We had a good time at the seminar from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th September 2016.
I handled the maize class and Brown handled the rice growers’ class from Tuesday up to Thursday. Friday was dedicated to cassava growing and those that are in business had a good time learning “Business Entrepreneurship”. We had 15 who learnt how to carry out their businesses.
We also had 15 people who were trained in cassava farming. There were more people who wanted to train but I was advised by the Committee members that they may not have enough sticks to train more than 15 people. I therefore respected their advice.
It is interesting to see the excitement people showed in learning new methods of cassava growing. We were equally excited that this program is being accepted by many people.
God willing, next year when we have many farmers with sticks to distribute, we will train more than 30 people. We are looking forward to this.
Saturday was used for the review. All the folk who had been previously trained were called and we had a good number of 42 people that attended. In the review I reminded the people of the need to return their loans so new loans could be distributed.
This was well received although we are yet to see their paying back and whether they will be able to buy the agriculture inputs this year.
Data collection was done by Brown and it was a job well done. When Judas went back home he left the program with Brown who has worked tirelessly to see to it that this information was collected.
I then had a good time with the Board members, reminding them of what we have achieved so far. All were tasked to assist in encouraging people to repay their loans. This money will have to come to the main account for security purposes. If all goes well we will have to bank between 10 to 15 thousand kwacha as loan repayments by the end of October or November 2016. When Judas goes back in November this will be an exercise he will work on seriously. Meanwhile Brown, Eunice and Grace will be collecting loan repayments from the farmers. Judas will have to reconcile all the finances and then bring the money across to Samfya.
Allow me to share the excitement and appreciation the people of Chaba showed when I shared about the Extension Program in partnership with Samfya Bible School that will be introduced there next year January 2017.
People were speechless and all they could say was well done. Many people are ready to be trained and started registering their names. I expect to have a good number of students and am looking forward to helping my people and my community to be impacted with the Word of God. It is one thing to assist people in the material things but as a teacher of the Word of God it is another and more to have souls won for Christ.
As I shared about this program, two offered to come to Samfya Bible School next year for Biblical Studies. I cannot be more eager to train people. This is a dream come true. Ever since I have been here at Samfya Bible School I have always been thinking how best I can help the people of Chaba with the Word of God. For funding for the Extension Program to have been approved by BHW is very humbling to me.
As soon as the School program is drawn up, I will be able to plan the Chaba Extension Program. I will have to see when I am needed at School and when I will be free to travel to Chaba and execute my duties there as well. I am as excited as Paul was when he was about to go to Spain and planned to pass through Rome. Going to Rome was his dream and he tried many times but couldn’t. However, God did open the door for him this time around. By God’s providence I will be able to teach my beloved people of Chaba. This is truly humbling to me.
God bless you at Bright Hope World as you continue to work tirelessly for Him, and indeed to all the people concerned to make this project a success.
To God alone be the glory and honour.
Bobo Peter Choma
Chaba Christian Care Group Coordinator