FCD’s bi-annual Graduation was held on the 3rd of December at Bergsig Dutch Reformed church. As always it was a very special event. The students dressed to impress as we welcomed corporate partners, donors, volunteers and part time trainers through the doors. Home made sausage rolls and red velvet cake was served prior to the start of the ceremony, all made by FCD’s amazing Bake for Profit trainers (with student assistence), Elaine du Toit and Anabela Beuke. We handed out 445 certificates this year while 408 families were impacted through our 7 skills programmes in 2019.
It is always a very special occassion and we are thankful to all our volunteers, donors, corporate partners and part time trainers, interns and permanent staff. Discovery and Portland Quarry kindly sent some volunteers to help us on the day, we are always grateful for their partnership. We want to also say thank you to Checkers SA for their contribution toward our ceremony through vouchers. Above all we thank God for His provision and grace throughout this year.
Our entrepeneur of the year was Portia Nyaniso (picture above- Cheryl van der Merwe, Portia, Jane Gelderman) : She was awarded this honor along with a gift voucher from PEP.
Portia completed the Job Readiness programme in 2015 while working as a conference runner at a local guest house. During the course, she realized that she wanted more for her life and that she wanted to make a difference in her community. She then completed a sewing course at a non-profit in Khayelitsha and continued to work with them as a volunteer for a full year. Being the good networker that Portia is, she reconnected with FCD coming to ask FCD director, Jane Gelderman, for advice about starting a non-profit. One thing lead to another and within no time, Portia was able to start offering sewing lessons from her home with 1 sewing machine.
Today Portia and 2 colleagues run a non-profit employing 7 staff members and offering sewing classes to 30 people a term. In addition to the sewing school, her team also manufacture traditional beading, handbags and aprons and have contracts to supply tracksuits to creches – including Shiloh.
Our most motivated to succeed awards were awarded to the following students:Â
Picture from left to right (starting at the back):
Cheryl van der Merwe (Head of Training at FCD), Sibabale Komanisi, Elaine du Toit (Bake for Profit trainer), Riana Mostert, Annietjie Wasserman (Frail Care trainer), Nocawe Mgadi, Tommie Masimbiti (Hospitality and Home Basics trainer), Anita Grove, Lezel Baatjies, Janet Links (Bake for Profit assistent trainer), Chantal Ruiters, Nkeletseng Jankie, Granville Habelgaarn, Zoleka Manziya, Nomonde Sekepe, Gabriella Jafta, Bradley Damons, Nonkazimulo Dube, Marjorie Motebele, Keikanne Matubatuba, Lizaan Wagenaar, Shenaaz Bulbulia, Ntombifikile Victoria Lusiti, Lilian Maggott, Miranda Ngxande.
Job Readiness Programme : Sisanda Mafunda, She was very shy at the begining of the course, but we witnessed her growing in self esteem and confidence as she started believing in herself, which resulted in her finding employment at Mcdonalds Brackenfell soon after finishing the course.
Job Readiness satellite (Fisantekraal class) : Luvo Ngxangxa. He was working as a Security Guard when he decided he wanted to improve his skills and was happy to hear that we were offering training near his home. He arranged to work night shifts so that he could attend the Job Readiness programme –and often came to class without getting any sleep the night before.
The Home and Hospitality Basics award goes to Nkeletseng Jankie. A quiet student, who’s diligence resulted in achieving top marks for her theory and practical work. We are encouraged by the commitment and passion she applies to everything that she does.
Office Basics Awards for the most motivated to succeed trainees of the 3 classes go to:
Nomonde Sekepe -always willing to learn new things and go the extra mile. Her excellent work ethic and enthusiasm resulted in an employment at the Lewis Head office where she completed her job shadow.
Lizaan Wagenaar was a model student, showing interest in all activities and taking responsibility for her learning. She too was employed by her job shadow partner, Engage (MMS)
Virgilee Kiewiets always participates in class and is always willing to go an extra mile. She is always willing to learn new things and makes sure all her work is done professional and up to date.
Frail Care Awards for the most motivated to succeed trainees of the 3 classes go to:
Zoleka Manziya was a very committed student that scored very high marks. She baked muffins to sell everyday to pay for her studies and transport. She often times served the class with the Word of God. She was also very popular where she did her practical training. A true blessing to everyone.
Riana Mostert. She was committed from day one and did study hard every day. Her theory marks average was 98%.remarkable! She has a compassionate heart to care for people and supported her class mates throughout the course by encouraging them and helping those who were battling to study.
Nocawe Mgadi, demonstrated strong leadership attributes. She encouraged and helped the whole class to study the difficult terminology. At the practicals she was recommended highly by the sisters.
Business Skills: Granville Habelgaarn. Granville signed up for this course because he has a desire to start his own catering supplies company. He was a very enthusiastic student and made an effort to develop relationships with his colleagues while applying himself to learning new skills. During the Business Skills programme he realized that he needs more experience in the catering industry and took the opportunity of gaining some experience in this area by participating in the Hospitality and Home Basics Course. Granville’s eagerness to learn and positive attitude has resulted in being offered employment by one Engage, one of our job shadow partners.
Our Bake for Profit : Miranda Ngxande, a driven woman who travelled from Paarl to attend the course because of her dream to open a bakery with her husband. Miranda took the Sales Targets seriously and opened a fixed deposit for R500 per week at Capitec bank for the duration of the course. This gave her the motivation to work hard to make the weekly deposit.