Aid and Development Testimonies and Stories
“We cannot be lulled into a false sense of security. The devastating surge of cases and deaths in India, and increases in other regions of the world, are clear signs that the pandemic is not yet over in African countries. A new upsurge of COVID-19 infections is a real risk in many countries even if the region’s case count in recent weeks appears to be stable,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Combatting COVID-19 fatigue appears to be the key battle in our collective response to the pandemic.”
WHO, African countries face high risk of COVID-19 resurgence, 29 April 2021 https://www.afro.who.int/news/african-countries-face-high-risk-covid-19-resurgence
For over a year now, our teams have been responding to the pandemic by distributing food, facemasks, and sanitation products. They have also been providing temporary or building permanent wash basins in community areas. The need is forever increasing and our teams are working hard to look after those who are suffering.
Below are some stories and testimonies from our teams:
AE Ethiopia recently distributed food parcels to 50 family heads who are some of the poorest in the community. The selection of the beneficiaries was done in partnership with the 15 local churches that AEE is working with for the 2021 Kotebe mission. It was explained to the beneficiaries that AEE is compelled to do such social action by the love of Christ.
A life transformed – Selina’s story
In remote parts of Ghana, children are often compelled to drop out of school to contribute to family income. In some cases this leaves them vulnerable to abuse. Providing a vocational pathway to young people to help them when their parents cannot, is a part of the ministry of African Enterprise Ghana. Amongst the hundreds of beneficiaries/graduates per year, Selina had it as hard as many. Emerging from a polygamous family of 11, Selina life was transformed after enrolling in the Ghana Street kids apprenticeship program. On completing her 3 year course, Selina now works in partnership with her mother to support her family and save toward creating their own tailoring shop. We are grateful to God that her future has a greater certainty than ever before.
A testimony from Kenya
“My name is Elvis Oltunga, I am 15 years old and I live in Korogocho slums with my parents and 3 siblings. I have just completed my primary school studies at Totola Primary School in Korogocho and I am looking forward to high school. I am very grateful to AEE for supporting me with school shoes and food for my family.
Hand Washing Stations Constructed at Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDCs)
A child in Rwanda is considered poor if they have no access to at least three of the following nutrition, water, sanitation, housing child protection (UNICEF Rwanda 2018, Child Poverty in Rwanda Summary). The cycle of poverty threatened to escalate during covid, however thanks to the work of AE Rwanda, washing stations were built at five early development centres to ensure that children had better access to sanitation and water to enable these schools to reopen.
With these raised hygiene standards, transmission of the covid virus and disease is significantly reduced. We give thanks for support and prayers that enabled us to make these important steps forward in consultation with communities.
Testimony from South Sudan
My name is Mrs. Sabi Agile, I am a mother of 5 children. My family was displaced from our home in Goro after fighting broke out between 2 tribes. For many nights we could not sleep in our houses and slept in the bushes due to fear of attacks and after many got killed we decided to flee and seek refuge in another area.
We walked for many hours without food or water and the children were crying but we had to keep moving until we got to Gudele where we felt safer and sought refuge from friends and relatives. Life has been very difficult here since we are not farming or doing any work to be able to buy food and other things for the family and we have been forced to rely on well-wishers for our daily survival as we wait to return to our homes when the fighting stops.
I am very grateful to African Enterprise for the gifts of food and soap that they have brought us today, we were not expecting it but God heard our cry and sent them to us. I am happy that for the next few days I will not have to worry about food for my children and I am very grateful to African Enterprise for your kindness and love to us.
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Cooper Kruize, an AE supporter, reflects on why he partners with AE and meeting Stephen Lungu.
I was a young man in high school searching for something to fill a hole in my life, God through Stephen and his story, showed me that it wasn’t popularity, influence, respect, or a good time that I was searching for, it was forgiveness and wholeness that only Jesus could bring.
In 2008 I was in year 8, a young man, just over a year into high school and although to all my friends and family on the outside I looked happy, I felt like I was far from it. Since immigrating to Australia in 2001 from South Africa, I have always been someone who has lived in the fast lane of life, chasing the next thing. Whether that be the next race, the next “life experience”, the next “well done” from my coaches”, the next friendship, what every it was, when I got it, it wasn’t enough, I needed more, although I didn’t know it. Until my mum took me along to hear Stephen Lungu’s story one night at Turramurra High School.
From the moment Steven got up from his seat in the front row and walked up the stairs on the side of the stage he had my undivided attention. As Stephen begun to share his story I was absorbed, my heart quickly opened-up and aligned with his, it wasn’t that I had the same life experiences as Stephen, in fact it couldn’t be further from it. Although I don’t think I could have articulated it back then, there was one thing that our stories unmistakably had in common – we had a God shaped hole in our lives and we were trying to fill it with things that could not fit, things that could never satisfy. It was through Stephens story my heart knew what it needed to be satisfied, I needed Jesus, I needed him to forgive me and fill me with life, so that I may live life truly to the full. After the event I went up to Stephen who laid hands on me and prayed for me. It was then that I broke down in tears, I don’t know why I was crying, but all I knew is that they were good tears, it was as if I was crying away the chains that I had been a slave to, I felt free.
