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Click on the 2003 student below to go directly to his profile, or scroll down. |
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| Salim Kapalala | Abel Musonda |
| Zephaniah Banda | Brian Masumba |
| Kennedy Chilishe | Kelvin Chirwa |
| Assen Mbulo | Nelson Nyirenda |
| Victor Mwangala | James Zimbili |
| Avis Chipalimali | Noel Kaluba |
| Andrew Litana | Akabondo Situmbeko |
| Ason Tonga | |
I, Salim Kapalala, was born in 1982. We are eight in our family, which consists of mother, father, three sisters and three brothers. I am the first born son. When I completed my Grade 12 in Dec 2000 I also received my Grade 12 school certificate. I stayed at home for about 2 years without doing anything, only committed with some church programmes, which kept me busy. What I wanted to do most was just mechanics, nothing else, because this was my everyday dream ever since I was a child.
I went looking for a place in some colleges here in Zambia. the places were there, but the fees they were asking me to pay were just too high. My father couldn’t afford to pay because he was sponsoring so many people, including uncles and aunties who were staying with us.
Until God gave Mr. and Mrs. Watt such a brilliant idea to open this college with such affordable fees.
Here I am now at Mechanics For Africa, enjoying my studies with a free mind. We have highly qualified lecturers in all areas. We are learning so many things here, not only Mechanics, but also life skills which include, health, basic computers, agriculture and spiritual guidance, in which we learn about God, our Creator.
I love the people at M.F.A., they are quite co-operative, both students and lecturers. When I finish my course successfully I would like to work for a big company, but here in Zambia jobs are difficult to find, because most of the big companies have closed. I hope to be able to be open a small workshop.
I would like to conclude in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Watt and all the MFAZ trustees for this wonderful idea of opening this college. May God Bless you all in whatever you are doing.
I want to become a mechanic because this has been the desired career in my life. The dream of becoming an Engineer or Technician in the field after college was my prayer.
From the time I completed school, I have not been to any college due to financial problems because even the colleges both outside and within the country are expensive. But God answered the prayer to give us an opportunity at Mechanics For Africa.
I want to take this course because of the following reasons. Firstly it is because of my career, secondly I have much interest in the course, and lastly it will be beneficial to my family, other people and myself. Nowadays, life is difficult. If you have got no trade whereby people can recognise you, then life becomes hard. Trained people will make others to be like them and encourage where necessary. This brings progress in the country. Therefore, if I train at this college then I will be a good mechanic and teach many others and encourage them to train.
During my childhood and teenage when I was at school, I desired being a mechanic. Some school subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Geography and Technical Drawing made my interest in mechanics even more.
In 1987, I completed my grade 12. After my father passed away in June that year, our family life was very difficult, but I committed myself to do carpentry that I learnt from school. This was in order to make our family survive. In 1988, I decided to get married when my mother became sick for almost 6 months and I was busy looking for our family income so I had no time to nurse my mother and do some cooking activities.
Although living as it was, my mind and interest was being a mechanic but there were no possible solutions until now when the grace of God has come through you the college administrators who accepted me to become a student at Mechanics for Africa, which seems to be like a dream to my life.
I believe and hope in the Lord Jesus to bless us with a well being and understanding to complete the two years and graduate so that we may use the trained skill to assist our families, community and our fellow Christians.
May the lord bless you more that you may continue to help his people.
First and foremost, I would like to give thanks to my Good Lord for he is the one who knows my plans to prosperity in everything I do.
Doing Mechanics is like a dream come true to me, this is the course I was dreaming about since my childhood and I am happy that I am one of Mechanics for Africa students. It is my privilege that Mechanics to me is not something that has just come in my mind but something which was planned by God, as it is written in the book of Jeremiah 29:11 (For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. NRSV). Not only do I like the job but it will also give me a future employment.
However, Mechanics For Africa (Zambia) is providing us with first class tuition and the members of staff are giving as a caring hand. I am facing problems when it comes to notes. The time that we are given at the college is too short to write notes in regards to the subjects we have.
This is all I have to say about the college.
I was born in 1973 in Luanshya and I come from a family of six. My parents got divorced when I was four years old. My father married again, but me and my brother and sisters could not live with my stepmother who was harsh on us, because she did not want to keep another woman's children. Dad was even worse, because he and my mother had gone through a difficult and terrible divorce.
