Look what the Lord can do - the story of Ntombi Nkweba
Thulisa Madonci – now studying in Bermuda
Alfred Gcilitshana – currently on staff at Eagles Rising as personal
assistant to the CEO and caregiver / teacher
Look what the Lord can do - the story of Ntombi Nkweba
“I grew up in a 3 room shack up with my mother, father, two sisters, and my cousin. I passed my Matric in 2001 with difficulties, like going to bed without any food in the stomach. I worked myself out during those two years, working night, day and double shifts just put food on the table and pay my sister’s school fees. “In 2003, I got saved in the name of Jesus. Then in 2004 I started studying at Cape Technikon, towards a Public Management Diploma while I still worked night shifts at various restaurants to have a train ticket to get to school. “In 2007, since I could not find a job then I applied to go to Eagles Rising and in God’s Grace I was accepted. First of all, they gave me my space, like a room and my own bed which I never had before. They showed and gave me love because they would hug me every now and again. This was a little bit weird to me. I mean a white person hugging a black child and they were not my parents. “At Eagles Rising I learnt how to serve God through people, animals, and an environment. I learnt how to respect other’s privacy, cultures, personalities, and characters. I learnt how to speak English properly, a proper way of eating in public, restaurants and around the table using fork and knife. There are lot of things I learnt there and if I could write all of them and about them, the ink would be finished so I’d rather stop. The staff at Eagles Rising made us realize that God is always watching 24/7 and whatever we do, we do it for Him, and it is not about us but about Him. “I am now working for the Provincial Treasury as an Intern. I monitor, evaluate and implement the various Departments’ budgets. I meet with diverse people here everyday but thanks to Eagles Rising, they taught me manners and respect and being patient.”
Back to top ^
Thulisa Madonci – now studying in Bermuda
Eagles Rising Christian Training Centre has meant a lot to me! It has provided a huge stepping stone for me towards my future. I grew up in the very impoverished township of Khayelitsha, where you are constantly surrounded by negative talk ,by violence and just poverty. As a young person you begin to think that life has nothing good and encouraging for you. By Christ’s grace I came to a Christian Training Centre where I obtained many skills that changed my mind from what I thought life was about. Skills such as Communication (how to conduct yourself among individuals from different cultures), Computer skills (where I gained efficient knowledge on how to work with computers). The most important teachings for me were those where I was taught about the Word of God that has led me to my spiritual maturity. During the lectures on the word of God I realised who I am in Christ and who He is to me as a Father and not just a God. During a period of just one year I have seen the Lord’s favour upon my life, how He has enabled me to grow spiritually, mentally, physically and socially. Every lecture I have had at Eagles Rising made me grow in so many aspects of my life, and I sincerely thank God for that. I have been blessed by Christ for the fact that both my parents are Christians. This of course made me believe that good things would come my way because I came to an institution where worshiping God is the most important asset to the staff and the students. This, of course, created hope in me. Eagles Rising has exposed me to so many positive teachings about abilities and talents that I possess and I was not thoroughly aware of. I realised that I have a gifting for public speaking, which is one of the greatest fears that most people have. So many of my dreams have come true during my bridging year. I developed spiritually, I grew in who I am as a person and also realized what career path I wanted. As a young person it is very hard to know what you want out of life, but I must honestly say that after spending just a year at Eagles Rising Training Centre I have a clear mindset in terms of knowing what I want and what really matters the most to me. My priority is my relationship with Jesus Christ, knowing my career interest and thirdly working hard to achieve my dreams. I have always wanted to fly on an airplane and go overseas and by Gods grace that has happened twice in one year! My plan was to first obtain a higher education and then to work for five years to save enough money to travel. But God had good plans for me – plans I could not even fathom. I am now studying abroad in Bermuda! I thank God and also thank the committed staff members at the Training Centre.
Back to top ^
Alfred Gcilitshana – currently on staff at Eagles Rising as personal
assistant to the CEO and caregiver / teacher
“I was born in rural Eastern Cape, one of the poorest provinces of South Africa. I come from a family of 8. I had a very rough life growing up – physical abuse, substance abuse and constant trauma characterized my childhood. At the age of 12, my parents separated because of the constant abuse and we moved to Cape Town. I could not finish high school, due to financial problems. With extreme poverty in the house, I felt compelled to find a job at the age of 18 to support my sisters and my mom. I started at a salon and earned R50 (US$8) per week. After a year I got a job at the city where I earned R400 (US$50) a week. “In a city that has one of the highest crime rates in the world, living in a township was a tough life. I saw no way out of that. Most of my friends died in gang fights and of substance abuse. My life expectancy was about 25. Circumstances were so tough that even your Christian life had no hope. ”The Fulltime bridging Program was a time of restoration for me. Through the curriculum and the way they parented us, I spent most of my days weeping. I was exposed to emotions in me that I did not know I had buried so deep. It was quite a challenge to know how broken and robotic I was. I had learned not to feel things. But Eagles Rising was a safe place for me to let go. I became the child I was never allowed to be. I learned it was okay to cry; it was okay to be comforted and to be told that I am loved. It was also a fun time! The first six months of that year was the best time of my life. It was like a pillar for the rest of my life. “I was employed by Eagles Rising after six months on the bridging programme, as the PA of the CEO. Currently I am also helping with teachings, I manage the sports department and am happily married to Nwabisa! I never thought I would marry a woman from the community I came from, because young girls in my community are often so victimized and abused. I found a treasure in the midst of a broken community. “Through Eagles Rising and the salary I receive I am able to help my family back home. I helped them build a brick house, which was a big breakthrough for the family, because we lived in a tin shack. Winter has always been my worst enemy because of Cape Town’s infamous rainy season. The shack is always wet and sleep is near impossible. Eagles Rising is a beacon of hope to me, looking at our nation. Looking at how the young people here are impacted by the programme, I see a model that can be duplicated to be effective in helping youth in our nation. ”
Back to top ^