The 2020 Blog

A Forest and a Future

2011-05-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

By: Theresia Whitfield

Skumbuzo at the sawmill

Imagine growing up in a close-knit community only to watch your town virtually disappear. The few citizens that remain are suffering for lack of the basics but more than that; they turn to crime to compensate for the lack of jobs. Now imagine watching that same town completely revitalized with new opportunities for business, education, health and hope.

One of the ladies at the sawmill preparing logs to be sawed

Skumbuzo Dlamini has seen both of these scenarios come to life. He was born and raised in Bulembu amid the hay-day of what was a bustling town with a vibrant and active mine company providing for 10,000 residents. When the mine shut its doors in 2001, Skumbuzo watched as practically everyone he knew left to try to find a new life. But Skumbuzo and his family had nowhere to go. They stayed, watching Bulembu fall into disarray and become a ghost town.

Sawmill during the night shift

Today Skumbuzo is able to smile about life in Bulembu because it is a happy place once again. When Bulembu Ministries Swaziland arrived in 2006, Skumbuzo says he felt that God had answered his prayers. He began working in security, following in the footsteps of his father. (His mother and grandfather both worked in the mine.) Eventually, he ended up at Bulembu Sawmill, which has been operational since 2004.

Workers at sawmill

Neal Rijkenberg, who once owned the sawmill, turned it over to BMS in 2006 so that the Swazi people could run it exclusively for the benefit of the town and country. The primary function of the sawmill is to maintain profitability in order to financially assist the Child Care Program. According to Kurt Puttkammer, the Forestry Manager in Bulembu, duties range from manually loading the conveyors with round logs, operating basic machinery to packing the final product into bundles. Forklift drivers, a maintenance team and Bell loggers are also employed at the sawmill.

One of the Bell loaders loading a truck

“The sawmill offers timber for sale to the surrounding community at very cheap prices,” said Kurt.

Skumbuzo has also seen a lot of change at the sawmill since he began working there. What started as a small group of people, there are now more than 120 people who work at the sawmill, including 16 who are employed at the charcoal plant. The newest addition to the sawmill is a wood chipper that is used to chip waste coming from the mill and is then sold to the sugar mills in Swaziland. And Skumbuzo has also become the General Manager.

Skumbuzo showing worker how to work machinery

Skumbuzo and Kurt said that the sawmill is always looking for new markets and ideas that will make Bulembu Sawmill a more efficient operation. All Bulembu forests are forestry stewardship council certified, which allows for some export to Holland and Belgium. Those items being exported include the harder Eucalyptus species such as Paniculata and Cloeziana, which are rot resistant and often used in wet areas for walkways and outdoor furniture.

Worker sorting off-cuts

Skumbuzo, who is married and has two children, beams with joy when talking about what he feels is a tremendous future for his own family and that of his employees.

“Each morning before we begin work, we pray,” he said. “I tell them we need to respect our jobs. I tell them to work hard and as one team so that their children won’t have to suffer.”

Skumbuzo

Good News From BI

2011-05-23T00:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Bulembu,

By now we trust you have had a chance to read and process

the letter sent several days ago outlining the scaling back of

Bulembu International’s (BI) partnership with Bulembu

Ministries Swaziland (BMS). Many of you have taken time to

send words of encouragement and I want to thank you for

caring so deeply for our family, staff, directors, the Bulembu

community, and Swaziland.

The BI Board of Directors met last week and unanimously
expressed their unwavering commitment to the well-being and
future of the children in Bulembu. A scaled back Bulembu
International will continue to provide ongoing financial
support for the orphaned and vulnerable children being
cared for through Bulembu’s Child Care Program. In
addition, private funding has been secured to cover the
administration costs associated with operating BI to ensure that
100% of your donations will go directly towards caring for the
children in Bulembu.

BI continues to affirm the integrity with which BMS manages
our donations and the effectiveness with which the Bulembu
Child Care Program (child care, education, medical) is
operated. The children are well cared for and loved, they are
receiving an excellent education, and they are being given
hope and a future.

I would like to encourage you to follow the lead of BI's Board
of Directors and give generously to Bulembu's Child Care
Program. To make a donation, please visit Bulembu reStore
(www.bulemburestore.org). If you are currently a Child
Sponsor, monthly or annual donor, your donations will be
directed towards the care of the children as the team in
Bulembu seeks to raise up a new generation of Swazi leaders.
If you have any questions or wish to discontinue your pre-
authorized monthly donations, please contact Jan Quiring
(jan@bulembu.org or 778-288-7411).

What has been accomplished to date in Bulembu is truly
remarkable. On behalf of Bulembu International, thank you
for your commitment and support. We pray each of you will
continue to be a blessing to this community.

With much gratitude,

Volker Wagner
Executive Director

Bulembu International
www.bulembu.org

The Next Step

2011-05-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Life’s journey for Phephile Khumalo is taken one step at a time. But for this seven-year-old in the Bulembu childcare program, each physical step has been taken only with the aid of crutches. Phephile was a baby when a snake bit her. The bite caused permanent muscle damage, preventing her foot from developing normally. But Phephile is ready to take the next step, and it will come a little bit easier when she receives a prosthetic leg.

Dr. Detlef Brock, his wife, Angelica and Bulembu’s Registered General Nurse, Wiseman Sisamala work together to make a mold of Phephile’s leg so she can be fitted with a prosthetic leg.

Dr. Detlef Brock and his wife, Angelica, had visited various hospitals in Swaziland and while in the country, made a stop in Bulembu. During his visit, Dr. Brock, who specializes in pediatric surgery and sports medicine in Leipzig, Germany, was able to make a fiberglass cast of Phephile’s leg. This lightweight cast was then removed and taken back to Germany where he will create a prosthetic leg, fit specifically for Phephile.

Wiseman comforts a frightened Phephile while she’s being fitted with a mold that will be used to make a prosthetic leg.

Dr. Brock’s wife, Angelica, who is a physical therapist and Wiseman Sisamala worked with Phephile to keep her calm and comforted during the mold fitting. Wiseman, originally from Zimbabwe and a Registered General Nurse has been working in the Bulembu Clinic for one year, so he is quite familiar with Phephile and her struggles to walk. Angelica is an expert at helping children strengthen muscles that, for one reason or another, have not developed properly. Initially frightened, Phephile was unharmed during the fitting and happily accepted a tasty treat when it was over!

Phephile winces during the process of being fitted with a mold that will be used to make a prosthetic leg.

Phephile’s mold was created when Dr. Brock and Angelica paid a visit to Bulembu in mid-April. She’ll be fitted with her prosthetic leg in approximately one month. And when that day comes, Phephile will be able to walk and run with her friends. Her crutches will be a thing of the past, and the next step will be cause for celebration!

Wiseman shows Phephile the mold that will be taken back to Germany to prepare the prosthetic leg she’ll receive in May.

Angelica offers Phephile a tasty treat after the fitting process which will lead to a prosthetic leg.

A teary-eyed Phephile enjoys a tasty treat after the fitting process to make her new prosthetic leg.

Phephile smiles alongside Angelica and Dr. Detlef Brock.

Phephile Khumalo smiles knowing she will soon be able to walk without the aid of her crutches.

A Day in the Life – Hospitality Training Students

2011-04-26T00:29:00.000-07:00

First 2011 HTC class

The next time you’re roaming through the southeastern half of Africa, enjoying a lovely hotel room or a scrumptious meal, take a close look at those serving you. These are waitrons and hotel staff members who may very well have been trained at Bulembu’s Hospitality Training Center. The students, like Mbongiseni (Bones) and Gabsile, come to Bulembu to study every aspect of the hospitality industry so they can go out into Swaziland – and other countries – and find a prosperous and fulfilling career. What’s it like a day in the life of one of these students? Let’s find out!

Bones

The 19 students – 6 boys and 13 girls – live in a dorm-like house. They wake early and jockey for position in the bathroom for showers. In between morning prayers, a breakfast of cereal or toast and getting dressed, Bones checks on the others in the house to make sure everyone is ok. They all leave the house together at 8:45 and make their way to the training center for their 9 am class. School days typically last until 4:30 or 5:30, depending on what is scheduled for the students.

Gabsile

The students are divided into teams - green, black and red - and they each take turns preparing lunch and handling other duties in the house. The lessons they learn are even incorporated into their everyday lives. After classes, each student is responsible for his or her own meal. Bones says he likes to take walks and photograph the beautiful nature that surrounds Bulembu when he is not reviewing his school notes. Gabsile says they all often watch DVD’s in the evening because the TV isn’t connected to satellite. She explains that they have seen most of the movies numerous times, but it’s still a pleasurable time to be together.

After working in classroom settings and getting some hands-on experience at the Bulembu Country Lodge, the students are ready to move on to their practicum. Bones will be going to work in a hotel in Manzini while Gabsile will be stationed at Mountain Inn in Swaziland’s capital, Mbabane. But first, she will make a stop to see her mother and stepfather and meet her new sibling!

Students in class

Both Bones and Gabsile say they have learned so much through their classes, which don’t just revolve around setting tables and pouring drinks. They have classes in life application and education, including awareness about HIV/AIDS. Bones says he is naturally shy but these classes have helped him to try to overcome the shyness and break out of his shell, which he is looking forward to doing when he arrives in Manzini.

Students having breakfast

Gabsile said this has been the greatest experience of her life. “I’ve never been so happy,” she says. “I’m also learning a lot about myself, and making great friends.” Friends, she insists, she will miss when they go separate ways into a bright new world of opportunities. Perhaps one of those opportunities will include serving you and making sure your visit is made of wonderful memories.

Written by Theresia Whitfield

Photos by Gary Todoroff

Bulembu In Black & White

2011-04-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

A serene and comfortable gathering place for fellowship and food in a cottage at Bulembu Country Lodge.

Lighting the way to a bright future on the streets of Bulembu.

Welcome home. A relaxing setting at the Bulembu Country Lodge.

A teacher plays a game of soccer with students from the Bulembu Christian Academy.

Moving mountains: A bulldozer works to clear mine tailings in preparation for more growth in Bulembu.

Two trees stand above the rest; Eucalyptus forest in Bulembu.

Storms passing over the mountains surrounding Bulembu. The night sky shines brightly at the moment lightning strikes.

Teachers give special attention throughout the class day to ensure that children keep up with their class mates in the Cambridge curriculum.

All of the world's children know their place in line.

Photographer: Gary Todoroff

Captions: Theresia Whitfield

Edited: Bianca Puttkammer

“Welcome Home”

2011-04-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest and ongoing challenges for the social workers and staff in Bulembu is the transitioning of a child from a destitute and neglected life to one of care and hope. The first place every arriving child sees is the Welcome Centre where that transition begins to take place.

Vernon & social worker on their way to a homestead to fetch a child in need.

The children come literally from all over Swaziland and are initially referred to Swaziland Social Welfare either by hospitals, police, child protection, struggling family members or neighbors, community workers and pastors. After tracking and investigating family members who might be alive and, if no one is alive and/or willing to take the child, death certificates are obtained and affidavits are completed by Swaziland Social Welfare. Then the children are prepared for a new home and a new life.

Child at one of the homesteads checking out the situation.

Newcomers are provided a bath, food and sleep, precious comforts the rest of us take for granted but might be completely foreign to these little ones. At the start of a new day, they are examined at the medical clinic. Staff at the Bulembu Clinic check weight and height, look for bruises and sends them for x-rays if necessary, provides HIV testing, and conduct other necessary medical treatments before they receive new clothing, shoes, and an opportunity to do what kids do best: play!

Vernon speaking to one of the children who will be joining the Bulembu program.

Ruth Boys, the Homes Manager, is actively involved in this process along with the two social workers in Bulembu, both of whom are native Swazi’s. Ruth says that up to 70% of the children who come through the Welcome Centre have faced some type of abuse, regardless of their age. Tending to hurts and hearts is a main focus in caring for the newest and most vulnerable residents. And before the children are placed in a permanent orphan home with their new “siblings” and a dedicated and devoted “auntie”, the children’s every need is met for the first four to eight weeks of their stay at the Welcome Centre.

