Nosiphiwo was one of eleven Evangeline students who graduated last July 9. It was such a lovely occasion and, normally quiet in class, she sang and danced with such joy as she received her sewing machine, Bible and three certificates for English, computer and sewing work well done.
Married and the mother of three children, she has faced huge hurdles in her life . Thankfully she works for a friend of mine who values Nosipiwo's potential. Janet asked me to include her in the class and I came to love Nosiphiwo's work ethic and sense of humour. She was so afraid to get into the small ferry boat at the Cape Town harbor when we had the class visit, but she told us she asked God to help her. She hugged the Nelson Mandela statue at the Waterfront as she recognized the man who had won her freedom in South Africa. Janet is not letting her rest now. She has invested in Nosiphiwo and how excited I was when they visited me with the most beautiful of place mats and cushions that Nosiphiwo made. Janet,her mentor, has made a financial investment in her and these superbly made items are ready for sale at one of the nicest stores in town. Nosiphiwo is also sewing traditional clothes for others- all this from a new graduate. Janet has plans too for Nosiphiwo 's computer skills in her business. I am so encouraged by this model and how we need more local business or interested people like Janet to help our graduates with a hand up and not a hand out. There is much promise in this area and we are looking ahead to more opportunities for Evaneline gradutes as the year moves ahead.
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