So in 1979 we left my fathers’ house and went to live with my mother. I started going to school the following year(1980). Life at times seemed quite normal. Mother used to take us to church, where we attended Sunday school. Well to cut a long story short the Word of God meant nothing to me at all.
I finished Primary level in 1987 and went on to Secondary school. At school I came under peer pressure from my fellow pupils and that is where my life took a complete negative turn. We started smoking cigarettes, then when that lost its excitement, we went on to marijuana. But I found this stuff too strong or me, so I decided to try beer. At first the dizziness really put me off and I was sick for almost three days. Well, my friends started teasing me, saying I was a weakling and mocking me, saying I could not become a man. They were saying that every man should have tried some or all of these things. By this time my mother was aware of my changed behaviour, because I started stealing and using abusive language. She really tried to correct me but it was in vain. I grew so rebellious that my sisters and brothers started to avoid me and eventually all communications just broke down.
I dropped out of school because my mother could not afford to pay the fees, but I think that it was mainly due to my drinking habits that made her lose all hope and confidence in me. I was on my own and didn’t have to listen to anyone’s advice. I could do anything I wanted and so joined up with a group of dropouts and started having drinking marathons. We would start at daybreak and drink till we could drink no more. dead drunk!!! It was at this stage that I started realising that my habits had grown from bad to worse and a feeling of rejection started to creep into my life. I felt that nobody wanted me and nobody needed me. I was helpless…. beyond Salvation. I felt sad and angry and the only relief I had was when I was drunk. I was trapped, hopelessly and miserably trapped.
As it always happens in situations like these, the heart is full of remorse and it becomes difficult for God to speak to that person spiritually. Speaking from experience I found myself thinking of unholy things. My mind was so polluted that even if God spoke to me, I wouldn’t have heard him. It so happened that I met someone who was a worker during the beginning of the MFA project. He told me that the project was for anyone (which included both young and old), and that qualifications did not matter as long as one could speak and write English. I decided to try my luck and got an application form. As I read the questions, they really hit me hard. Questions like: Are you a Christian? Do you go to church? And the final blow was Do you drink or smoke? It was these last questions that nearly made me give up. I knew that I could not hide or lie about these things because they had become my character and habits. So I knew I had to be honest and up till now I don’t know what made me do that.
Well, I got accepted at the college and the first thing I realised was that I knew very little about the Word of God. In fact I felt alien, because I knew that I had bad habits with which I was still struggling. As if in answer to my prayer, Mr. and Mrs Watt started following my progress, both in the mechanics studies and the spiritual guidance, but I could sense that they were more concerned about my personal life. This gave me a renewed hope that maybe someone after all did care and it was after a few more counselling sessions that I realized it was going to take more than Mr. and Mrs. Watt to make me break my drinking habit. I realised that I needed to accept Jesus Christ as my saviour. He could set me FREE. I did so and I have found that I have stopped so many of my bad habits that sometimes I wonder why so many of my years were wasted for nothing. I still find myself tempted to drink, but I have realised that as with every habit it is very difficult to overcome it in one year, especially if you have had it for ten to twelve years. I hope with commitment and encouragement I can overcome the obstacles. Most of all it is the Word of God, the bible, that is really the bottom line. Without it we were lost because “We are not human beings with spiritual experience, but spiritual beings with human experiences". So our spirits can be changed, but our physical bodies will remain the same.
Mechanics has been my career since junior secondary school and I have always wanted to study it. I just developed interest in motor vehicles because of my uncle who was a mechanic. I have to say that I like mechanics to the extent that I do not want to end at diploma level. I wish to advance mechanics here in Africa or elsewhere when more new opportunities come along my way.
The other good thing about mechanics is that in Africa (especially Zambia) there is no employment and as a mechanic I can work on my own and earn a living even without being employed by any company. But that is not the main reason why I want to be a mechanic. I also wish to be the best mechanic by competing with other people.
If I personally can be the best mechanic in Zambia, then I can make a very big difference to the Zambian nation just like being the best doctor. This is because if many people have imported vehicles which they cannot repair or rather vehicles with high technology, they can come to me instead of going to Japan, China or elsewhere to get a mechanic.
Since my childhood I have
always wanted to become an engineer or a mechanic. When I completed Senior
Secondary education I tried to go into College to do mechanics, but due to
financial constraints this was not possible. My father, who was supporting me,
went bankrupt. As a result of this I had to find a job in order to support my
father and my three young brothers, who were still in school.