A great grandmother saying goodbye to children whom she is unable to look after anymore.

Since the middle of March, five more children have become part of the Bulembu family; five babies under the age of two and one five year old. In addition, two more orphan homes have opened in Dvudvusi, one for boys and one for girls. New stairs have also been installed between the homes in Dvudvusi in order to provide a safer walk for the children. Small strides in the long journey to providing the children in the program with the love and resources they need to thrive.

Children arrive at the Welcome Center.

For the newest additions, welcome home, for in Bulembu all of the children are indeed home.

By: Theresia Whitfield

Coffee, Tea or Turn Down Your Bed?

2011-04-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

A main priority in restoring and transforming Bulembu is to help its citizens and neighbors get on their feet and provide for themselves through education and jobs. This never-ending circle not only benefits the individual but the community and the entire nation of Swaziland through the economy as well as preparing for the next generation of leaders.

Two HTC students in class

Students from all across Swaziland know that they can find excellent training and internships in planning for their own careers at Bulembu’s Hospitality Training Center. The training focuses on the hospitality industry, which is already beginning to make a large impact on the economy as a whole. Students spend three months of in-class and practical training before going on to a three-month internship elsewhere, putting their lessons to use in the real world.

HTC students

Sibusiso Magagula, the Bulembu Country Lodge Manager, is at the front lines of the training program where he helps to provide hands-on training in guest room preparations such as turning down beds or making them, cleaning restrooms and stocking them, and making sure guest needs are met as well as dining room obligations as a waitron. Sibusiso has been the manager of the Lodge since 2010 but started as a waitron there in 2008. His role grew into a supervisory one before taking over as manager. He says he learned a lot in his hospitality training even before coming to Bulembu, but the on the job training he experienced as well as the guidance and support of his mentors helped him take the next step in his career. And that’s what he hopes to impart on his students.

Sibusiso

“At the end of every day,” he explained, “I ask myself, ‘What did I do wrong today, and what can I do to make it better tomorrow?’ I encourage the students to ask these same questions of themselves.”

Sibusiso knows that the hospitality industry provides tremendous opportunities for Swazi’s, and his mission is to make sure his students are prepared. But he’s teaching them so much more than how to brew coffee or how to set a table or where to place the mint on the bed at night. He’s teaching them about dress codes and how to have pride in your appearance. He reminds them to not be discouraged if they make a mistake and simply strive to make it better. Sometimes shy Swazi students are learning how to come out of their shell and interact with guests, which means, according to Sibusiso, that a clear understanding of what’s happening in Swaziland and the world is a vital part of everyday’s preparation process. And he’s helping them to catch the vision that they, too, can climb the ladder of success, just as he did.

HTC students in training at the lodge

“Reception training is the next natural step into management,” he said. “This part of the training teaches a lot of different things about managing a lodge, hotel or restaurant.”

Sibusiso knows that the extra work he puts into his trainees will ultimately benefit Bulembu by bringing it more attention, which will result in more trainees, and more guests who will be treated with the same, consistent wonderful service.

By: Theresia Whitfield

Volunteer Teams Making A Difference

2011-03-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

For over three years, volunteer teams have been an important part of the renovation and restoration of Bulembu. Whether a visit by one person at a time or as many as 300 people for the “Swazi 1000” two-week event, people find a temporary home here and often come back, sometimes even as permanent residents.

By far the biggest volunteer group has been the Swazi 1000, students mostly from South African universities who pay their way to work hard for the satisfaction of a solid night’s sleep camping out on the cricket field; that and the sense of accomplishment that their thousands of hours of labor brings in visible ways to the town. Their outreach mission has been especially significant in the renovation of 24 houses in the Dvudvusi neighborhood and the fencing and planting of pastures for the Bulembu Dairy. Also, outdoor signs and murals all around town are a reminder of the Swazi 1000 volunteers.

Swazi 1000 team

Two somewhat smaller teams have also made a recent impact on Bulembu. The G & J Parking team that is based in Edmonton, Canada is run by a Christian businessman James Dorsey who rewards employees after five years with the company by sending them on missions outreach. Bulembu was their destination this year, with almost twenty people showing up at the lodge in mid-March. Along with child-care and cooking assignments, the team used their construction skills to pour concrete for outdoor stairs and improvements around the Dvududsi Dining Hall. Clean walkways are a welcome change from muddy pathways from all the recent rains.

The other team, easily identified by their bright morning-glory colored t-shirt uniform, is made up of Canadian high school students from the Mennonite Educational Institute. Along with leaders Dave and Luella Neufeld. They have occupied two lodge houses on Hyde Park, and are a regular sight at meal times at the lodge, too. They have been hard at work renovating homes for children who will be coming into the program.

Whether practically taking over the town by the hundreds, or a group of just one or a dozen, volunteers have been a vital part of accomplishing the vision for Bulembu, helping with everything from daily needs to major construction that all contributes to the goal of a self-sustaining community.

By Gary Todoroff

G & J Parking Team

The MEI Team

G & J Parking at the dining hall

The new staircase

Lettuce Begin

2011-03-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hydroponics get's a fresh start in Bulembu...

Tucked away between buildings, the quaint greenhouse is a part of the grounds originally occupied by the General Manager of Havelock Mines. Now the house and carefully maintained landscape is home to the Bulembu Country Lodge.

American Hydroponics in Arcata, California donated the new agriculture system to Bulembu along with financial support from three organizations in Eureka, CA. These include Overseas Resource Link (Pastor Rolly and Cathy Anderson’s organization), Eureka Rotary Club, and Lost Coast Rotaract (Rotary for youth ages 20-30).

The Model 612 commercial hydroponics test unit is 6x12 feet in size, which translates to about two by four meters, a perfect fit for the greenhouse with adequate room to tend the plants from all four sides.

Colin LeRoux assembled the unit in the greenhouse, and then Colin Meyers and his crew wired the building for a work light and the electricity to run the pump that circulates nutrient rich water to the plants.

After the wiring job, the first seeds were planted March 16, 2011. They start as one seed per plug in a seed tray that simply needs to be kept moist for two weeks. Then small plants are transferred to the “nursery” channels with 72 small holes for another two weeks. As the plants grow, they are finally placed in “finishing” channels with the holes more widely spaced apart to accommodate the increased size. If all goes according to plan, 72 heads of lettuce should be ready for harvest in six weeks.

Nathi planted the first crop and is responsible to daily monitor moisture and nutrient levels. By keeping to a weekly cycle of planting seeds and transferring plants to different channels as they mature, 72 heads of lettuce should be ready for harvest every week. Maintaining the hydroponics unit involves a steady supply of water, fresh air and sunlight. The plants are nourished in the channels with a steady stream of water that is monitored twice per day to maintain a prescribed amount of nutrients along with the proper ph level (very slightly acidic) for maximum growth rate.

The model 612 hydroponics system is big enough to properly test and practice hydroponics for an eventual commercial operation. Even at this small size, the weekly harvest will provide a significant amount of fresh and wholesome vegetables for the diet of a growing population of Bulembu’s orphaned and abandoned children – one small step towards the goal of a self-sufficient ministry by the year 2020.

By Gary Todoroff

Homestead Full Of Grace

2011-03-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Shopping for chicken in Ncenceni

Skirting the mountainous mine tailings on the south side of Bulembu, down the valley where the stream flows through the new Royal Rangers camp, and up into the hills again, a boy and his donkey were the only traffic on the five kilometer red dirt road to the community of Ncenceni .

Andrew and Jamie walked the last quarter mile towards banana trees and our farming homestead destination, part of the several small farms of the rural community.

Grace wears the blue dress of mourning for the loss of her husband last September. She runs the farm by herself now and warmly greeted Andrew and Jamie.

Like farmers everywhere, Grace was delighted to describe her crops, including the grape arbor here that produced a good harvest. Some of the grapes were sold to the Bulembu Country Lodge.

A few hundred chickens keep Grace busy, with two of them she had just dressed and prepared for Jamie for the evening braai (barbeque) back home in Bulembu. Can’t get much fresher!

Farms are often a mix of the old and new – no exception here as microwave and satellite antennas keep touch with the rest of the world and the all-important markets for farm produce.

The approximately one million population of Swaziland is mostly rural; Grace showed us a glimpse of the hard work it takes to run a successful farm in Ncenceni, along with the kind of hospitality that adds flavor to any meal from her harvest.

Photographs and text by Gary Todoroff

Brian Stuckert and the Mine Rehab

2011-03-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Brian Stuckert is the President of the Remediation Division of Quantum Murray, a Canadian Industrial Decommissioning company who is providing services for the Bulembu mine rehabilitation project. . While he was visiting Bulembu with his family in January, I was able to ask him a few questions:

What is your task in Bulembu?

In 2008, I became involved with a plan to rehabilitate the tailings area on the mine site. I came to Bulembu for the first time in October 2008 and since then we have developed the plan. One of our General Superintendents, Ron Bosel, has been here a couple times to do some surveying and layout work with Colin Cotterrell and the operator to begin the mine reclamation process, which started in October 2010.

How did you hear about Bulembu?

I heard about Bulembu through Marc Dumerton, a board member of Bulembu International. We are in the same business group and he did a presentation on Bulembu about two years after he got involved with the start-up of Bulembu. I run a contracting business that reclaims old mine and industrial sites, so it was a really good fit for us to get involved. It felt natural to get involved.

What are you planning to plant on the mine dump?

The plan originally was to reshape the tailings area to be physically stable in the long term , cover the tailings with native soils and to vegetate the area with a species for grazing so that it doesn’t erode and provides for beneficial land use. Now a portion of the tailings area will be flattened and used for greenhouses, which will provide further long term benefits to the Bulembu community.

How is it going so far?

So far it’s going really well, but a little slower than we might do a project in North America. There are limitations, but we are progressing while working within those limitations.

How long will it take to complete?

It’s probably going to be between 12 -18 months, depending on the weather. If more equipment is put on site it will go faster. At the moment, we have one bulldozer and a couple of other pieces of equipment that are being mobilized.

When are you coming out to Bulembu again?

Our senior superintendant, Ron Bozel, will probably be out in April. I will probably come a few months after that to review progress and modify plans as required.

Has your trip been fun so far?

This trip has been a lot of fun. My wife and daughter have joined me for the first time. I have four children, 3 boys who are 29, 29 and 24, and my daughter, the youngest at 18. This trip is a little more like a vacation, not like the previous trips. Three years ago we went to Tanzania to work in orphanages and it is great to travel to Africa again as a family.

The Pre-Primary School – An interview with Candice

2011-02-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

Candice le Roux - Pricipal of Buelmbu Christian Pre-Primary

Candice le Roux is the new principal of the Bulembu Christian Pre-Primary School. She has been actively involved in getting the new building ready for the pre-schoolers and will be playing a large role in implementing a curriculum that lays a firm and stable foundation in the children’s lives.

· How many students and teachers at BCPPS?

We have nine teachers employed. There are a few applicants that still need to be processed but at the moment the amount of children attending the school is 78.

· What ages are the students at the new school?

The youngest children would have just turned two and then the oldest in the pre-school class is five to six years old. One of the girls is 10 but she is physically really small and mentally younger so she is fitting in fine.

· Why is there a need to expand?

At the previous campus we only had three classrooms dedicated to the pre-primary and then when we brought the two and three year old classes under the school umbrella, there was not enough room for the children, so it’s just a case of numbers expanding and needing space.

· How will you work in partnership with the teachers and principal at BCPPS

M My focus is not only on the children’s education but also developing the teachers as professionals. It’s very important to me that they offer a standard of teaching that can fully benefit the children in all aspects. I don’t believe in giving half measures. I need to be very aware of where the teacher’s shortfalls/weaknesses are so that I can strengthen them in those areas and encourage them to improve themselves and try and keep a level of enthusiasm so that they never look at their role in the school as a job but as a calling.

