He then became a South East African group manager, a post that required an MBA, but they promoted him without the degree. In 14 years he was at the top of the company, Coca Cola in South Africa. He now serves as a consultant. He said, ‘We learn, we do, we become.’”
That person was President Matsoso.
He continued with, “Many are called but few are chosen, why? not many finish. Perhaps from discouragement, perhaps they did not see the end from the beginning.
How do you measure life? Look where you started and ended. It’s not about making big money.
A common problem among many is they want to do what everyone does.”
The graduates received diplomas and enjoyed breakfast together. We will teach Self Employment Workshops to the graduates in Tembisa and Vosloorus Wards in November as a refresher course.
The Jacarandas are in bloom.
October 28th We had the opportunity to visit Pretoria First Ward. We were invited to train in Ward Council at 7:30 am, where we had great discussion on how to solve unemployment problems through the Ward Council. We spoke in Sacrament Meeting about Self Reliance and Employment and bore testimony. During Sunday School time, we met with a couple with Bishop Schmidt to brain storm solutions to their unemployment challenges. After church, I met with Skills College applicants and the Bishop and Sister DaBell met with Sister Isabel, an Afrikaans sister, who shared her story of how she achieved self reliance through a self employment project.
Sister Isabel is in the Pretoria First Ward. This is her story.
Sister Isabel was a house wife, she had nothing to put on a resume or any training. She raised Charity funds and the charities gave her a percentage of what she raised. She became single.
Isabel’s daughter married. The husband was unemployed. Isabel encouraged him to make ginger beer to sell (like root beer) on the road side. Isabel was still raising funds. Then after 2 months the son-in-law got another job, and Isabel took over the ginger beer job.
Isabel read the bible often by the road side. Stewart Taylor Whose wife just happens to work here in the area offices, noticed her. Stewart introduced Sister Isabel to the Gospel, she is now a Mormon. Isabel’s business started with 20 two litre bottles. As she sold all of them, her business grew. She sat under a tree on a crate. She borrowed an umbrella. She had no table, just a crate upside down and an old ironing board.
Problems began when the daughter started asking for funds as the husband was by then gone, and Isabel started supporting the daughter and the then 3 children. Isabel knew that the daughter must do something for herself, but the daughter refused. Isabel worked Sundays to support them all, and became inactive –The Bishop gave her advice, stop supporting your 30+ year old daughter.
Should she be obedient to the Bishop or provide for her daughter? She said, “I made the wrong decision. I cntinued to support my daughter. I sold on Sunday. I did not pay tithing.”
Isabel decided to come back to church. She decided to stop supporting her daughter.
The bishop inspired her and “gave me guts.” It took a few long visits to build her confidence. Now she does not give her daughter anything.
In the meantime she has her business, and pays tithing. R 5000 a month income ($550.00) is enough for one person. She is a worker. 67 years old. She walks with a cane. She sits next to the road Monday – Saturday and sells traditional Afrikaans food products, ginger beer, fudge, jams and a couple of other things.
Isabel says, “It is possible for others to do this. I consider:
1. Who is my target group, Afrikaners,
2. I sell food because people eat every day
3. I have Quality product I am not the cheapest in town, but my quality is there.”
Isabel has a car and a cart now. When she started she had “stomach” problems. No restrooms. Then she prayed. Every morning she cleans out. Isabel says, “You can take any problem to Heavenly Father.” She makes her own ginger beer. The other items she gets from others who want to sell products in her stand.
Since Isabel stopped working Sundays and pays tithing,she has enough extra to give to the missionary fund, the fast offering fund, humanitarian fund, and provides a meal for the missionaries.
She says, “I chose my own way of life. I visit with friends daily. I am outside in the rain, wind, cold, or heat, but I have my regular customers. I don’t worry about being robbed. The Lord takes care of me. It feels so good to be self reliant.”
October 31 we had a change in our Employment Resource Office. Sevuyile Pezulu moved on to another job. He has been a fantastic intern. Elder DaBell and I asked him if we could adopt him. He would fit into our family very well. Sorry, though, he’s got a mother and is engaged to be married. He is a Returned Missionary, a Junior in Chemical Engineering, with a focus on water issues. He just secured a job in a company that deals with water and the job is a wonderful opportunity for his life’s profession. When we have someone in the ERC get a job, we ring the bell.
Coming in as our new intern, is Nombuso Sibanyoni. Nombuso is an exceptional young lady. She is a returned missionary who speaks 7 languages. She has the dream to be a diplomat. She has an honors degree in international Relations, and a Diploma in Media Studies.
October 31, also, we had the opportunity to host Elder and Sister Hoffman, the new medical advisors, they have served in the same capacity in the South Eastern United States. They are excited to overcome “sleep deprivation” and start serving.
I had 2 piano students come for their first lesson October 31. Minenhle, 9 years old, and Khumo, 7. Both sons of Dominic Tshabala in our office. I will have pictures for next week.
The Jacarandas are amazing! How did you get the colors so bright? The programs of the Church are also amazing. You inspire me, Thanks for your beautiful example. Ken
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