As many readers already know, I am a documentary photographer. And while it was a pleasure to teach and develop courses in the Powerhouse’s skills development center, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t carve out some time to do some serious documentary work. There were many many stories I could have told, but what struck me most and seemed to be internationally important were the scores of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Mamelodi. Xenophobic attacks headlined world news around the beginning of 2008, and it seemed these foreigners (and neighbors) were being painted as the enemy. Yet as I got a chance to know many different Zimbabweans during our time in Mamelodi, I couldn’t help but be encouraged by their strong faith in the Lord to sustain and deliver them out of their dire circumstances where they struggled to survive just like their South African brothers and sisters. The photos below show just one of the many touching families and individuals we got to know. I personally learned a great deal from Vugani as a pastor and friend. You may view the photos below, or for a larger view (with full screen option) view them in the image gallery. Please note that some names have been changed in order to protect their identity.

In summary, the following relates Vugani’s struggle: Vugani managed a bakery back in Zimbabwe and made a good living. As the Zimbabwean dollar inflated rapidly and harsh political persecution set in, he left with his wife and two of his children were forced to cross the border, looking for a better life on the other side. Settling in Mamelodi, which exists in one of the wealthiest provinces of South Africa, he and his family are no longer starving, but are hardly living the good life they had imagined. With only his daughter’s income from washing dishes, Vugani and his wife Zanele must look outside their circumstances to find hope and strength.

Filed under: Stories and Zimbabwe by Nathan on November 30th, 2009. Tags: border, dreams, neighbor, pastor, refugee, Vugani, xenophobia, Zanele, Zimbabwe | 1 Comment

For more than a month now I’ve been developing and teaching an advanced-level class at the computer school offered at the Powerhouse. The class is on web design, meets three times per week and will run through the end of November (for those interested, I am teaching Dreamweaver). All the students have graduated from the intro-level computer course where they started with the very basics (“This is a mouse,” etc.) as well as mastered the Microsoft suite, learning Word, Excel and Powerpoint and even some Access.  Near the end of the web design course, I hope to introduce them to blogging and perhaps even help them figure out a way to make some income from that.  Any of you out there with ideas, please share them.  Sometime in early 2009 I hope to start another advanced-level course in Photography.  I’ll be sharing more info with out on that soon, but start looking around for used digital cameras to donate!

Teaching the class has been a real joy.  Beyond just teaching web design, I also get the opportunity to encourage them as individuals with God-given talents and abilities.  Today we discussed their hopes and dreams and it was exciting to think this course will, Lord willing, help them in the right direction (most of the students are taking the web design course in hopes of using the skills they learn to earn income).  Some of their dreams include being a: gospel singer, flight attendant, McDonald’s franchise owner, designer, policewoman and salesman.  Some also shared that they hope they can provide for their families, own a car and be happy.

My dream? To see them succeed at whatever God has called them to on this earth.

Filed under: General by Nathan on October 6th, 2008. Tags: computer school, dreams, web design | 8 Comments