· You have a fantastic building. Do have great equipment at your disposal? There are so many areas where we have room for growth. We have very limited resources and we need more to be able to teach better and for the kids to learn more. We have a lovely building, it wasn’t so lovely in the beginning but the guys have worked hard. I would really like to thank everyone in Bulembu who has worked so hard to get the building ready for us. There is still a lot more that can be done but we have made the most of what we have and there is a lot we would like to do.

· Do the kids have a uniform?

Yes they do. They will be equipped with a uniform that includes a beautiful bright canary yellow T-shirt and long jeans that is made from a light-weight denim so it’s suitable for Winter and Summer.

· What extracurricular activities can the kids get involved in?

Our pre-school class will do what we call ECA class (extra curricula actives) and that is a 40 min period at the end of every day Monday to Thursday where they do an activity like sports, art and music.

· I heard you have a sensory garden for the kids? What is a sensory garden and how will it be used?

A sensory garden is a garden in which children can walk through and have all their senses stimulated at the same time. We have planned it in a way that they will be able to enjoy a variety of visual, touch and taste aspects. Whether it’s from leaf size, shape, colour, watching all the insects coming in and feeding, to feeling the woodchips and stepping stones, to tasting strawberries, apples and wild plums. When it’s ready it’s going to be great

· Are you going to have computer classes? (heard that they will probably introduce them to IT at that age) What skills do you hope they will learn?

We will have computer classes that will be 35min periods. We have a few laptops that we will be using for the kids. We will be teaching basic functions such as mouse usage, coordination of the mouse and what’s on the screen and naming the computer.

· What is your goal for these students? What are your expectations for each of them?

We want the best for them ‘Jeremiah 29:11’ and we want to be as much a part of that as possible. It’s not just about education, it’s not just about intellect but our focus is also on helping them overcome things in their lives and also to grow emotionally, socially and spiritually and to be the children God intended them to be.

· What are your goals for your teachers? What are your expectations for them?

I want them to be the best teachers they can be. I want them to develop an internal motivation to not see this as a job, but to see it as a calling and a passion. A passion for the children, to love them and to care for them, to truly care for them. To provide the best way to educate them and to always be open minded to new ideas, to always be open minded to growing and also for them personally.

· Where will the children go on class outings?

Fortunately in Bulembu we have a lot of different interesting aspects and spots we can take the children to. If we want to teach them something about medicine/doctors/clinics, we have the clinic here. Anything to do with where milk come from, we have the dairy, we have honey, the water bottling plant. There is just so many things we can teach them right here in Bulembu.

· Who drew the murals on the walls?

The Noah’s ark mural was done by a group from Court Moore form the U.K. and the Swazi 1000 not only helped in the gardens, but did a lot of prep work on the walls, doors and windows so that our teams could come in and do what they needed to do.

Inside one of the new classrooms

The children's first day at school

Solar Power In Progress

2011-01-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

The installation of solar panels around Bulembu is a key component of the community’s Strategic Energy Plan that was developed in response to the growing energy shortages and price increases. Swaziland imports 60% of it’s energy from South Africa, a country that has been experiencing power outages at an increasing rate as the aging infrastructure struggles to keep up with demand. This has resulted in regular power outages in Bulembu, decreasing efficiency at the sawmill, bakery, water plant and other enterprises as workers stand idle waiting for the power to come back on. South Africa energy provider Eskom will be increasing their rates by 35% through 2011, and again in 2012.

In August, Bulembu submitted a proposal for solar panels to the Finish Government’s Energy and Environment Partnership facilitated by the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) for 100,000 Euros. This week, the application was approved!

Over the coming months, the team in Bulembu will begin to install nearly 200 PV photovoltaic solar panels around the community. Solar energy is essential to Bulembu’s overall energy strategy as it supplements and diversifies the foundational energy-producing unit, allowing a back-up strategy to ensure power continues to core services (clinic, school, etc.) during power failures. Appropriate diversification will also lead to overall cost savings for the community and will reduce traditional energy consumption, another step towards Bulembu’s vision to emerge as a self-sustaining community by 2020.

Bosch solar panels that will be used for the project.

Bulembu's Top Ten Highlights from 2010

2011-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

Looking back at 2010 there are so many advancements and successes. We've worked to narrow them down to give you some perspective on what has been accomplished in Bulembu over the last 12 months. Here are the Top 10 Highlights from 2010.

10. Completed the infrastructure (sewerage, electrical, water) upgrading.

9. Started repaving 5km of roads.

8. Clinic increased the number of free HIV tests offered to the community.

7. New Child Care Homes built.

6. Sales at the Bulembu Store in Piggs Peak were at an all time high in November.

5. Voices for Bulembu campaign raises over $1.4 million and goes international with a concert in Pretoria, RSA.

4. The rehabilitation of the mine dump begins.

3. Royal Rangers program launched as an after school program.

2. Broke ground on the Bulembu Hospitality and Training Centre.

1. Bulembu Dairy became profit centre and is identified as a leading growth enterprise for Bulembu.

Solomon Mamba - a 2010 Christmas Interview

2011-01-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

Meet Solomon Mamba, the last in our 2010 Christmas Interview series. Solomon is the Bulembu Stores Manager. Stores is the central distribution hub for goods purchased for Bulembu. He has been the stores manager for six months and has been tasked with making stores more efficient.

How are you going to be celebrating an African Christmas?

I usually celebrate Christmas with my family, but they are going away on holiday so this year I’ll be here in Bulembu. They are coming back after Christmas and then we will be going to Nelspruit, South Africa.

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

It’s family time. Everyone in the family meets and then we go to church. It’s different when everybody is here, it feels different.

What is your favorite Christmas Carol?

Joy to the World.

Have you experienced a white Christmas before?

Not at all.

What do you think it is like?

It would be boring, compared to what we normally have here.

What was a highlight for you in 2010?

For me personally it was being transferred from the forestry department to stores.

What are you looking forward to next year?

Improving the stores department.

What has been the biggest change in Bulembu in the last year?

The biggest change was the construction of the Hospitality Training Centre and the opening of the Bakery.

What is the biggest challenge you face in the year ahead?

To improve the communication in the departments, that is the biggest challenge. If the communication isn’t happening within the different departments then it makes our job here at stores a difficult one. You need open channels of communications.

What is best about living in Bulembu?

You don’t have to climb into a local taxi or a bus to get to work, you walk to work which is not a long distance.

What do you wish for Christmas for yourself?

A peaceful one.

What do you wish for Christmas for Bulembu?

For peace. I don’t want anyone getting sick or being in an accident.

Vernon Puttkammer - a 2010 Christmas Interview

2011-01-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Vernon Puttkammer is Bulembu’s Director of Child Care. He deals with the various government departments relating to orphan care and oversees all departments within Bulembu that contribute to the child care program. He and his family have been on Bulembu since 2007.

How are you going to celebrate an African Christmas?

Under a foreign introduced pine tree form Europe, with European decorations, candles, lots of German cakes and biscuits and this is all celebrated with family. We celebrate Christmas on the 24^th of December and then on the 25^th we go to church and afterwards have a big Christmas meal with roast beef, roast chicken , potatoes, vegetables. Very German / African food.

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

I enjoy all the family that is together, the celebration of the birth of Christ and the hope that we get through Him. It’s just a very nice time of the year where people are more tolerant of each other, more considerate and a lot less self focused.

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Silent Night.

Have you experienced a white Christmas before?

No, I have never experienced a white Christmas.

What do you think it’s like?

I think it’s cold and cozy.

What was a highlight for you in 2010?

Definitely the kids!!! The overall progress in the children who have been in the care program for a couple of years and how they have grown and changed has been a huge highlight. Some of the children who came into the program were very sick, literally on their death beds and now to see how they have grown in school and how they have adapted to a new life – it is amazing.

What are you looking forward to next year?

Saving more lives through the transformation offered in Bulembu.

What has been the biggest change in Bulembu in the last year?

The growth of the number of kids that have come in and also the people that live and work in Bulembu. Just to have seen the program grow and the awareness around the world about Bulembu.

What is the biggest challenge you face in the next year?

The biggest challenge is finding a way to identify the kids with the biggest need to come into the program.

What is the best about living in Bulembu?

It’s peaceful.

What do you wish for Christmas for yourself?

Snow!

What do you wish for Christmas for Bulembu?

I wish that the hope that comes with the birth of Christ is received by the people.

Sibusiso Magagula - a 2010 Christmas Interview

2010-12-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Sibusiso Magagula is the Bulembu Country Lodge Manager. We asked him a few questions about Christmas and what his goals are for 2011:

How are you going to be celebrating an African Christmas?

I’ll be working this Christmas, because we have a few guests at the Lodge.

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

The most exciting thing about Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ and getting together with my family. It is very important for me to spend time with my family.

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol?

Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Have you experienced a white Christmas before?

No.

What do you think it is like?

I think Christmas is more exciting in countries where they have snow.

What was a highlight for you in 2010?

I was more involved with running the Lodge this year. Last year I had Mr. Vernon and Mr. Andrew’s input, but this year it has been a big challenge for me because I have had to oversee everything. If I have to make crucial decisions, I have to make sure the Lodge is up to standard. We have to keep on pushing for a higher standard. I think this year I have learned a lot and I have achieved many of my own personal goals. When big groups come in, we need to be prepared. I need to sit down a month before and plan for the groups so that we can be ready. The biggest challenge for me this year was the bicycle race in October. There were 220 people in town and we had to organize beds, bedding, plates, glasses and cutlery. It was hard work, but we achieved it. We were ready for them a week before the time. We were able to learn from our past mistakes.

What are you looking forward to next year?

I am looking forward to the opening of our Hospitality Training Centre and our conference centre. I am looking forward to working with Rose Woller who will be assisting with the Lodge. Next year, my biggest dream is to see the Lodge moving forward, improving service and operating at a higher standard.

What has been the biggest change in Bulembu in the last year?

I think it’s continuously changing. Previously in management I was reporting back to Mr. Andrew, but now we have the directors of different departments which lightens Mr. Andrew’s load. Now I am dealing with Mr. Collin le Roux on a daily basis so that is a step forward for Bulembu. The Hospitality Training Centre is also another big change that is happening in Bulembu.

What is the biggest challenge you face in the year ahead?

The biggest challenge in 2011 is to improve the Lodge, coming up with new ideas and more specifically coming up with new kitchen menus. I am trying to introduce new meals. I am going to try and transform my staff at the lodge through service improvement, to have the staff all on the same page and for them to know exactly what’s going on, what events are coming up and what teams will be visiting the lodge. Maybe there is even a chance for the staff at the Lodge to be put through the vocational training course. To me that would be another step forward.

What’s best about living in Bulembu?

It’s a quiet place. It’s less expensive than other towns. There are no shops for you to spend your money unwisely.

What do you wish for Christmas for yourself?

I wish for a good life for my family and myself and for everybody who lives in town.

What do you wish for Christmas for Bulembu?

I wish that God would give the people of Bulembu strength. They have been working hard for the last 12 months and I hope that they all come back next year. I also wish them a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Sam Ritcher - a 2010 Christmas Interview

2010-12-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

Leading up to Christmas, we thought we'd pull together a series of interviews featuring some faces from the community as they talk about the year past, the year ahead and Christmas. Enjoy.

Sam Richter arrived in Buelembu with his parents in 2005 and has been here eversince. He is 18 years old and attends the Bulembu Christian Academy. I asked Sam how he was going to be celebrating Christmas and what goals he has for 2011.

How are you going to celebrate and African Christmas?

We usually go out of town and spend time with friends and family. This year we will be doing the same and spending time with my brother and sister in the Manzini area.

What do you enjoy most about Christmas?

For me it’s the time where friends and family actually get together and have a good time. Birthdays come and go and not many people show up, but on Christmas, everyone is there. Even people who you wouldn’t expect, show up.

