Ibihwa Christian Education &
Vocational Training Centre
-
-
Motto
-
“I come so they might have life … that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b)
-
We learn, we Act, we change the world to be a better place
-
Vision
-
The Church communicating the loving word of God holistically, and living in harmony and peace among themselves and with her community.
-
Mission
-
To prepare leaders empowered to serve in the church holistically and to enable young people living in difficult conditions get appropriate skills to sustain themselves and their families.
-
History
-
The Ibihwa Christian Education and Vocational Training Centre moved from Matumbulu after having been there for more than five years. The late Bishop Godfrey Mhogolo moved it to Ibihwa to utilize buildings that had been idle for more than seven years after the former Rural Development Project had phased out and wanted to include vocational courses as the centre had been left with many unused tools.
-
The Vocational Training Courses started in 2011 with help from Friends of Colorado USA through the Carpenters Kids Program who provided full sponsorship to 95% of all vocational students. Since then we have young people who graduated in Carpentry, Metal work, and Tailoring:
-
• The first intake ran for one year in 2011
-
• The second was for two years from 2012 to 2013
-
• Third, ran for three years beginning 2014 to 2016
-
• The fourth, was between 2016-2018.
-
Friends from Colorado’s ten-year commitment ended December 2016, having empowered about 355 boys and girls to sustain themselves and their families.
-
Our strength is that we have adequate land, space, and water.
-
Courses
-
-
Christian Education
-
Courses for Catechists and Pastors. The goal is to help Catechists know essential biblical knowledge and Church Leadership, so they can overseer congregations of local churches.
-
✤Certificate in Theology
-
One year fundamental course to provide information about the Christian faith.
-
✤Diploma in Ministry
-
Two year course after successful completion of the Certificate Course.
-
-
Vocational Training Centre
-
✤Carpentry and Joinery – 2 years (currently 12 students)
-
✤Sewing and Fabrication – 2 years (currently 20 students)
-
✤Metal Work – 2 years
-
✤Conservation Agriculture and Hot Culture (currently 108 students)
-
Apiculture (bee keeping), Gardening, and Piggery
-
Plans
-
The impact of these courses is remarkable and owes much to the sponsorship of Friends from Colorado. We acknowledge that their help has changed the life conditions of these students and their families. Their commitment has now ended; we are looking for new friends to partner in helping the poor to be sustainable.
-
✤To add more courses such as driving school, conservation agriculture, horticulture, and masonry. Our plan is to reach more young people and instill them with relevant skills that will enable them to employ themselves.
-
✤To establish income generating projects to enable us to be self-sustainable
-
✤To begin keeping chickens, build a fish pond and enlarge the pen for the pigs
-
✤To produce more and network for the sale of our produce locally as well as abroad
-
Graduates
-
Among the first graduates (2011), Samuel James is the most successful candidate. He lives in Dodoma town, working as a very skilled carpenter in a workshop, and is able to sustain himself and family. bellow is a photo of James and his work.
-
-
Among the second graduating class (2012 -2013), Jacob of Mwitikira village works successfully with a group of women including the Pastor's wife, designing various goods and exporting them to the US for fundraising:
-
-
Among the third graduating class (2014-2016), Peter Taty is among those who are working with individuals and have demonstrated good skills.
-
-
Ibihwa Christian Education and Vocational Training Centre has changed the lives of young people. Most of them (about 75%) are now self employed.
-
