isiSkills Expands With New Workshop
IsiThembiso, or Children of Promise, is one of All Nations Cape Town’s local ministries. Started in 2008, this ministry has focused on reaching the young people of Masiphumelele with the love of Jesus. A few years ago, the team started a new initiative, IsiThembiso Skills, out of a desire to equip the teenagers in the program with important job skills. As the children in IsiThembiso began to finish their high school education, many weren’t able to pursue further education or find a job in a country that experiences almost 30 percent unemployment. But the team is convinced that the young people they have worked with over the past eight years are full of character and potential. So IsiThembiso Skills was launched. Machiel Teekman, an ANCT member from the Netherlands, began teaching woodworking and construction skills to a few young men who had been part of IsiThembiso for years. He spent time teaching them practical skills, but also talking about life, bringing the truth of the gospel into every area of these promising young men’s lives. And at the beginning of March, the isiSkills program expanded in a big way. They were able to take over a workshop right next to Masi. Now with their very own space to work, the program can expand their capacity for training. The isiSkills team, which now includes the young men who have been working with Machiel over the past years, will be giving classes to young people in the afternoons. These young people will spend time learning about tools, safety, and how to build things. But built into the curriculum will also be time spent talking about the real issues of life, learning from the Bible about how God wants us to live. This is holistic discipleship — practical and spiritual needs being met together in the context of real relationship. We at All Nations Cape Town are excited to see the long-lasting results of IsiThembiso Skills as the team continues to disciple and raise up young leaders. Check out the IsiThembiso Skills Web site here: www.childrenofpromiseafrica.com/isithembiso-skills/