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol?

Yes, ‘O Holy Night’

Have you experienced a white Christmas before? What do you think it is like?

No. A friend told me that once he had a Christmas where there was sleet and it was one of the coldest nights ever. You could see small snowflakes falling, that’s how cold it got. I haven’t seen snow yet, only in the movies. But I would love to see snow! Here in Bulembu you have lots of hills to slide down so if it did snow, it would be loads of fun! I think a white Christmas for some of the kids, would be a dream come true. For me in particular it would be a dream come true!

What was a highlight for you in 2010?

The first Royal Rangers camp and then coming back and being so on fire for God and filled with the Holy Spirit.

What are you looking forward to next year?

The basic things. Succeeding in school work. Even the smallest of things like doing your chores and waking up in time for school. I also feel that God has something big planned ahead for the year.

What has been the biggest change in Bulembu in the last year?

There were two major changes. The changing of the school syllabus from ACE to Cambridge which meant that I had to take new tests and was placed in a different grade. Now, that means I have 4 more years of school before I graduate. I am still excited though!

What is your biggest challenge you face in Bulembu in the year ahead?

It’s got to be school! Math is my big challenge!

What’s best about living in Bulembu?

Well, it’s quietish. Unlike Big Bend where it was constantly noisy with traffic and loud city noises.

On my way here I thought nothing could live up here in the mountains. How they managed to put all of this together is something else!

What do you wish for Christmas for yourself..?

Ahhh….hmmm…..a cell phone.

What do you wish for Christmas for Bulemu?

To see this place expand nationally and internationally.

Swazi 1000

2010-12-10T23:55:00.000-08:00

Bulembu is unique in many ways from its avid commitment to sustainability by 2020 to its holistic community development approach. But, one of the most compelling characteristics is the scope of the work. Three years ago a group of charismatic individuals caught the vision and dreamed of bringing 1000 students to Bulembu to volunteer and engage with the community in work projects and various ministry outreaches. This birthed what has become known as the Swazi1000.

In December 2008, 350 volunteers joined in on the first Swazi 1000 mission to Bulembu. Besides painting 12 community buildings, renovating 2 orphan homes, and painting 420 houses, these young people were challenged to live in radical devotion to their faith in God. The outpouring of their experience was far greater than expected as they returned to their own communities and set up outreaches, prayer groups and community development projects.

In 2009, 220 volunteers packed their tents and work gloves once again traveled to Bulembu for the second Swazi1000. This time they erected a 1.6km dairy fence, renovated the outer shell of nearly 12 orphan homes, painted murals, logos and even toenails of women in the community.

This year, the Swazi1000 returned on November 28^th with over 150 students. Although this was by far the wettest Swazi 1000, that certainly has not stopped the team from heading out every morning to get the work done.

The energy around camp is one of excitement as volunteers divide into work groups and are briefed for the day’s work ahead. There are eleven teams on a rotation system, where the volunteers will have the opportunity in the course of the next two weeks to serve on kitchen duty, cleaning duty, bush clearing, painting, renovating orphan homes, as well as various ministry projects. Four fixed teams work solely on murals, fencing, renovating the school playground and caring for the new intake of orphaned babies in Bulembu.

During the first week, the rain was pouring so hard, it made work nearly impossible. The Swazi1000 leaders gave the volunteers the choice to come back to camp and get out of the rain. However, the majority of volunteers chose to remain working in the rain and mud. Those at the orphan homes decided to dig trenches around a few of the houses in order to prevent them from flooding. The perseverance and servant hood of the Swazi1000 team is one which continues to amaze the Bulembu community.

This year on Swazi1000 there were two small teams on a Mission Outreach Team Exposure (MOTE Level 2) experience. For this experience, the small teams spent the two weeks actually living in the villages outside of Bulembu, working, eating and serving with the local people and developing relationships with them as they built a community church and cow kraal.

The work that has been completed over the last 3 years by 728 Swazi1000 volunteers has uplifted the community and shown how important volunteers and teams are to the continual development of Bulembu. Next year Bulembu is looking to host over 400 Swazi1000 volunteers and if one thing is certain, there will be no shortage of work projects.

The Swazi 1000 team

Team ready to go paint the town red!

Students clearing weeds around houses

Building playground for children

Team works together to move jungle-gym

World Aids Day

2010-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

It’s the 1^st of December and it’s World Aids Day. World Aids Day is all about raising awareness to stop the spread of HIV /AIDS and working together to do this. Stephen Lewis, a former United Nations' special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa who has seen the bigger picture of what HIV/Aids is doing to people and nations and has been persistent in trying to stop this devastating disease. In Stephen Lewis’ World Aids Day Message last year, he stated “prevention is not yet working. For every two people whom we put on anti-retroviral treatment so that they might live, there are five new infections. Prevention remains an elusive goal in the high-prevalence countries.” It is becomingly more widely known that Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. Therefore it is a central focus to many of the projects and strategies in Bulembu. To give more information on what Bulembu is specifically doing to help fight against HIV/AIDS, we interviewed Niel Geldenhuys, manager of the Bulembu Clinic.

How many medical staff work at the clinic?

“Wiseman a nurse, and myself, Margret who is a Midwife and Vera who is funded by ICAP (Aids Care and Treatment Programs) from Columbia University but works for us.”

How is Bulembu clinic dealing with HIV AIDS problem in Swaziland on a day-to-day basis?

“ Bulembu Clinic offers volunteer counseling and testing for any and every patient in the community at no cost. If they want to come to the clinic for an HIV test then they don’t pay anything for it. What happens when patients tell us they want an HIV test done, we open a file for them and there is a woman here that specifically works with HIV/AIDSpatients. She is called an expert client which means her HIV status is positive and she is on anti-retrovirals herself. She gets paid to speak to people about her HIV status, how the drugs are affecting her, how she is getting better and that it actually works. That is her job, so any of us, either the nurses can do the testing or counseling, but she is here full time to council and she is effective because she can relate to the patients.”

How do you test for HIV/AIDS and how do you deal with AIDS patients?

“The Aids test is a finger prick test. We use two different rapid tests just to make sure that the results are accurate. If both rapid tests are positive then we tell the patient their status. We do pre-test counseling and post-test counseling, explain to them what it means and what the road forward looks like from here. From then onwards whoever does the test would bring the patient to me and I will do a general examination of the patient and clinically stage the patient, see how sick the patient is, determine what stage of the disease the patient is at, then we also take bloods from them and run tests on them e.g. test their liver, test their kidneys, check their CD4 count. “

“We then follow them up and so it’s patient dependent. If I have a patient with a CD4 count of 1000, I tell them to come back in three to six months, set a date for them and test them again and see if their CD4 count is lowering or if they need any other medicine to keep them healthy. Once we make a decision that a patient needs anti-retroviral therapy they go to Piggs Peak Hospital for the first initiation day of therapy then they will initiate them there and start them off on medicine and every time from then on a monthly basis the patience come to Bulembu. We do a full medical workup on them, check that they are taking their tablets properly, actually count their tablets make sure that they are taking the tablets at the correct time that they don’t build up resistance, draw bloods here and monitor their CD4 counts and if we need to, their viral loads. That is all for free of charge.”

Who is subsidizing all the HIV/AIDS tests and anti-retroviral medication?

“Everything is run by the Swazi government. Apart from that everything else is private at the clinic. Most of the patients however that we do test come in with another opportunistic infection. In other words they have some infection that they are prone to have because they have HIV/AIDS. While dealing with that we usually suggest to them that they need to have an HIV test and we council them through it.They would still pay the $1.50 for the consultation of the other problem but all the HIV is free of charge. Donors from Canada and around the world fund the Clinic general operations, indirectly by supporting Bulembu.”

What do you think can reduce the HIV rate in Swaziland?

“I believe that an effective way of tackling AIDS in Bulembu, instead of having mass campaigns like they have been doing, putting posters up and handling out pamphlets is to speak to people one-on-one. So every patient that comes through here gets offered an HIV test. If they don’t want to do it, they don’t have to do it but to me it’s made a big difference. When I started off here, we did about 12 to 15 HIV tests a month and at the moment we test roughly 60 to 80 patients a month. We are encouraging them on a one-on-one basis to take the test. If they want an HIV test done, they will ask the nurse and have an HIV test done but more often than not, if you don’t ask a patient and say: listen I really think you should have an HIV AIDS test done. Nine out often would be too scared to have it and not do it. We also council the patient on prevention of HIV and family planning.”

“Females are usually more willing to test than what men are. Men are usually a bit more stubborn when testing. A lot of the times we will have the women coming and we would suggest that they bring their boyfriend or husband when they comet o the clinic and the guys don’t want to test. We probably have more women on anti-retroviral medication than men.”

The Bulembu Clinic sees a large number of patients every day and administers medical care and medication to the community and the greater population of Swaziland. Niel and his staff are filled with hope and expectation to help many more lives in the years to come as the clinic’s capacity to treat more people is increasing and meeting an ever growing need. “Of course we can turn the tide on AIDS in Africa. It just takes your help, sprinkled with a touch of imagination and love.” – Stephen Lewis

Full of Beans

2010-11-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Bulembu lodge cappuccino

The fresh smell of peculated coffee is an inviting smell that greets you when you are in close proximity to Bulembu Lodge. If you ever come to visit Bulembu, you will be able to have the best cup of coffee in Swaziland!

I visited the Lodge to see how they have mastered the art of making coffee, and I must say I was impressed. Sibosiso, the Lodge manager, stood confidently behind the coffee machine, while he explained to me how to make a cappuccino and how the coffee machine works.

The coffee machine was purchased in February 2009 and from then on, was visited by all who live in Bulembu. A barista from the UK came out to Bulembu to teach the Lodge staff how to use the coffee machine and make good coffee.

We use a three coffee bean blend from Avanti Café, which we buy from Elite Food Suppliers in Mbabane. The beans are poured into a blender-looking container and the beans are ground to a specific texture. The ground coffee powder is poured into a small black cup and the powder is then tapped - tapped meaning compressed. As the hot water seeps through the ground coffee powder, the brewing process occurs, which amplifies the coffee aroma. The texture of the ground coffee, and how the coffee powder is tapped, affects the taste of the coffee. It is, therefore, really important to find the perfect balance between the two, in order to make the best well-brewed coffee.

Four years ago the Bulembu Country Lodge offered only a few different meals and standard coffee and tea. But as progress is constantly being made through service and product improvement, more people are noticing and enjoying all the Lodge has to offer. Although a cup of coffee seems like a small change, if you were to pick one up on your way to work, you would agree, it is a great step forward.

Brewed coffee pouring into mugs

Bulembu lodge cappuccino

Dairy Expansion

2010-11-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

Expanding the Bulembu Dairy pastures are the order of the day. Over the last year, the dairy has really shown tremendous success. It has proven to be a sustainable and successful business, which is exactly the culture that Bulembu is trying to cultivate. Due to the growing herd of jersey cows and the future prediction of another further 100 over the next few months, the Bulembu Dairy is increasing its pastures. An area of grassland has been cleared in the village and is currently being prepared for planting, which is scheduled to proceed in the next four weeks. Two grass types are going to be planted, Rye and Kikuyu grass, which will produce luscious fields for the new herd. Both grass types grow well in the Bulembu’s type of climate and will provide the cattle with part of the nutrition that they require. By expanding the herds and pastures, Bulembu Dairy will significantly increase its profit, adding needed funds to the community for future growth.

Mine Tailings Rehabilitation BEGINS!

2010-11-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

Upon acquiring the Bulembu property in 2006, Bulembu Ministries Swaziland (BMS) conducted a series of tests in order to assess the liveability of the property. It was important to understand exactly what the charity was getting into after the decades of neglect under the management of the mining company that had operated the town for 60 years. All tests indicated that any risk of exposure to the chrysotile that was mined on the property over the previous decades was negligible. Still, BMS has been mindful to take the necessary steps to appropriately rehabilitate the property and create safeguards for all of the residents of the town.

