We would like to tell you a bit more about each of our interns, their lives and what they do at Tikondane. So, this month we are going to feature two of our best and brightest, typical of the people who are the glue that holds Tiko together….

 

First up, please meet Weston Phiri:

Weston is 37 years old and married with one daughter (four years old).  His wife lives in Chadiza (a little over an hour away) with her family, where she goes to school. Weston has finished building a house in the nearest compound to Tikondane. His daughter is already here, going to preschool. His wife will join both of them at the end of the school year.

Weston (2)Weston has a certificate in agriculture and livestock and is studying permaculture. He is the Principal of the Tiko Academy. He developed the 19-steps-out-of-poverty programme with the director and now teaches it. He also directs the Tiko gardeners and is a part of the District Nutrition coordinating committee where Elke, the director is also a member. His computer skills come in handy there and he also teaches computer classes at Tikondane. On official occasions, he functions as speaker and translator.

His training gives Weston the chance to become an extension officer with the Department of Agriculture. Should that happen, he would try very hard to be stationed in Katete and get a chance to carry the Tikondane agriculture messages further afield.

Next, please meet Edith Thole:

Edith is 30 years of age. She is separated with two children, aged 7 and 2. She has 3 dependents, aged 27, 22 and l9, with the two younger ones still going to school.

Edith has a great interest in store keeping and has almost finished an overseas course on Purchasing and Supply. She recently had to take over the top job, as our Isaac Kazembe fell ill and sadly is no longer mobile.

Edith with baby beauty, 6 months, superbaby, talks!Also, Edith has a big responsibility keeping Tikondane’s 40 or so products under control, for example: cassava flour which is produced by the Tiko crew; and bedspreads which are woven in the Tiko craft department. Edith must know how many kilos of cassava came in from the villages – people here are happy if they count the sacks, never mind the weight – and then she has to get them to weigh the result. The cassava flour then gets taken to the food shop and the kitchen. Edith has a very important role as an intern learning how to become a supervisor/manager. She is doing a wonderful job.

Over the next few months we will feature more of Tikondane’s exceptional interns…stay tuned….

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