OCTOBER 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT
INTRODUCTION
October was a month filled with several events in the school even as things slowly get back to normal in the country regarding COVID19. Despite one notable setback, a number of activities took place in the month. These are reported below.
1.0 THIRD INTAKE UPDATE
Online classes have been progressing, though at a slow pace. The pace will pick up soon as students are set to come physically on campus from the 5th to the 20th of December and then resume again normally in early January. The December session would be to cover issues that could not be covered by the online classes. Outstanding examinations will be written in early January
2.0 THE SECOND INTAKE UPDATE
2.1 Evangelism
This class continued with its evangelism efforts. These efforts saw 21 souls being added to the church whilst 2 were restored. This is according to reports from the field. The locations of these students are covered in 2.3 below.
Baptism at Shackleton
2.2 Graduation
This class was supposed to graduate on the 3rd of October, however, due to the present challenges induced by the COVID19 pandemic, the event has to be postponed. The new date is now 13 February 2021.
2.3 Where are they?
Besides the following, there are three others, not listed, who are yet to complete their coursework;
· Isaac Mupanduki- Isaac is currently working with Bro. George Muhura in Kadoma. A new congregation was recently started at Waverly. This is the second in the town after Rimuka. Beginning in November, Isaac will officially be working with the Waverly congregation as its preacher.
· Virimai Gandiwa-Currently at Manyame, his home congregation under the tutorship of his preacher, Godwin Marandure. He is yet to be engaged.
· Takudzwa Chikuni-Currently serving as an associate minister at the Maware congregation in Chikomba District, Mashonaland East.
· Khulekhani and Thandikile Dube-Besides working with Sipaba congregation in Esigodini, Matebelaland South, the couple is also working with Zimbabwe Missions.
· Batsirai Tengurachepa- Batsirai is now the preacher at Redcliff church of Christ, a new congregation that began last year during the school’s field program.
· Blessing Tiyani- Blessing is currently at his home but working with Mashayamvura congregation in Manicaland.
· Matthew Adrian Phiri- Matthew is at Alaska, Chinhoyi. He is currently working with his home preacher at Alaska and other congregations. Brother Donivert Khata (the local preacher) works with several congregations which includes Alaska, Shackleton, Mhangura and Piringani among others.
· Gray Ndoro-Gray is currently working with the Plasworth congregation. This is the congregation that was recently started at the school’s permanent site. Gray is available for full time engagement anywhere.
· Charles Muzambi-Charles has is now the resident Minister at Warren Park in Harare.
3.0 LOSS OF SOLAR PANELS
Whilst there was progress on several fronts, we lost solar panels and the control unit to thieves on the 25th of October. This is a major setback to the plans the school was having. These were fitted to a borehole which was providing water to the community for consumption and their livestock. Both the school and the community have been affected greatly. Prior to this event, plans were at an advanced stage to put them on top of the hostel. The matter is now in the hands of the Police and is under investigation. On a positive note, the incident has increased our determination and resolve to increase our presence at the site besides the security system we had put in place.
4.0 AUDIT REPORT
Part of BVBIZ’s values includes transparency and stewardship. To enhance these, the schools books are audited annually. We want to the thank the Board for making this possible. The books were then audited by Brother Brighton Raradza. This report and the recommendations are attached.
5.0 PROJECTS
5.1 Poultry
BVBIZ targets to have broilers, layers and free range (road runners) as part of its poultry projects. As reported in our last report, we started a broiler project with 50 birds. This batch was a success. The market was also good. On the 16th of October, we got a batch of 200. This is partly being sponsored by the first batch. This batch will be ready towards the end of November.
5.2 Maize and beans-land Preparation
As reported in the last report, the school has been offered close to ten (10) hectares for use during this coming planting season which is set to begin in November. If resources were available, we would want to make use of all the available hectares. This will indeed be a game changer in the school as there is a prediction of good rains this season. The vision is to reduce the food budget significantly by planting maize, beans, sunflower and other crops. Maize and sunflowers will also be key to our poultry project. In October, we were able to prepare 2 hectares of land at a cost of US$170. The total needed is $4770 if the school is to make maximum use of the available land.
6.0 TEACHER’S HOUSE-UPDATES
There was great progress in the month of October towards preparations for the construction of the teachers house. 21000 bricks are now on site. 5000 more bricks are still needed. The plan for the house has already been drawn and work is expected to commence around mid-November. Earlier on, the projection was to commence work in January, but since we have received some funds from various sources, work can commence. We appreciate the following donations (both locally and internationally) that have been made so far for this effort. The following is the list so far;
1. Chipendo Family $20
2. Chirenda family $250
3. Mpofu family $64
4. Gwena family $20
5. Nyahada family $100
6. Woodland Oaks congregation $3000
CONCLUSION
Despite the loss of solar panels, we praise God for the stage that the school reached in the month. BVBIZ could not have reached this far without the unwavering support we have been receiving. Thank you for your moral, spiritual, financial and material support. Together, the world will be won to Christ. We remain grateful to you all. To God be the glory!