One of the most important stages in our rehabilitation plan began last month with the $1.2 million rehabilitation of the old mine tailings dump. This project has been made possible with support from funders and experts in Canada and South Africa.

The current timeline calls for all of the required activities necessary to rehabilitate the mine tailings to be completed in 14 months. During this time BMS will be monitoring closely the water, soil and air quality, ensuring that the rehabilitation of the tailings has no ill effects on the community. Bulembu is home to over 2,000 enterprise employees, community care workers, children and Bulembu administrators and leadership all of who live, work and play in town. We are always mindful of this reality when making decision about our community.

Follow along over the next 14 months as we regularly post mine rehab updates on the blog.

The first step in the rehabilitation process: re-sloping.

The Royal Rangers

2010-11-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

Royal Ranger leaders

It was an exciting week for the Bulembu children as they went “Royal Ranging” at a new campsite established for the program. The camp has been established in a stunning part of a forest near a steady flowing stream.

Royal Rangers is a Christian-based scouting and discipleship program. It has been introduced to the kids as an extra-mural of Bulembu Christian Academy. Children are embracing the program as they learn scouting, camping and leadership skills. Royal Ranger also provides them with a safe environment to tackle the tough issues that come with growing up.

The national leaders of the Royal Rangers program in South Africa are Gerhard and Tammy Uys. They have been involved in training up leaders and running camps all over South Africa. They have been instrumental in establishing the program in Bulembu.

This fall the children in the program were assigned to a team of eight fellow Rangers. There were approximately 12 teams this time around. Each team was tasked with establishing their own team camping area. They were trained to build their own shelter, fire table and picnic table as they had to cook their own meals. Other activities included first aid classes, learning how to tie knots, making different fires, learning how to use a compass and identifying certain trees and indigenous plant life.

They also had a wonderful time singing songs around the campfire at night. The highlight for the children was the spiritual fire evening where the Royal Ranger leaders performed a skit. This year the highlight was a huge heart that was lit to show God’s love for the children. The evening ended with an intense time of prayer and ministry. God touched the lives of many!

I asked Gerhard if he sees potential for Royal Rangers and he said: “Yes, big time. I have seen the kids the way they are. They are naughty but very lovable. Many of the kids are really bright and need a chance to reach their full potential; and this program gives them the opportunity to do so..

Royal Rangers is just one avenue to teach leadership skills. It is giving the kids in the Child Care Program an opportunity to grow individually and as a part of a team. We look forward to next year’s camps!

Gerhard & Tammy

One of the campsites

A fire table

Gerhard & kids having fun

CIDA and vocational training

2010-10-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

If you attended an event at this year’s “Voices for Bulembu”, or if you have read the 2010 Yearbook cover to cover, then you’ve likely already heard the good news. But it’s certainly worth sharing with everyone.

In 2009, Bulembu International applied to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for a $500,000 grant to build the Bulembu Vocational Training and Conference Centre (VTCC). In April 2010, CIDA approved the project and construction began on the facility that will become the VTCC.

The Vocational Training Centre will focus its curriculum on the training of tourism professionals. Although tourism is the third largest industry in Swaziland, the system for educating and developing tourism professionals in Swaziland has capacity to train only 25 students every 3 years and is vastly underdeveloped. Bulembu has seized the opportunity to be a leader in tourism training, producing outstanding tourism professionals to serve in Bulembu, as well as greater Swaziland. Intake of the Training Centre’s first students is scheduled for February 2011. The Vocational Training Centre is also the first step to providing valuable post-secondary educational opportunities to the young men and women transitioning out of the Bulembu Child Care Program. Training for a successful career is central to Bulembu’s education planning and vision of growing a generation of Swazi leaders.

The Conference Centre will work in concert with the Vocational Training Centre, providing hands on experiential learning for the students in the program. The VTCC as a whole will partner with the Bulembu Country Lodge (BCL) to establish Bulembu as a viable conference destination, both in Swaziland and in the South African region. Already the BCL has seen an increase in traffic, resulting in increased stays and total revenues. With the VTCC scheduled to open its doors at the beginning of next year, there are plans to expand the BCL’s room offering. The 50 room hostel will soon undergo a complete renovation to upgrade the facility to hotel quality rooms. This will more than double the Bulembu Country Lodge’s room offering.

Thank you to CIDA and our many partners who are working with us to ensure the 2020 Vision becomes a reality.

Dairy Development

2010-10-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

Bulembu Jersey Cow

As we roll into October the Bulembu Dairy continues to prove that converting the town golf course into a community dairy, was a step in a great direction. Bulembu Dairy currently has a herd of 78 Jersey cows, 39 of which are ‘in milk’. Schalk de Klerk, the new dairy manager has increased milk production to 21.4 liters per cow per day from 14 liters, which has pushed overall milk production up to 820 L per day. This is outstanding output compared to dairy farms across Swaziland.

Milking takes place twice a day at 5:00 AM and at 4:00PM. Seven dairy workers make sure that cows are milked and fed at specific times each day.

One of the primary motivators for establishing Bulembu Dairy was to supply children in the Child Care Program with milk and dairy based products at a reduced cost. Due to the increase in milk production we have exceeded original expectations. Not only are we producing enough milk to serve our Child Care needs, but the rest of the Bulembu community are able to purchase locally produced milk products as competitive prices. As well, we have been able to increase our market share outside of Bulembu and are now supplying an extra 14,000L of milk based products into the Swaziland market per month. The Bulembu store in Piggs Peak is our primary point of product distribution and is contributing just over 50% of the sales.

Future expansion of the dairy will include a goat herd which will supply to the child care program. The prime reason for taking on the goat project is to replace the formula for the lactose intolerant babies.


Cows are fed while being milked.


Cows being milked.


This is where the milk is collected after milking.

Dairy pastures.

Sweet As Honey

2010-09-14T03:51:00.000-07:00

Packaged Bulembu Honey

Bulembu honey is definitely beginning to build up a great reputation for its honey and is in high demand with the local people of Swaziland and foreigners who visit Bulembu. The honey department harvests around 11 tons of honey per year and now has just under 1,000 hives. The aim is to decrease the number of total hives and increase the productivity of each hive to continue to meet the demand. It is a bit of a challenge protecting the honey from honey badgers and other thieves when there are so many hives to keep and eye on.

This year a number of aloe trees have been planted around the hives so that production of honey can continue without artificial food even during the off-season. This will definitely boost production as Bulembu Honey is supplying local retailers, hotels, lodges and is beginning to tap into the South African market as well. Although this year has had numerous challenges with the harvesting season (excessive rain, high winds, etc) there is still tons to be excited about – including more of that honey that everyone is talking about.


Hive boxes

Honey department

Tenors In Bulembu

2010-09-01T02:26:00.000-07:00

Tenors with the Canadian High Commissioner

What a week it was for Bulembu hosting our special friends, The Canadian Tenors.

It all began when the Tenors arrived in South Africa on the 21st of August to perform at the Canadian High Commissioner, Adele Dion’s private residence in Pretoria. A number of distinguished guests attended, helping to bring awareness to Bulembu and raise funds for child care homes.

The Tenors journey continued to ‘Choose Life Church’ where the Swazi 1000 team had eagerly prepared the venue for Voices for Bulembu: South Africa. There was such excitement and expectation in the air it was almost tangible. The South African crowd enjoyed every moment and were captivated by the Tenors soaring voices. Not only did the event focus on Bulembu and the mission outreach team Swazi 1000, but it also gave the South African audience a brilliant introduction to the Tenors.

Next on the tightly planned Tenors schedule was their long awaited return to Bulembu. Many changes had taken place since their first visit in 2008 when they were initially introduced to Bulembu’s 2020 vision.

The Tenors spent most of their time with children in the Bulembu Child Care Program and amazingly recognized a few of the children they had met the first time they visited. Having met a number of these kids when they were still very young, to see them bigger, stronger and more mature was an encouragement.

Tenors dancing at Bulembu concert

Singing and making music definitely is one of the Tenors gifts and they were sharing that gift wherever they went in Bulembu. The kids love singing and inevitably, wherever the Tenors went they ended up singing and dancing with the children. On Wednesday night it was Bulembu’s turn to have the Tenors perform for them. The Bulembu community came together in the building the Tenors originally performed in during their first trip, a building which has undergone significant renovations.

Drummers walked to the front of the stage and placed their hide skinned drums comfortably on the newly cemented floor. They started drumming a rhythm that was almost hypnotizing and within minutes of the beating drums five young Swazi boys entered the room with the Tenors right behind them with sticks in hand pointing to the ceiling, in a traditional Swazi dance. When they reached the stage area the young boys signaled to the Tenors that it was now time to start dancing the Swazi dance that they had been taught. They danced with determination and with smiles.

The evening was filled with talent. A group of Swazi girls performed a traditional dance in their Swazi attire followed by John Mann, lead singer of the Canadian band Spirit of The West. Finally children from the Bulembu Christian Academy performed a few songs for the Tenors, which ended in a group sing-along . It was an event the whole community will remember for a long time.

John Mann performing at Bulembu concert

Swazi girls performing a traditional Swazi dance at Bulembu concert

Tenors hanging out with the kids

Road Renovation

2010-08-10T03:46:00.000-07:00

As Bulembu continues to grow and develop the towns old infrastructure continues to be upgraded to meet the growing needs of the community. In the last year the Bulembu leadership has worked to overhauled most of the electrical, water and sewage. Next on the list - the roads. Road maintenance has had to take a bit of a backseat in the last few years, which has left tourists, visitors and the rest of the community experiencing a bit of a bumpy ride.

One visitor in particular who spent a few days in Bulembu in 2008 saw the deteriorating roads and new he could do something about it. With a generous donation from this individual, the maintenance team has begun to overhaul the main Bulembu road which is 5.1km long. This project, which started this year and will be finished in 2011, is important because it will be securing a vital deteriorating asset. The benefit will save thousands of dollars a month on vehicle repairs (suspension, etc.) Roads might not always be something you think about when we talk about restoring Bulembu to a self-sustaining community, but for the residents of the community and those who have dedicated themselves to the Bulembu vision everything that help make the journey to 2020 smoother is always a step in the right direction.

One of the roads in Bulembu being repaired

Bulembu road-works team

Ngwenya Sobhuza II

2010-08-04T00:30:00.001-07:00

Last week Swaziland celebrated the birthday of the Great King Sobhuza II. But exactly was this great King? Sobhuza II was born in Zombodza, Swaziland on the 22 July 1899. Initially Sibhuza was named Nkhotfontjeni which means “Stone Lizard”. However, when he reigned as King of Swaziland in his later years, he was named ‘Ngwenyama’ which means ‘Lion’. His grandmother, Labotsibeni became regent while he was still young, during a time when there was incredible strife between the Swazis and the British. In 1903 the Swazi nation fell under British control as a protectorate. This meant that Swaziland lost autonomy and communication with other countries, but would receive protection by the British. Four years later a British commissioner arrived in Swaziland and commanded that 63% of Swazi land belong to Europeans. A large amount of Swazis then found themselves not living on Swazi National Land and had to relocate. They were given 5 years to move from their homes otherwise they were forced to leave. This was not a great place for a country to be in and Labotsibeni was determined that the following king would regain full control of Swaziland.

His grandmother knew that she had to think of something to get Swaziland back…

The matriarch knew that the only way to regain control of all land in Swaziland was to groom the new king to be able to communicate and understand the European ways as well as the African. With that in mind, Sibhuza went to Swazi primary and secondary schools with teachers that were flown in from north America and then attending the Lovedale college in South Africa.