It wasn’t till a few year later I was re-acquainted to the work that AE was doing all around the world. I was overjoyed to find out that I was not the only life that God had changed through this ministry. Every year through AE over a million people hear the good news that Jesus gives life, eternal life that our hearts desire. Giving to this ministry is the best investment that I have ever made, I can’t wait to meet all my brothers and sisters from Africa one day in heaven and hear how God used AE to bring them to eternal relationship and life with Jesus.
Emmanuel Yeboah first joined the Ghana Street Children Apprenticeship Program in 2010 just after his mother passed away. Emmanuel had to resort to street trading in order to support his 3 siblings and was unable to finish school.
Emmanuel heard about African Enterprise and the SCAP program from a friend and shortly after he was accepted for the tailoring course.
If you have been supporting and praying for African Enterprise for a long time, you might have even came across a Christmas card that was written by Emmanuel in 2013.
Emmanuel completed his training in 2013 and was able to set up a small workshop at home.
By 2015 Emmanuel had his own shop with 2 industrial machines. Ben Sachie, the Team Leader for AE Ghana, has recently paid a visit to Emmanuel. He still has his shop and is doing well, he even makes the school uniforms for one of the local schools. Here is what Emmanuel recently shared about his time after finishing the program:
“By the space of one year after completing the vocation, I was having so many clients who brought their materials for sewing. It was too much on me that I had to teach my sister how to sew so that she can help me to serve our customers because the demand was very high. One and half years later I had my own shop. I think this is the doing of the Lord. My encounter with African Enterprise has been a blessing to me which I cannot express at all. God is indeed working through them and all their sponsors. I have decided that some time to come I will also give back to society.”
Ben Sachie, AE Ghana Team Leader, wrote the following about Emmanuel:
“Emmanuel is the epitome of hope and encouragement to every young person pursuing his carreer. His way of life, mannerism and character demonstrate his passion to work no matter how conditions become an impediment. His life summarizes a quote from Franklin Roosevelt which states that “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” We will continue to pray for Emmanuel Yeboah that God will help him achieve greater height.”
Thank you for your support and for transforming lives across Africa. Your faithful support of African Enterprise and our programs has helped many like Emmanuel to gain skills and improve their quality of life.
Prayer Point – Pray for Emmanuel Yeboah and all of those who have been through the SCAP program. Pray for doors to be opened for these young adults so they can find employment and better their circumstances.
(Paul and Timothy) went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day. Acts 16:5
Leaders with solid foundations that can hold fast to the Gospel and proclaim it faithfully are needed across the African continent in order for the church to grow. African Enterprise’s Pastor Training Program aims to strengthen and further equip these leaders in the faith so that they in turn can strengthen others.
With our online PTC course being easy accessible and free, we have had people signing up and completing one module after the next during lockdown. Even in countries where we do not have offices, such as Emmanuel from Nigeria.
An ordained Anglican minister, Emmanuel lives in a rural setting near Jos, Plateau State in central Nigeria. Jos has frequently been the scene of inter-tribal and religious tensions. The most recent kidnapping of school children happened 400 km to the north.
Emmanuel has benefited enormously from studying PTC courses by distance and then online.
In his own words:
“I have a great aspiration to be a good teacher of God’s word. Truly speaking I have gained a lot, particularly in the area of missions, evangelism, preaching, teaching and pastoral care.
The benefits are not only limited to me alone, but have been extended to my parishioners as I have started teaching them also, and apparently the Community too is benefiting.
Please kindly extend my profound warm greetings and Peace to your members of staff, entire African Enterprise and the financial contributors who have been supporting this gesture, and making it easy and accessible to people like us, who have the opportunity to study, looking at the part of the world we are.
I must say this again, I am profusely grateful to you and the institution for opportunity given me.”
Thank you for supporting our PTC program and equipping pastors across Africa with knowledge and truth.
We are also excited to announce our new partnership with the Africa Study Bible (ASB).
The ASB aims to be ‘God’s Word Through African Eyes’, and was created to address the reality of life in Africa.
We are privilaged to be able to incorporate their great insights and study notes into the online version of the PTC. This will greatly assist in helping contextualise these notes to the African context. Watch this space for a formal press release coming soon.
If you are currently located in Africa you are eligible for a FREE digital edition of the Africa Study Bible for an entire year. The Africa Study Bible app is now on the Tecarta Bible App, the world’s best study Bible app which is available to download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
PTC prayer points
- Pray that the partnership with ASB will lead to more Christian leaders being strengthened in the faith.
- Pray for our development of online education in Africa (including mission preparation), with grateful thanks to Moore College for the moodle delivery platform.
- Pray for Emmanuel’s ministry to be effective and that he may persevere in a life of godliness.
It is a new year and we have new Foxfire teams across Africa, ready to joyfully and wholeheartedly serve God.
In Malawi the Foxfires were patiently waiting for the schools to open up on the 22nd of February so they can start reaching out to schools and youth groups. The Foxfires in South Africa have started a social media initiative called “Let’s talk” where they share a one minute video each week, speaking God’s truth and encouraging youth through the platform they prefer.
