Stories
One of the things that I have realized about these community trainings is that you can only train so many people within your community, you are then as a trainer left with the decision to spend a bit on your budget to reach other areas. With the Hollard training I decided to train in Coffee Bay (Mqanduli) in the Eastern Cape, this was because I have been working closely with the OR Tambo District and they had asked if we could have more trainings in their region. One of the things that stood out for me was that it was the first time that a Company had showed interest in their community to develop them and equip them with day to day skills that could enrich their lives by changing their relationship with finances. Coffee Bay although remote it is a beautiful costal area that is underdeveloped. The community here is used to people coming to them wanting to exploit their land. The news of the training started spreading like wild fire, we could have trained for more than a month if we were able without struggling for participants but because it is a tourist friendly place the accommodation is costly. In every village we went to we had a welcoming committee awaiting us and thanking both Avo Vision and Hollard for identifying them for such a training. The funny part is that in every training the chief or ward councilor would appoint someone who would ensure that people were participating in the training. When I left Coffee Bay I was reminded of one of the objectives that Jules always highlights that Avo exists to create footprints, the level of appreciation that was showed to both me and Sindiswa in this area surely we have left footprints. We used local people for catering and they were more than greatful for that little opportunity. It is unfortunate that we cannot reach all areas due to transport and accommodation costs, these trainings are truly a life line to so many people.
Sometimes we take for granted the opportunities that we have within our disposal whether its community opportunities or those provided by our families, this training was an eye opener in terms of how some areas in our communities are left to fend for themselves with little to no assistance from Local Government. Municipalities will at times build structures in an effort to alleviate poverty in a community but if those people are not given the skills to manage these opportunities, the structures are left untouched, this area was one of so many areas that are facing this predicament. The Youth of this area do not see anything beyond matric due to lack of information. The discussions during the training left me feeling both motivated and sad. I was motivated because through the Sanlam training I believe we unlocked some much needed food for thought for them, the participants were eager to understand how they could better utilize their current assets (vacant land and white elephant structures), those that want to further their studies were asking questions on NSFAS which is covered extensively in the Money Modular. I was sad because I could see how some of them have lost hope that they will ever have anything better than what they are faced with now. For the first time I realized that we are not just there for training, we are also there to give hope.
It was a very interesting week in a resort called Coffee Bay and Hole in the wall, on the Eastern Cape coast. Very beautiful Sea Views and yet very underdeveloped area. The establishments in the area mostly employs people from outside. There are no activities for the communities.Unemployment is a major crisis, Communities, Chieftaincies and the ward councillor highly appreciated the trainings and requested that we should come back with more trainings so that the youth can do their own projects and be able to earn a living.
The Community of Lindelani is a very disadvantaged community as it is also surrounded by farms. Main crisis is that, youth stay at home after Matric and there is nothing available to them either progressing to university or job opportunities. They highly appreciated the training as a result, we had a lengthy discussion after our session where we discussed how best they can group themselves and form businesses so that they generate income.
TSIBA ORGANIZATION AND RCS, The training was quite interesting because I was training business people, which don't have any ideas of saving and investing money, they learn a lot of ideas from Avocado vision and now they are going to start saving for their future.
Hollard Streetwise Financial Literacy was very much appreciated by CWP'S Employees and Supervisors who attended the workshops at Danielskuil. It was their first workshops they've attended and were so happy of the information we've brought them. They even asked for more workshops in the future as I've build a solid foundational relationship with their Management. Thank you Avocado Vision and Hollard Streetwise for impacting communities life positively.
Hollard Streetwise finance was held in two different places, Ashton and Villiersdorp, it was not easy to organize it but worth it. The two communities has gained a lot of experience through this training, some is not the first time of doing this training, they were so happy that it has come again. The challenge is the vanue, most of the vanues closed due to Covid, thank you Avocado and Hollard for bringing this training again. The new deligates wants to do this training again.
Hollard Streetwise finance was held in two different places, Ashton and Villiersdorp, it was not easy to organize it but worth it. The two communities has gained a lot of experience through this training, some is not the first time of doing this training, they were so happy that it has come again. The challenge is the vanue, most of the vanues closed due to Covid, thank you Avocado and Hollard for bringing this training again. The new deligates wants to do this training again.