When Sobhuza II became king of Swaziland in 1921 he brought hope that the country could be restored. However, for this hope to be realized, the King had to overcome a number of major obstacles. The Swazi King immediately challenged the 1907 partition by the British High Commissioner. He flew to Britain to meet with King George V and petitioned him to restore the land, but his request was refused. This response did not take away from the King’s unwavering determination. Subhuza proved to be an excellent politician and over time won back Swaziland’s full independence, although it wasn’t until 1968 - a victorious and watershed moment in the history of Swaziland. A resident of Bulembu recalls King Subhuza and says “His people loved him. He called his people to the royal kraal to discuss country issues, he built dams for irrigation and most importantly he brought the country back from British rule and brought peace and stability.”

World Cup Fever

2010-07-26T03:11:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Soccer World Cup was the most spoken about topic in South Africa and had the world watching in anticipation. This soccer-fever certainly didn’t breeze past Swaziland or Bulembu. Most of the Bulembu community embraced the South African (Bafana Bafana) team as their own and showered them with support throughout the Cup.

Norman Tzabedzeor better known as Norman-the-storeman and the majority of Swazis are as passionate about soccer, as Americans are with their football and Canadians with their hockey. Not only does he coach what we believe is the next generation of Swazi soccer players at the Bulembu Academy, but he also makes sure that there is a community room available so people can watch and follow soccer matches.

Before the World Cup started, Dennis Neville,Director of Education and HR recognized the potential soccer had in bringing unity to the community of Bulembu and made provisions to amalgamate the World Cup opening day with a community soccer day. “We have been speaking for a while now about what we can do as a town to bring all the staff together, bless them, to encourage them, so just the timing of it worked out perfectly.

Members from the community arrived at the soccer fields in jovial anticipation for the opening match between South African and Mexico and the chance to watch community matches.. Each department from Bulembu Ministries had organized a representative soccer team. While the crowds were enjoying their hotdog and coke, which was provided free of charge by Bulembu ministries, the first two teams prepared to show off their fancy footwork. As the teams started playing, the crowds of children, teachers, parents and workers gathered around eagerly, several blowing the famous plastic ‘vuvuzela’ in support of their players. The community soccer day was a great success and there is no doubt there will be more events like this happening in the future. It was the start of a great experience for the community to be part of the World Cup. Still today, you can hear the vuvuzela blown throughout town at local soccer matches for the Academy and between community teams. It is a great reminder to the positive impact the Cup had on South Africa and on the community of Bulembu.

2010-07-14T00:10:00.000-07:00

Ship Ahoi

On Monday last week, a food container that was shipped from a US based organized called Stop Hunger Now arrived in Bulembu. Stop Hunger Now generously sent Bulembu 114,048 prepackaged dehydrated food meals. In a country where 40% of people live off of International Food Aid, there is no doubt it will be used to help save lives.

Who exactly is ‘Stop Hunger Now’ and what do they do?

‘Stop Hunger Now’ is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. The organization is driven by a vision to end world hunger in our lifetime and a mission to provide food and life-saving aid to the world’s most destitute and hungry in the most sustainable, efficient and effective manner.” Check out their website to find out more - www.stophungernow.org

Bulembu will be distributing the food not only to our community, but to other child care organizations within Swaziland. This is to ensure that the number of children reached is maximized. In the past, Stop Hunger Now has experienced that the food has at times been handed out to schools that already provided hot meals to their children at lunch, whereas that food could have been given to children who were in a greater need of food to survive.

Two of the childcare centers that Bulembu will be sharing the food packs with is the ‘Lighthouse Care Centre’ and ‘Teen challenge Swaziland’ – both which were founded by Bulembu board member Kevin Ward. Their mission is to reach out to the youth of Swaziland that have become victims of substance abuse and HIV AIDS, leaving children destitute and needing to fend for themselves. Bulembu is also looking to partner with a primary school in a small community in the eastern part of the country, Sisteki.

The Ants Who Built A Kingdom

2010-06-21T01:13:00.000-07:00

“The lion cannot exist without the ant,” explains Rose Woller, Bulembu’s Manager of Short-Term Volunteers and Teams. “Here in Bulembu volunteers are important to the coexistent way that the organization functions. For the big things to happen at the top we need the little things to happen at the bottom.”

Up until recently Bulembu’s volunteer program has been an informal process. People from around the world have become familiar with the work in Bulembu, wanted to be involved and after a screening process have been slotted into the community to meet a certain need or for a certain experience for however long suited them personally. But now, with the organization growing rapidly the volunteer program is undergoing some major changes to give the program more structure and the volunteers more stability.

“While we are still in the planning phases of this, the idea is to create three separate categories that a volunteer can fall into,” Rose explains. “Where there used to simply be ‘volunteers’ the plan is to have tourists, voluntourists and staff members.”

First, tourists are visitors to Bulembu who stay for more than one day and who’s primary purpose is to stay at the Lodge and see the sights of Bulembu. Second, voluntourists are people who are visitors to Bulembu and stay for between one week and three months. They volunteer to assist in any area or within a specific role in Bulembu. Voluntourists have a structured, scheduled experience by which they engage with the community, are built into spiritually by those around them, and help lift the burden of serving in what ever way is needed at the time. And third, volunteers who stay for longer than a year are now considered staff. They are volunteers still because they are unpaid but they are staff in regards to the team they are a part of, the specific need they fill and the commitment to and from the organization that they have.

“The process of adjusting the volunteer structure has been good as it has been necessary,” says Dennis Neville, Bulembu’s Director of Education and Training. “We want to take care of the volunteers and show how much we value and appreciate them. Refining this system is a part of showing them that.”

After the A-B-C's Comes the 1-2-3's of Bulembu Christian Academy

2010-06-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

It’s been just over a month since Bulembu Christian Academy made the switch from the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum to the Cambridge curriculum. This blogger checked in with Dennis Neville, Bulembu’s Director of Education and Training, to find out how thing are going…

2020: Overall, tell us how the transition has gone.

DN: The transition has gone very well. There have been a few organizational and communication bumps along the way but as a general rule it has gone smoothly.

2020: The physical structure of the school has undergone quite a change as the classrooms had to be converted from the ‘office’ system to a more traditional layout. What was that process like?

DN: The team that made the physical changes to the building were exceptional. Bulembu’s Resident Engineer, Collin Cotterrell, and his infrastructure team of welders, carpenters and painters really were incredible. In two weeks they turned the whole school around and had the right attitude and the right approach to the whole project. I am very grateful to them for their professionalism and heart to serve with excellence. They successfully transformed ten classes from the ACE office cubicle setup to a conventional classroom setting – complete with brand-new, Bulembu manufactured desks.

2020: How have the teaching staff adapted to the changes?

DN: The teachers have really grabbed the bull by the horns with this change. They have run with the vision and the new curriculum. They are working incredibly hard building a new curriculum and helping the children to adapt to the changes. They are using the Swazi curriculum as a base but are building on top of it and adding to it which requires a lot of planning and extra hours. I really value the passion and dedication of our staff at BCA who have made all of these changes possible.

2020: The switch from ACE to Cambridge is quite a jump in learning styles and classroom environment. How are the children adjusting?

DN: Some of the children have battled to adapt and some of them struggled with the particular grade that they had been placed in. Our team have worked hard to help the children adapt. Overall the children have been resilient and coped well.

2020: What was the process that dictated which grade each child was placed in?

DN: To place children in their new grades we took two factors into consideration. First we examined where they were in the ACE curriculum and how they were doing in that program. And second we gave all the children Cambridge Progression Tests in English and Mathematics. These tested their capacity in each subject and we were able to place them according to those results.

2020: How are you measuring the success of the transition and the impact of the new curriculum on the students?

DN: We are testing the children every two weeks to gauge adaptation to the new curriculum and to make sure that good learning is taking place. We’re not quite at the stage yet where we have conclusive results.

2020: Have any additional staff been hired on at the school?

DN: We have three new staff on board so far – three promising teachers for our Grade 1, Grade 4 and Grade 6 classes. We are still looking to add to our team in especially the high school and are specifically looking for a Maths and Science teacher.

2020: Has the timetable changed at all?

DN: The timetable has opened up and has changed for both the primary and high schools. In the high school we are now offering two new courses in addition to what was being covered before: Accounts and English Literature. In our efforts to ensure that we continue to disciple our children and lay the right biblical foundations in their lives, we also offer a new subject called Biblical Studies and Life Orientation. Extra curricular activities are largely the same as they were during the ACE curriculum. On Monday and Wednesday the students have sport and can choose between netball, soccer (boys and girls), volleyball and we have just started up a cricket team. On Tuesdays the students have more cultural options, which include Swazi dance, choir, drama, chess and art. And then on Thursday afternoons the students all participate in the Royal Rangers program which combines Christian discipleship, leadership training and outdoor education.

2020: So, from your perspective, overall the transition at the school from the ACE curriculum to the new curriculum has been…

DN: Exciting and challenging. I have such a sense of excitement as I walk through the school and see the level of learning that is taking place. Our purpose is to raise the next generation of Swazi leaders through spiritual, physical, educational and emotional transformation. Please pray for us for God’s wisdom and favour so that we can see our children become all that God has called them to be.

Bulembu gets ABC-ed!

2010-06-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

In August 1992 an abandoned, malnourished and neglected 4-month-old baby found his way into Robyn and Gerry Richter’s home in Simunye, Swaziland. They took him in, nursed him back to health and eventually made the decision to adopt him as their own. A year and a half later a second baby, this time a year old, arrived on their doorstep in much the same state as the first. After nursing him back to health and realizing that there was nowhere else for this child to go they adopted him as well.

“It was due to this lack [of foster support for abandoned children] that we looked into the matter more and found that very little help was being given to the abandoned or unwanted baby,” the Richters’ mission statement reads. “In Swaziland, there is no Children’s Act to protect the child. They are not top of the priority list and so very little was being done, in the country, to accommodate these children. They live and die and no one knows of their existence…We made a decision to help these children wherever we could and whenever we came into contact with babies or children in this situation. It was out of this lack and in this need here in Swaziland that ABC Ministry (Abandoned Babies for Christ) was born.”

And so, for the past 14 years, ABC has taken in abandoned and unwanted babies that have often been close to death, have nursed them back to health and have cared for them as their substitute parents.

In 2004 ABC moved from Big Bend to Bulembu with the vision of opening a main home and managing satellite homes. With a seemingly daunting task ahead of them, Robyn and Gerry took it one day at a time and slowly their ministry began to grow.

But near the end of 2009 it became clear that the ministry was stretched beyond what they could handle. “The home was just getting too big for us to manage,” Robyn explains. “We had such an increase in abandoned babies coming into our home that we needed to expand and we needed help. It was time to grow bigger but we knew that to do so we would need assistance and we would need to restructure.”

Enter Bulembu Ministries Swaziland.

“In early 2010 we began a conversation with ABC Ministries to see if we couldn’t integrate their ministry with ours,” explains Vernon Puttkammer, Bulembu Ministries Swaziland’s Director of Orphan Care. “They had grown quickly and were restricted with how much more they could grow due to a lack of resources. BMS has the resources to support ABC but was also needing a baby home to make our program complete as up until the integration we only had the programs to care for children over the age of four. Integration was the logical next step for both of us.”

The integration was made official on May 1, 2010 and has been smooth. Under the new name of Bulembu Baby Home the program will be managed by Robyn and Gerry still under the banner of ABC Ministries. Major points of policy include BMS taking legal guardianship of all the babies and children that are brought to the Bulembu Baby Home and the continued placement of children for National adoptions to Swazi families through the Swaziland Department of Social Welfare and Judicial system.

Other details of the integration include:

- When Bulembu Baby Home children turn four they will move from Bulembu Baby Home into the BMS Orphan Care homes.
- BMS will provide additional funding and support for Bulembu Baby Home’s daily operational expenses.
- BMS will actively recruit long-term volunteer workers acceptable to Bulembu Baby Home for additional staffing depth and stability.
- BMS will provide personnel to assist with daily administrative functions of the infant care program.

One of the most important points that this integration addresses is a plan of succession. As a result, currently plans are being made to set up a structure and protocol that would allow for the management of Bulembu Baby Home to be transferred from one manager to another easily. “Jerry and I are getting older and we didn’t want out hard work in getting this home established to fade away if something happens to us,” Robyn explains. “The integration gives us the assurance that this ministry will continue under BMS.”