When COVID-19 forced everyone into lockdown, our 4 Foxfire teams were reaching out to friends, family and neighbours during lockdown. Supporting and encouraging others through the difficult time. Not only does Foxfires have a lasting impact on the youth that they reach out to, but being a Foxfire impacts the life of each young adult enrolled in the program.
Precious Owoko recently shared the impact being a Foxfire had on her life. She was a part of the Kenya Foxfires Youth Empowerment Program back in 2018.
“I am Precious Owoko a student currently at Laikipia University in Nyahururu, Kenya, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media. Today I take a short reflection of my tenure during the Foxfires Youth Empowerment Program in 2018 and the impact it has had in my life. I am glad that I gave part of my life to serve my fellow youth. I was effectively prepared to become a better person today. I am never the same!!
Foxfires program prepares one for the youth related ministry within the year and life after the program. It’s an important bridge that greatly equipped me for life in campus. The program fortified me with relevant skills that have enabled me to be focused in life and aim at the goals that I set while serving with AE. My leadership skills were enhanced, fine-tuned and refocused. I was able to discover amazing leadership abilities that I had not thought of. Today I serve the students as the class representative for the communication and media group. I am representing more than 300 students on the relevant meetings. I know that the confidence I portray was cemented in me during the foxfires program.
Foxfires made me esteem the ministry of young people. Once I enrolled in campus, I joined the Christian Union Movement (C.U). I wanted to serve and reach many with the Gospel. The skills of evangelism and discipleship have helped me to be involved in person to person witnessing and other missions aimed at reaching the student leaders. I have also helped in the rebranding of the arts department as a tool of reaching out the youth with skits, drama and dancing. This has greatly helped the Christian union to attract more students thus coming to experience Christ. Today, I am greatly honoured that I am serving the Christian Union as the secretary, a position that I only serve by God’s grace. There were many students who could have been elected to this position but I was favoured by God. My exposure during FYEP, to different youth ministry across Kenya has greatly improved my performance. Communication skills was a critical course in Foxfires that has helped me become better in handling the CU related communication. Recently, I was chosen by different Christian Unions within the Kenyan Central region as the secretary general of consortium of 11 Christian Unions. I can only attribute such as this achievement to AE FYEP.
The daily devotions that involved the reading of the word of God and prayers created in me a discipline of prayer and bible study. Some ask how I manage to keep track of my devotional life, I only share with them my experience in the FYEP.
I have been able to help others who have been in difficult life related issues. The knowledge gained in Foxfires has been a source of wealth that I have constantly used to walk with others. I am happy that I can continue with the ministry of Foxfires even in campus. I am still setting the youth ablaze for Christ!
Today I know how to deal with peer pressure, handle relationships, financial management and saving skills, conflict management, balance between academic and my other roles and other courses handled while in FYEP.
I am proud to have been a Foxfire and to be continuing with the theme of Once a Foxfire, Always a Foxfire. I know supporting FYEP program is making a difference in many. It’s transforming the young people during the tenure and after the program. It’s never in vain.
God bless the Foxfires Youth Empowerment Program.”
Thank you for supporting our Foxfire teams in Africa and for impacting the lives of many young adults.
African Enterprise has been running a ‘Street Children Apprenticeship Program’ in Ghana since 2007. This program has successfully trained hundreds of youth in skills that allowed them to be employed or become entrepreneurs in order to improve their circumstances.
AE Ghana is now excited to kick start this program in Togo in March 2021.
According to the World Happiness Report 2020, Togo is the saddest country in the world. The report ‘ranks cities around the world by their subjective well-being and digs more deeply into how the social, urban and natural environments combine to affect our happiness.’
The SCAP program has proven to be successful in Ghana for many years. Vulnerable children face unimaginable futures of prostitution, rape, crime and juvenile delinquency. AE Ghana therefore regards this opportunity in Togo as an absolute must.
The program will aim to empower youth with skills training to better not only their circumstances but also uplifting and supporting their families and communities.
Research has shown that the following vocations are needed in Togo:
– Dressmaking and Tailoring
– Vegetable Plantation
– Aluminum fabrication and tiling
AE Ghana is reaching out to Church Leaders to identify 50 vulnerable children in their communities. The recruitment will be done without any religious, political or tribal bias. These partner churches are encouraged to begin community transformation groups with the beneficiaries and meet on a regular basis where the students can share ideas, receive counseling and have access to prayer support in order to grow and transform together.
Your gift of $15 a week will support a vulnerable student in the program and help them to acquire skills, get off the streets and provide for their families.
Selorm Dunyo from AE Ghana completed his tailoring apprenticeship and has built up his own client base. He is now a qualified tailor currently building his own shop with the savings he makes. 
“I am very grateful and thankful to God and also to AE Ghana for transforming my life. I can now support my family through the tailoring business. God bless AE and all donors who made it possible for me to come this far. My new challenge is to save enough money to open my own shop so that I can also help or reach out to other street children”.
Support Togo SCAP
