Stories
On the 30th of May 2023 I trained a group of people who are very hungry for information. The session was held Waterloo, KZN, at their community hall. By far, it was the best group I have ever trained for Avo. They participated enthusiastically, asking questions, sharing their experiences and providing answers, advices and solutions to various issues. During the unexpected events they came up with some hilarious but realistic circumstances, like, unplanned pregnancy, which also sparked a debate between men and women, and the issue of finding out that the child you have been supporting for many years is not yours, resulting in heart and hospitalisation. At the end of the session, they all requested that I need to come back with more trainings. Thank you Avo, for giving us the opportunity to uplift our communities.
On the 17th of April 2023, I had the opportunity to train a group of very dynamic and energetic people that are living with different disabilities ranging from speech,blind,deaf, poliomyelitis,aphysia,epelectic,etc. These learners where already part of a group that I was training on NQF Level 5, Supply chain management Learnership programme funded by National Skills Fund in partnership with Disability Economic Empowerment Trust and DPSA ( Disabled People South Africa).The session was based on a Module called Money fo Sho covering topics like, managing my money,managing risk,banking and saving and managing credit. The session started with a very high note, active participation and participants engaging and asking very relevant questions especially on the topic of budgeting and credit vs cash and consequences of therefore. These participants are now already in the workplace and receiving stipends. They have been giving me feedback indicating that now they arleady started to use the budgeting tips that they received in the session and are already making more research with the different banks on saving and investment options. The are indicating that the sessions are very informative and they are an eye-opener to a number of things that were discussed in the sessions. They thank Avocado Vision for bringing these types of trainings to them as most often feel neglected and not given and trainings as the disabled community. They are requesting that Avocado Vision please bring training of this nature to the rest of the disable community. Thank you very much Avo!!!!
On Thursday and Friday the 11th and 12th respectively, I had the opportunity to work with 32 Community Works Program officials (formerly referred to as EPWPs). Over the two days we had four sessions, MM 10-13. In all four sessions, it came as a shock how stigmatic the topics we were discussing were! Ranging from module 10s young people and money to module 13s funding a funeral. The Stigma came from the fact that people in this community are very touchy about discussing finances, more so discussing it with children or in the presence thereof. Once the ice was broken through game play and scenario reenactment, everyone softened up and participation was plenty. At the end of the sessions, participants pleaded that we return with more training as soon as it becomes available and they are grateful that they had been able to debunk financial myths and fears.
Most of my trainees were young people of Mangaungging ,90% of them did not see a necessity to save or invest. They were appreciative about the training and most mentioned that they've been taken a lot especially when it comes to money for granted. The training really changed their mindset, eight of the trainees decided that they going to open up a stockvel. "They said the training made them realise the importance of saving money". And investing which allows one to enjoy greater security in life. And again if one have cash set aside for emergencies, one can have a fallback should something unexpected happen.
Plot 41 was a home for a white woman called Dinie that is why it is called Dinie Estate. She was rich and did not have children. All her workers were her children. Lawyers were looking after her assets. After her death lawyers paid all workers then Land affairs bought the plot and hand it over to municipality for development The victims of evictions from were allocated together with those that did not have homes like orphans and old people from farm etc. They then applied for RDPs and that is how the Location or formal settlement was formed In total 2 groups of 32 each were trained. One trained in the Money Fo Sho and Money Modular Courses and another one in just only Money Fo Sho. The local and ward committee leadership who organized the people appreciated and welcomed the initiative. They connected us to two more wards outside their area to be trained. A community riddled with poverty and political instability is being positively impacted with money matters and new paradigm shift on how to handle their money affairs. The participants also expressed their gratitude and thanks.
Avocado Vision in partnership with Coronation we have managed to reach out different communities in the financial life skills training program. Participants show enthusiasm towards the program and interested to learn more, what I noticed that many South Africa's are stacked in their finances due to lack of financial managing skills. They have learned more about different models including tax, Insurance, money and believes, black tax, youth people and money, children and money, buying a big ticket of which most learners it was a new information. All participants engage fruitful in their groups and ask questions another youth said "I wish all this information could be implemented as a subject in schools so that as we grow up we will carefully manage money better and safety. The mistakes it will have been avoided if we were told before". Many learners share their views and enthusiasm towards the program. I could say this Session arrived in a right time to right people to manage their better and safety.
Making A Positive Mark In Bethanie North West Bethanie is a village near Brits in Madison, about 60km within the rustenburg mining belt. The area is mainly depended on farming and mining for its sustainability. The people however feel excluded from the economic gains and infrastructure investment. Making a mark is about having an important effect on something. Born Fire Ministries made a lasting effect by welcoming us and Coronation Money Modular Training. They offered their church space and resources to have 32 young people impacted for almost 3 full days. The church has never worked in community before and through this intervention they managed to recruit the youth in the community. Here are some of the Youth stories from the field. Gomolemo Musi Story I had a computer and printer and wanted to start a business in my parents house of which they refused but during the course especially after doing boosting my income and young people and money I had courage to Kickstart the idea and I see some changes in my life. Charity Baloi Story The course has boosted my self confidence. I am an existing self employed entrepreneur and get skilled with boosting my income and managing my money has changed my life and business outlook. I look forward to learning more as I practice this skills on a daily basis. More such stories are told in the field and practical gains and young people are moved to action and grow their financial base. More stories will be published later. I am looking forward to more young lives being positively affected. Since this training took place a church branch belonging to Born Fire Ministries in another North West Location has agreed to host us in the Month of May 2023. Thanks a million to all dedicated to making a mark that cannot be erased within communities of South Africa.
Making A Positive Mark Within Potchefstroom Making a Mark is about having a positive or important effect on something. At the beginning of this year I vowed to travel to Parts of North West Province I have not trained in before and one of those place is in Potchefstroom. Therefore when Avocado Vision announced in February with the start of Trainings my heart leaped. Immediately I tried connecting with the Potchefstroom community. This led to me traveling two full days looking for training opportunities. All the responses at that time were negative and all doors shut, until I met A dedicated councilor of Ward 1 in Potchefstroom who agreed to my proposal to come train in His Area. For almost 3 weeks nothing happened and I was getting frustrated until eventually the door opened. Councilor David and the Ikageng community welcomed us with the Sanlam Money Modular Program for 3 Days leading up to Easter. All the beneficiaries and participants were mainly unemployed out of school youth who were hopeless and negatively impacted by life. Modules such as youth and money, money and beliefs, boosting my income, budgeting, and savings and investments made a lasting positive impact to those in attendance. The community is looking forward to having Avocado Vision and its partners return on an entrepreneurial Development space. Thanks a million to all involved in changing young lives and making a mark that cannot be erased within South Africa.
Sanlam project- the training kickstarted on 24 March with so much energy and enthusiasm. The training took place in an area called Lusaka and Luzuko. On Money fo Sho all participants were actively involved. They enjoyed the training in so much that they wanted more of CFE trainings. They did testimonials that they did know the importance of making a budget and prioritizing needs vs wants. What I also noted was the fire that they had on Will and that was discussed abased on their experiences. On MM the savings and investing was outstanding for them, the saving methods and their interests. I have not faced any challenges in terms of the venue as well as the training in overall. Branding will be appropriate for these trainings. Pop-up banners as well as table cloths.