While a positive change, the transition has not been easy personally for Robyn and Gerry. “We had older foster children living with us and have chosen to transfer them into the BMS Orphan Care Homes as well as the Jacaranda Home for Girls which was incredibly hard,” Robyn says. “Gerry and I are also moving out of the baby home and into an adjacent home to have some personal space. This move in itself has been hard because I’ve always lived in the baby home and been hands on. My role is now changing and I am managing the home rather than working directly in it and the release of the daily operations over to my workers has been difficult. They are incredibly capable though and I believe they will rise up and fulfill the roles they have been trained for.”

Future plans for Bulembu Baby Home include opening up a new home for children ages 18 months to 2 years as well as a third toddler home.

“ABC has done a phenomenal job with what they had. With increased pressure in orphan care due to Swaziland’s situation as well as our need for a more complete orphan care program, we are privileged to have Robyn and Gerry with all of their expertise managing this program for us,” Vernon says. “We are excited about growing this program and taking care of the pressing needs of abandoned babies in Swaziland.”

Down Yonder at the Clinic

2010-05-19T02:47:00.001-07:00

There have been a lot of big changes happening over at Bulembu Clinic in the past couple of months. Here is a summary of what’s been going down:

Midwife

A new nurse/midwife from Siteki, Swaziland is joining the clinic team at the beginning of June. “We have a high volume of pregnant women that need prenatal care and our new midwife is very experienced and has been a unit manager on various labor wards internationally,” explains Clinic Manager, Niel. “Along with prenatal care she will be focusing on prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission as well as child vaccinations.”

The new midwife will bring the clinic staff to a grand total of seven: one midwife, two medical staff, one part-time medical consultant, two janitorial staff and one ambulance driver. With the Clinic team seeing over 40 patients each day the new midwife is a welcome addition to the staff.

Training, Training, Training

Bulembu Clinic Manager, Niel and Bulembu Director of Education and Training, Dennis Neville, have started an occupational health and safety committee. The committee will ensure that all departments within Bulembu are educated about and uphold basic standard health and safety precautions.

“We want to train all Bulembu employees to ensure that they work in a healthy environment,” says Niel. “Training will include hazard identification, certain precautions to take to prevent injury to life and damage to property, as well as basic first aid training.”

In addition, Niel and Wiseman, the Clinic’s nurse, are going to Johannesburg over the next two weekends to do courses in pediatric advanced life support and international trauma life support, both of which are accredited by the American Heart Association.

“These courses are intense,” says Niel. “They are vital qualifications for us to have because we are living and working in a rural community that is focusing on child care. To be able to provide superior service to our patients in these areas is key and this training will help us reach that level.”

Antiretroviral (ARV) Medication and HIV/AIDS Testing

“We are excited to say that we have free ARV medication available for all HIV/AIDS patients in Bulembu now,” says Niel.

Baylor Medical School (Texas, USA) has a clinic in Mbabane and provides all pediatric ARV medication and support at the Bulembu Clinic. In addition, a team from Pigg’s Peak Hospital has teamed up with the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health (New York, USA) to refill and dispense ARVs to all of Bulembu’s adult patients. Both teams come once per month and as a result of their generous support these drugs are provided to the Bulembu community at no cost to the patients or to BMS.

Testing for HIV/AIDS at the clinic is also on the rise as the testing rate has gone up from 14 patients/month to almost 70 patients/month since Christmas. “We have a prevalence rate of approximately 35% in Bulembu,” Niel says. “But the increase in testing shows us that people are more concerned with knowing their status and are also keen to be educated and equipped with the correct knowledge and resources to understand and act upon their HIV status.”

Greener Pastures

2010-05-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

There's an old adage that says, the grass is always greener on the other side. And here in Bulembu it definitely is greener over on the other side of town as the Bulembu Dairy has installed a new drag line irrigation system to ensure healthier pastures for the cows.

The system, just recently up and running, was installed over a period of three months by a team of pipe layers and tested by an external contractor.

The process? Two main pipes (110 mm and 160 mm) were laid down in the pastures. Off of the main pipes branch 40 mm pipes that feed water to the drag lines (above ground hoses) which attach to the actual sprinkler heads. (Below you can see the black drag line behind the sprinkler head, yes?).

The irrigation system covers the whole 15 hectare dairy property except for some of the steeper slopes.

“Currently we are in the winter and it is drier outside so we run the sprinklers six days a week,” says AJ, one of the Dairy hands. “In the summer season, however, we rarely use it because it rains so often. We’ll only turn it on if it hasn’t rained in over a week.”

There are 50 sprinkler heads. Each sprinkler uses 1,000 L of water per hour resulting in the whole system uses 50,000 L of water each hour and the water is taken from the same pump house as the Dvudvusi Orphan Homes on the far side of town.

Sprinklers = healthy pastures = healthy cows = fresh milk = happy children! What more could we ask for?

The Cawmat Comes To Town

2010-05-10T00:57:00.001-07:00

Say 'Hello' to Bulembu Timber's latest addition: the Cawmat Quad Resaw

“Down at the sawmill we’re doing a heart transplant of sorts,” says Bulembu Timber Manager Kurt Putkammer. “Yes, a heart transplant is the best comparison I can come up with.”

Naturally, such a metaphor warrants an explanation.

At the Bulembu Timber mill there is a machine that sits at the core of all sawmill functions: the Multi-Rip saw. A name like multi-rip inspires visions of an epic machine but in reality the Multi-Rip is inefficient – hence the transplant.

Another angle on the Cawmat Quad Resaw

The Multi-Rip saw takes in slabs of timber and turns them into planks by cutting them with between four and nine saw blades. Each saw blade has a 5.5 mm kerf (tooth) and therefore 5.5 mm x (however many blades are running) of the slab turns into sawdust waste.

Let’s say that the multi-rip runs four blades. 4 blades x 5.5mm kerf = 22.5 mm wide of waste.

The new saw, the Cawmat Quad Resaw’s equation is: 4 blades x 2.5mm kerf = 10 mm wide of waste.

That’s an increase in recovery of 12.5 mm per slab. On a wider slab it means a recovery of an additional plank.

“The Cawmat runs narrow bandsaw blades as opposed to the Multi-Rip’s circular saws,” Kurt explains. “It’s the difference in the type of blade each saw runs that makes for thinner sections of waste with the Cawmat.”

The bandsaw blades that are used in the Cawmat saw are also used in a number of other saws around the timber mill and as a result Bulembu Timber has already invested in on-site blade sharpening equipment. With the Multi-Rip, blades were sent away once a week to be sharpened.

The Cawmat Quad Resaw was manufactured by Cawmat Engineering in George, Western Cape, South Africa.

Cawmat Quad Resaw's insides

Solar Power is the New Black

2010-04-29T03:58:00.000-07:00

An example of the solar power mechanism that is being used in Bulembu

Colin Meier, Bulembu’s Resident Electrical Engineer has been doing experiments - experiments in how to harness the sun’s energy to lower the electrical requirements for heating water in geysers in Bulembu.

“Currently I am working on a project to manufacture solar panels out of corrugated iron sheets in Bulembu for R500 [$90 USD] which is a deal because to buy them costs on average approximately R7,000 [$1,000 USD],” Colin explains. “The solar panels we can make here use the sun’s energy to heat water in a holding tank so that when it arrives in a house’s geyser it is already sitting at 30°C instead of 16°C.”

When water gets funneled into a geyser normally it is at a temperature of 16°C and the geyser must then heat that water to 60°C. But with the solar panels heating the water before it arrives in the geyser the water must only be heated from 30°C to 60°C instead of from 16°C to 60°C. So the solar panel does not cut out the geyser’s job it simply lessens its workload.

From far away this mechanism may just look like a pile of junk but in fact this mechanism may help reduce electricity used by the geyser by over 30% thus decreasing Bulembu's electricity bill

Corrugated iron sheets are used to catch the heat from the sun and warm the copper tubing that runs along the inside of it, which in turn warms the water that filters through it

Water runs from a holding tank through the copper tubing inside the corrugated metal sheet and back into the geyser 14°C warmer than it was in the holding tank

Makes sense, right? Well there’s more…

By simply cutting out a difference of 14°C by using the solar panel, Colin estimates that the cost of running a geyser will decrease by over 30%. When a geyser takes up over 45% of the average electrical bill using solar panels in conjunction with the geysers adds up to big savings for people in Bulembu.

“We’re just in the experimental stage right now,” Colin says. “It seems to be working but the next step is to paint the solar panel black to see if decreasing the amount of reflection and increasing the absorption of heat will make any difference in the panel’s efficiency.”

*Note: all temperatures and costs are approximations.

Solar Power Schematic

Bulembu Gets Schooled

2010-04-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

Bulembu Christian Academy students working hard at their various tasks

In the beginning…

No just kidding, that just sounded cool.

Since the establishment of Bulembu in 2006, Bulembu Christian Academy has been operating under the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program. But this week that is all changing as the school implements the more traditional, more universally accepted Cambridge curriculum.

What is ACE, you ask?

Well, the ACE education program Bulembu currently uses is an American-based curriculum focused on individualized learning that allows students to learn at their own pace. Children learn from “paces”, which are workbooks that allow students to set individual goals in building their understanding in English, Social Studies, Science and Math. This manner of studying differs from a more standard classroom setting, where teachers stand in front of the class and students take notes and raise questions. This is because an ACE classroom has children in their own cubicle, their own modest office space, where they complete their resource books. If they have a question students raise a miniature flag at their station and the supervisor comes to assist them. There is also a monitor who is in the classroom to address administrative inquiries. When a student finishes a pace they go to a scoring table in the center of the room where they mark their scores then they return to their station and move onto the next exercise.

With the ACE system all the students in a classroom work at their own seperate paces

Why is ACE not suitable for the Bulembu context anymore?

Part of the challenge working with ACE is that it is complicated to tell which grade level each individual student is in. They work in groups according to their age, so in a group of 9-10 year olds, some would be working at grade level one, some would be at grade level four, it really depends on the pace material they are working through at the time. So within one class there can be a huge range of work levels simultaneously.

Other ACE challenges include the fact that the exercises encourage short-term memory development but do not do enough to ensure long-term information retention, comprehension and analytical thinking. Another pitfall is that there is very little group interaction and students are not really from a teacher and they are also not learning from one another.

Lastly, one of the primary reasons for changing from the ACE platform is that its qualifications do not open as many doors for students in the future as the Cambridge program does. ACE does not provide students with access to national Swazi or South African colleges. The ACE system lacks collegiate preparation for the children.

So, why Cambridge?

The Cambridge system of education encourages the children to ask questions and take part in classroom discussions

The Cambridge system provides students with a quality of education that enables them to apply for and study at any institution of higher learning around the world. The Cambridge curriculum focuses on developing students’ analytical thinking, which helps to stretch their comprehension, their long-term memory, and their ability to think and write in complete ideas and full paragraphs. All of this ultimately leads to better classroom discussions, which puts the students into the role the intellectual. The Cambridge system also offers students the opportunity to obtain an exit certificate at any point during their education. They can use this to gain meaningful employment or enter a trade school, increasing their opportunities and giving them confidence in their abilities.

The change from ACE to Cambridge also brings with it good news for Bulembu’s bank account. With the ACE system the school spent around R30,000 for eight terms worth of resources, because once a student has worked through and written in their paces, the curriculum requires Bulembu to burn the used copies of the manuals, incurring a higher fee of replacing the textbooks at the end of the year. But with the new curriculum there is a higher initial cost and as well as yearly examination fees, but the textbooks have a three to five year shelf life and the student gets qualified internationally at the end of his or her tenure. Lastly, for one ACE class there are two salaries: one for the supervisor and one for the monitor. But under the Cambridge program there is one teacher. “As we place the monitors into different roles, it will allow us to pay our teachers a little bit more,” Dennis explains. “That gives us better teaching and helps us retain teachers over the long term.”

