Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
ANGELWOOD Training Centre intends to open campuses in rural areas of Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province as part of its efforts to equip local communities, especially the youth with skills to economically empower themselves.
The institution which is still in its infancy, is offering courses in certified healthcare including advanced nurse assistance, vocational training, counselling, office manning and occupational health and safety management among others.
The duration of the courses is six months, three of which are dedicated to industrial attachments.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent graduation of 25 nurse aides and counsellors, Angelwood Training Centre director, Mr Moses Banda said in line with the Second Republic agenda of leaving no one and place behind, the institution is spreading its wings to rural communities in Matabeleland North.
“We have programmes in Dete and Victoria Falls where we have also been enrolling and we plan to establish more branches around Matabeleland North province. In 2024, we are looking forward to penetrating other areas where we have the youths with limited chances of accessing us in Hwange,” he said.
“We intend to go there and empower them, some are school dropouts while others have completed their O-level studies, but due to lack of financial support they have not been able to go further with their education. So, we are moving in to afford them that chance by setting up centres in their locality.”
Mr Banda said they are targeting mostly youths in rural areas as part of economically empowering them.
He said the organisation had trained over 100 people since its establishment in 2022 with students doing their industrial attachment at local hospitals and companies.
Mr Banda said the placement of their students in rural health institutions such as Lukosi Hospital is positively impacting the communities as information on health issues is easily cascaded.
“So we have memoranda of understanding with most institutions which allow us to send our students for attachments. However, we have a strong presence at rural health institutions where our students get exposed to communities,” he said.
“Their presence there helps these institutions fill the gap of staff shortage and given the background of the Covid-19 pandemic, the moment we started training it has helped so many communities in terms of hygiene.”
Mr Banda, who co-founded Angelwood Training Centre with his wife Angela Phiri, said setting up the institution was in response to a need to empower disadvantaged communities.
“One of the important things that pushed us to start this organisation is the fact that I went through these professions and they made me discover my calling. I do it with passion and strongly believe that I’m gifted to empower especially the youth and the less-privileged,” he said.
Mr Banda said the courses they are offering were designed to empower the youths whose lives are disrupted by substance and drug abuse among other social ills.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the sister-in-charge of Lukosi Hospital, Sister Bheki Sibanda commended Angelwood Training Centre for contributing towards the health delivery system.
One of the graduates, Ms Sandra Phiri (22) who graduated with a certificate in advanced nursing assistance, said she would use the knowledge gained to contribute to her community.
“I’m excited about this certification which I have so long waited for. I want to use the knowledge I have gained to contribute positively towards the health delivery system, particularly in my rural area,” she said.
“This course has also enabled me to be employable as I now possess a professional qualification.”
Another graduate, Mr Courage Siamuloba who completed a course in occupational health and safety management lauded the institution for offering breakthrough programmes to youth and school leavers.
Ms Constance Nobuhle Ncube (21) who is visually impaired obtained a certificate in counselling.
“My completion of this course in counselling is important to me as it proves that disability should not mean inability. I faced discrimination during my early days, but that all changed as I became more determined and now my peers are supportive,” she said.
“I would like to thank my mother who stood by me throughout the difficult and challenging times including my tutors who showed patience and believe in me.”
derick.khumalo