Christmas 2010
The Bulembu wedding of the year took place on 17th April when Gcebile married Kenneth Mavimbela at the tiny village church just 5 minutes walk from Jacaranda. Gcebile had set her heart on wearing a beautiful dress donated earlier by a missionary’s daughter, Rachel. Unfortunately the size wasn’t quite right but after a local dressmaker had added a few straps across the back – perfect fit! Nontobeko, Fikelephi, Nosisa and Tandzile were chosen from Jacaranda to be bridesmaids, a fellow missionary volunteered to be the official photographer and Sr Carole had the privilege of giving away her ‘daughter’. No problem about what this mother of the bride should wear! Fr Wandile, the local Anglican priest, officiated.
The service and receptions celebrated both western and African cultures. The first reception in the Club House, kindly lent by BMS, for the Jacaranda family and 20 guests was typically English – Gcebile’s wish - while the second at Kenneth’s homestead nearby was in true Swazi style – a beast killed for the feast and everyone from the area welcomed. It was a wonderful family occasion and the dress is cleaned and waiting for the next bride!
Another highlight for the girls has been the introduction at school of Royal Rangers. It’s a Christian based scouting and discipleship programme where children can learn scouting and camping skills but are also provided with a safe environment within which they can tackle the tough issues that come with growing up. Six Jacaranda girls are junior leaders and Fikelephi and Rita are camp patrol leaders. A campsite, an hour’s walk from the village, has been set up and so far this year the girls have attended two camps. The first was not the best introduction to sleeping under canvas – it was bitterly cold – and the start of the second was delayed because of torrential rain, but they enjoyed both and for some it was a special stage on their spiritual journey.
Other changes at Bulembu Christian Academy include replacing the ACE curriculum with a combination of the Cambridge and Swazi national curricula. Concerns regarding the quality of the education offered and the focus on an individualized learning style, led to a review of ACE and other alternatives. The Cambridge curriculum ‘opens many more doors for the future, offers them the opportunity to obtain an exit certificate at several key points during their education and focuses on developing students’ analytical thinking, their long-term memory and their ability to think and write effectively.’ The school still maintains a strong Christian focus.
The number of children coming into the village increases monthly and a second school campus is being opened for the 2-6 year olds in January. Their uniform will be bright yellow t-shirts and denim trousers/shorts. High school pupils also get a new look in January as it is felt they need to smarten up - the tracksuit and shorts of the present uniform being considered too informal for older students.
Last term Sinead and Michelle gained the Best Student Award for their respective grades and Noxolo and Nomfundo the Most Improved Student Award. Rita won a medal for coming 3rd in a Siswati poetry competition organised by the Komati Basin Water Authority. The end-of-year exams are imminent and extra study periods are being held at the Sisters’ house. Caroline is back home after a year studying computers in Mbabane and will continue her education with a distance learning centre while Busi will spend the next 2 years studying in Manzini to be a preschool assistant. She has spent the last year doing work experience at a local crèche and at 18 is now old enough to do formal training.
Many of the changes are the result of the appointment of a Director of Education who is responsible for all stages of education from nursery to tertiary. In February a hospitality induction course is being introduced based at the new Conference and Vocational Training Centre, a former hostel which has been extensively renovated. This and future courses will be open to girls from Jacaranda when they finish school.
The former recreation centre for the miners is also being renovated and now houses the Bulembu Community Church which continues to worship each Sunday despite the building work. Rita and Bongekile are members of the regular worship group at the church and last week joined Nomvula and other teenagers to lead worship for the congregation. Sadly, Rita will be leaving Jacaranda in December to join her older sister in South Africa, who is now in a position to support and educate her.
But we were pleased this year to welcome Temakholo into Stella House, Nomfundo into Angus House and Michelle, Ngelozi and Khetsiwe from ABC Ministries into Joy House. ABC merged with BMS earlier this year and older girls came to Jacaranda. The older boys went to BMS homes in order to make room for more babies at ABC.
Other developments in Bulembu include the levelling of the mine dump tailings to create useable space and also the clearing of a large scrub area near the centre of the village for agricultural use.
Visitors are an important part of our family life. Samantha, an OHP Novice, spent 8 weeks with us as part of her training and quickly learned the ropes and became a valued member of Jacaranda. David Christie again spent time with us en route home from charity work in Tanzania, finalists in the Swazi Business Women of the Year organized a braai for us, and a number of local friends have given us practical support including the Anglican Women’s Fellowship and the International Church. We are grateful to have already received personalized Christmas parcels for the girls from South African OHP Tertiaries brought from Jo’burg by another visitor, Annemarie. The girls have already had a glimpse of gifts donated by members and friends of The International Community Church in London – but have no idea who will get what! A new Advent calendar made at the Creativity Centre here in Bulembu and Christmas tree decorations sent by Bourock Church, Scotland, keep alive the traditions of Christmas.
This brings our greetings for a joyful Christmas and our thanks for your support and thoughtfulness throughout the year. Siyabonga