The Cambridge program provides students with a more teacher focused education. Because of this, Bulembu is putting more emphasis on developing the teachers so they are putting the best into the children. “We are very pleased to have a good team of teachers,” Dennis says. “The still need some development moving forward. Within the teachers there is the general sentiment that the change is positive.”

Teachers at Bulembu Christian Academy have been put through a training program to ensuer that they are prepared for the switch. ”These changes are significant changes which will require a lot from both our pupils and our teachers,” Dennis explains. “As a result, for our teachers we have initiated an intensive period of training which has taken place over the last month with two sessions ranging in length from 1.5 to 3 hours weekly. These will focus on preparing our teachers for the change. We have aimed to prepare them to interpret and understand our new curriculum, to present this curriculum to our learners in the best possible way and to cope with any challenges arising within their classes as a result of these changes.”

Swaziland Flag Day

2010-04-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

Only one week after King Mswati’s birthday, Swaziland is getting ready to celebrate Flag Day. Today the country celebrates its national flag which symbolizes Swaziland’s royal heritage and long history in the Southern Africa region. This symbol of national pride proudly adorns everything from socks to t-shirts and is one of the most highly decorated flags of any nation.

The flag, which was officially adopted in 1967 after Swaziland gained its independence from Britain, consists of three horizontal stripes. There is a blue stripe at the top and bottom separated by a red stripe edged in yellow in the middle. Placed centrally on the red stripe is a traditional black and white Swazi shield which symbolizes black and white people living together in harmony. The shield lays over two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels. The blue color of the Swaziland flag stands for peace, while the tassel symbolizes the monarchy (which is one of the few absolute monarchies remaining in the world), and the yellow color represents the mineral wealth of the country. The red symbolizes the battles of the past.

So go to your local Checkers or Pick-n-Pay to purchase a flag show off your Swazi pride. Even if you’re just a visitor to this tiny country with a big heart you’re sure to be welcomed with open arms. Nibe neluhambo loluphephile!

-Martin Shirk

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

Strap on your Birkenstocks and get out the granola for today is Earth Day, my friends.

That’s right, today, April 22, is the day when we walk to work, when we recycle our cans and remember that we are simply stewards of this beautiful Earth, protectors of its resources for the next generation and entirely responsible for leaving it in a better state than we found it.

(Can you feel that? That’s Al Gore beaming with pride.)

Here in Bulembu we make an effort to ensure that the town functions in environmentally sensitive, globally sustainable ways. One such effort is the Bulembu Forestry Seedling Pilot Project.

This project has been developed at the very base level to supply forestry seedlings to the greater Swazi forestry industry in order to generate income that will move Bulembu closer towards its goal of self-sustainability.

By providing the Swaziland’s major forestry sector players with seedlings that are produced inside Swaziland Bulembu will allow these companies to cut down on cost as previously they had to import all their seedlings from South Africa.

Economically the focus would be to reduce transport cost as far as possible by reducing travel distance to the market. Minimizing the movement of the seedlings also reduces possibility of damage and loss.

The seedling project is located in a 27-meter long tunnel that is located on the west side of the town up behind Stores. The tunnel was purchased used from a different seedling project in Swaziland and is covered with UV resistant plastic and a 40% white shade net. The plastic covering prevents washout in the seedling trays during hard rain, protection from wind and provides a stable climate, which is conducive for the germination of the seeds.

The Home of Bulembu Forestry Seedling Pilot Project

Seedling racks were built inside the tunnel to raise the seedling trays off the ground ensuring good drainage of water through the growing medium. This is important, as seedling directly on the surface tend to remain water logged and die off.

The seedling racks are all built inside a tunnel and raised in order to keep the seedling trays off the ground thereby ensuring good drainage of water through the growing medium

Lastly, an overhead micro sprinkle system was installed enabling separate watering of seedling rack as is needed.

Each seedling rack is watered by a separate overhead micro sprinkler

Moving On Up

2010-04-21T01:34:00.000-07:00

The young men in front of their newly renovated home 'The Potter's House' in Bulembu

In the middle of February we posted on the renovations a group of young men were doing on a house in Bulembu (Let Men Be Men). The home is a project geared towards transitioning young men above the age of 17 out of the BMS children’s homes and into a more independent lifestyle.

Four weeks have passed since the young men finished the renovations on the house and moved into their new home.

The newly completed kitchen where the boys share their daily meals

The boys painted the bible verse their house was named after, 'The Potter's House', on the wall in order to encourage them daily

The sitting area in the house where the boys can spend time studying or relaxing together

“I was about to turn 18 when I was asked if I was interested in moving into this home,” says Knowledge, one of the young men who lives in the new house. “I wanted to because I was living with a group of children and I didn’t enjoy it because the difference in our ages meant that we were all interested in very different things.”

Knowledge in his new room that he shares with his house brothers

Sizwe (18) was much more straightforward in his reasoning for moving into the home saying, “I didn’t feel well living with little kids because I find them annoying.”

While the boys are supervised by Berto, one of Bulembu Ministries Swaziland’s youth mentor, the four young men seem to be enjoying their independence.

“I wanted to move into the house because I wanted to learn how to become a man,” says Phiwo, 18. “I have more freedom and more responsibilities for how to be a leader. It’s good because I feel like I am treated like an adult and I have more freedom to go play soccer when I want or to go visit my friends.”

Phiwo sitting on the front steps of his new home after a satisfying day of working hard on the house

The house members are required to fulfill various responsibilities, which teach them to take ownership of their new home. “I am learning how to take responsibility for myself and for others here at home,” says Sizwe. “We do lots of chores – everything from cleaning the washroom and hallway, cooking, and keeping the garden clean. It’s really good living here because instead of having to take care of things we choose to take care of things.”

Sizwe is excited to be taking on the new responsibilities that come with adulthood such as gardening

The four residents of 'The Potter's House'

Welcome Home

2010-04-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

Fact: three more orphan homes have been completed up on the Dvudvusi row and the 18 children moved in last Saturday.

This home is located in the neighbourhood of Dvudvusi (pronounced “doo-doo-zie”). Dvudvusi is a tiered hillside neighbourhood distinguished by its long rows of homes (if you’ve been to town this is the area at the very top of the brightly coloured village/smartie box houses).

This area formally housed migrant workers for the mine and these particular homes are located on the second row from the top of the hill (row yet to be named) just below a row of recently rehabilitated houses, which have recently (within the past six months) become home to many of Bulembu’s children. These homes are also located on the same row as the new centralized dining hall facility.

The process of renovating an orphan home is as follows:

Once a home as been structurally assessed, workers begin demolition - the old fixtures are dismantled, walls are taken down and the old asbestos roof is appropriately removed. Next, the home’s floor plan is reconfigured to include three bedrooms, one bathroom and a living room (remember, there’s no kitchen because all kitchen facilities are centralized). New windows and doors are installed, walls are prepped for new plaster, a new corrugated metal roof is installed and plumbing and electricity is run throughout the house. The final steps include painting, installing hardware and moving in all of the furniture needed to house six children and a caregiver.

And then last but not least the children settle into their new home.

Men in Trees

2010-04-12T06:13:00.001-07:00

There are men in the forest digging small holes and sticking things in them.

That’s right, it’s seedling-planting season.

This week a team of workers from Swaziland Siviculture Services is in town planting 6,944 eucalyptus grandus seedlings from the Bulembu Tree Nursery. That’s 1,736 seedlings per hectare spread out over four hectares of Bulembu’s property that was harvested last year.

“These seedlings grow on an eight year cycle,” explains Bulembu Timber Manager Kurt Puttkammer. “Normally we allow for natural regrowth in the forest but there has not been much growth in this area so new seedlings are best to ensure better quality trees.”

The area that is being planted was treated to prevent weed growth around the young seedlings. The Swaziland Siviculture Service workers will return in two weeks to make sure all the seedlings are healthy and to put down fertilizer.

Out With the Old and In With the New

2010-04-07T01:07:00.001-07:00

The old electrical switch gear.

Up until recently, the high voltage electrical switchgear at Bulembu which dated back to the 1940 and 50’s regularly would fail plunging the village into darkness.

However, as a result of a generous donation by the Jim Pattison Foundation towards the upgrade of the electrical, sewage and water infrastructures, all of the old switch gear has been replaced with the latest high-tech equipment. Furthermore, the old underground high voltage cables that criss-crossed the village and blew regularly, have been replaced with a network of new overhead lines and transformers.

The Bulembu team of electricians under the guidance of the Resident Electrical Engineer, Colin Meier, worked relentlessly in rain and sun to effect the replacement of the antiquated equipment.

The installation process for the new switch gear.

“We were living for a long time with aging infrastructure in our power network,” says Meier. “The new equipment we have installed allows us to do phase balancing power factor correction. This is basically a fancy way of saying that Swaziland Electric Company has hours when their tariffs are extremely high. So this equipment allows us for better moderation of power consumption during those peak hours so that we’re not touching on the high tariffs. We use the same amount of power but because of this load management we are able to save money. It’s simply a part of the process of becoming more efficient in our power usage.”

Bulembu Store Clocks in After Two Weeks

2010-03-31T07:29:00.001-07:00

Just a quick progress report: Bulembu Store which got off the ground earlier this month is currently doing an average of a E1,000.00 profit a day (approximately $150 CND). The majority of the sales are attributed to maas (sour milk) sales, selling an average of 100L of it each day.

“We are off to a good start,” says Colin le Roux, BMS Director of Enterprise. “We are obviously still in the process of increasing sales on a daily bases as sales in products like bread are still low. But this is a pilot project and as of now we are pleased with the results of our first few weeks.”

So, if you happen to find yourself passing through Piggs Peak stop in and visit the folks at Bulembu Store just across from the Piggs Peak Hospital and up the street from Boxer Supermarket.

Just a Chip (or 15 tons of chips) off the Ol’ Block

2010-03-24T04:16:00.001-07:00

Every day almost 35 tons of waste in the forms of sawdust and off-cut planks comes off the lines at Bulembu Timber’s sawmill. Currently a portion of the waste is turned into charcoal but in search of new markets and new product lines, Bulembu Timber has invested in a wood chipper. This wood chipper will ensure that none of Bulembu Timber's waste is actually wasted.

Here's how it works:

A sawdust separator at the waste exit of the mill will, as its name suggests, separate the sawdust from the off-cut planks. Then the off-cut planks will go directly into the chipper and will be chipped into 35mm pieces of wood.

Next, the chips will go into 3m tall bags and will be transported by truck to sugar mills in Simunye and Mhlume (both in Swaziland). These companies purchase chips and sawdust from Bulembu Timber to heat their sugar factories’ boilers (they use wood instead of coal).

With 15-20 tons of chips processed daily and selling at R400/ton the chipper is a welcome addition to Bulembu Timber's machinery family.

The Kids Who Live Upstairs

2010-03-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

So, here's the situation:

Up on the mountain there are rows of orphan homes. Currently only the top row is filled. The Central Dining Room is on the row below these homes. To get to the Dining Room for each meal the children have been walking down the road or cutting through the bush.

This isn’t ideal for a number of reasons:

(1) Children running on the road is a universal no-no.

(2) Children cutting through bush = mud on their feet = extra cleaning in the dining hall.

(3) Children cutting through bush = children tripping and falling = not good.

What is ideal, however, is that the G & J Paving team (Edmonton, Canada) has spent the last week in Bulembu and in partnership with local workers they have built a new staircase that connects the upper Dvudvusi row to the Central Dining Room.

“Building the staircase was very important for the Dvudvusi Orphan Care Program,” says Vernon Puttkammer, BMS’ Director of Orphan Care. “It’s important but not a priority enough to actually get done quickly. So when the G & J team came and offered to do the work for us we jumped at the chance. We really appreciate all of the hard work they put into building the staircase – it will make a big difference for the children.”