Graduation December 2020
We hosted our Graduation ceremony on the 9th of December at Bergsig Dutch Reformed church, the 1st one for 2020 as we were not allowed to host our June graduation due to COVID restrictions. We also had to split the event into 2 sessions due to Covid regulations. We are very grateful that we were finally able to celebrate the success of our graduates who completed their training during 2020, also the year in which FCD celebrated its 10th year of existence. For more than a decade, year after year we stand in awe of how God has sustained and guided the work of FCD – equipping people and impacting communities for good.
Covid brought about many hardships this year – but its in times of hardship, that community heroes arise. The past 3 months we were honoured to partner with people in our community to offer an enterprise development programme to a wonderful group of community champions – the operators and organisers of the Fisantekraal Community Kitchens. Thanks to the sponsorship of Rotary, Durbanville CAN and Durbanville Gemeente, we presented a customised programme to this group. The winner of one of the Most Motivated to Succeed awards was Mildred Engelbrecht who works as cleaner at a local church but also runs a Fisant community kitchen in her spare time. She shared how much she has grown during the course and now has started her own business in Fisant. Her generous and loving heart makes her a leader in her community and she will continue to have a positive impact in Fisant.
One of the Frail Care graduates Siphokazi Mqhele shared how she used to be a brick layer and how she found herself without work due to the lockdown. She then decided to do the Frail Care course at FCD. She never realised that her real passion was to be frail carer. She now knows that she is not a brick layer, but a frail carer. After completion of her practicals at Fair Trees Retirement Village, Siphokazi was offered employment there.
Another award inner Jessica Moni also flew the FCD flag high during her job shadow at KaapAgri Durbanville, whom we recently partnered with as a new job shadow partner. The 1st student placed there, Jessica Moni impressed KaapAgri management so much with her positive and energetic attitude during her 3 day job shadow that she was offered permanent employment shortly after that.
This year’s entrepreneur of the year award went to a different type of entrepreneur. Frank Bantsijang, who participated in our life skills programme presented to Pick n Pay Willowbridge staff, has proven himself to be a true entrepreneur. During the course, in the Dreams and Goals session, he shared that one of his goals is to publish a book. He says that he was inspired to write “The Day Naledi Went to School” when he saw children begging along the road on his way to work. We are in awe of the initiative shown by Frank to make his dream a reality. He used his phone to write his book and take pictures of the illustrations that he drew himself, and saved the funds himself – with the help of his wife – to have the book published. Today the book is available in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Setswana and is already been sought out by local schools . It was a great privilege to honour his enterprising spirit.
It is testimonies like these that encourage and inspire us to do what we do at FCD. We want to thank all our partners – businesses, churches, volunteers, part time contractors, our Board, staff and all who play such a critical role in making it happen, for their loyal support and hard work, especially during 2020. All glory to God for His provision and guidance throughout this tough year.
Our centre will close on the 18th of December for a much needed break but we will return in January 2021, refreshed and ready to serve and continue our work to equip unemployed people. Registrations for 2021 is still open and filling up quickly, so please encourage those who are unemployed and from vulnerable communities, to come to our centre in Durbanville and enquire about our services. If you would like to know more about FCD and how you can get involved contact us on 021 975 7764 or email info@fisantekraal.org.za. Please also follow us on Facebook and visit our website www.fisantekraal.org.za.