At one
point, when I was
working, I applied to a Technical College to study mechanical engineering. I was
accepted, but because I was the one paying for my brothers’ school fees, I had
to turn down this opportunity and instead I continued to work. After the
bank I was working for closed down its rural branches, I
was laid off
After staying for a year
without working, I underwent a lot of hardships and I was just a year in
marriage. I tried to do some business of trading, but was shocked when the
vehicle carrying my goods caught fire and all my goods got burnt with the
vehicle.
In January
2003, three years since I lost my job, God spoke to me in prayer one night
to go to college to do mechanics. I put down this idea as I thought about high
college fees. In the morning I met someone who told me about a new college called
Mechanics For Africa, and that the college was enrolling its first students. I rushed to the college only to find that the class was full.
Mrs. Watt, the
college administrator said that one student had not reported and that if it was
God’s will I was going to be given the place, if the student would not report
within a week. I waited for about a week and then I received a message to say
that I was wanted at the college.
I am married with a daughter,
and I am the first born in our family.
My full name is Victor M. Mwangala. I was born on the 27th February 1977. I am the eighth (8th) born in the family of 7 boys and 4 girls all living with mum and dad in the village. As a family, we lived an average Christian life my father and mother both congregate in the United Church in Zambia so do I and my brother and sisters. I started school in 1985 at Mkushi Primary School in the Central Province of Zambia and later went to Mkushi Secondary School. Thereafter, my parents retired and I was transferred to Kaoma Secondary School as a boarder where I finished my grade 12 in 1997.
As a small boy, I had so much interest in technical things especially vehicles. Together with my late brother, we had the same ambition of wanting to become mechanics one day. Since 1997, I had no opportunity to be accepted into any of the Zambian colleges, especially that my dad did not have enough money to pay for both my brother and I. My brother was accepted to study Auto Mechanics at Lukashya Trades Training Institute though it was so expensive. God was with him until he graduated. I decided to stay, maybe I should try in towns, so I wrote a letter to my uncle whom I am staying with right now asking if I could stay with him in town, and he accepted. I again started looking for school until I found a part time job as a casual worker for Excel Textile Mills (Fabric Manufacturers) where I worked for one year.
Whilst working there, I heard about this college Mechanics For Africa Zambia (MFAZ). I started seeking for a place and fortunately enough I was accepted to be one of the students. I feel so happy to be here and that the Lord has answered my prayer. I am happy that not only am I learning mechanics but also knowing more about Jesus Christ in spiritual guidance. We are also learning how to take care of our families in case of sicknesses and diseases in the life skills. I feel that one day as a mechanic, I will be able to save lives of people in many different ways. I want to become a true mechanic to save the lives of people, to help my family and the community at large.
I thank God for this.
My name is Nelson Danny Makungu Nyirenda. I was born on 14th July 1978 in Kitwe (Kitwe Central Hospital). I am the first-born in a family of eight; I have six sisters and one brother who is the last-born. Both my parents are alive.
I started school in 1984 at Northrise Primary School here in Ndola. I then went to Kitwe where I did my junior secondary level at Nkana Secondary School. I qualified to grade ten and was sent to Chizongwe Secondary Technical School in Eastern Province of Zambia where I did my senior secondary level until I completed grade 12.
Upon completion of my school, I had no chance of going for further studies due to financial difficulties hence I was helping my family in farming until the Lord answered my prayer. I was awarded a place at Mechanics for Africa (Zambia) to study mechanics the course which I have been dreaming of for the past years. At this college, I am able to feel the real person whom God wanted to be. I didn’t expect that my ambition could come true because my dream is to become the first Zambian to design a motor vehicle.
It is a big challenge in my life to be at the college because I will be able to learn not only mechanics but life skills that will held me build my future and give good to my community as well as my family.
My great thanks to the almighty God for the opportunity He has given me to be at MFAZ. I look forward to learning more.
Avis Chipalimali is my name. Born on 24th March 1973, I am married to Roydah and we have two daughters; Cleopatra (3) and Blessings (6 months).
I want to be trained in Motor vehicle mechanics, as this was what I always wanted. It was simply a dream and I decided to share it. I was advised to start working towards the same and to get any job, which was to assist me in raising the necessary funds for the course. Although I was working and earning a bit of some money, it was not enough to sustain the family as well as save for school. Despite the hardships I never lost hope. I was advised to do a course in Bricklaying, which was to be paid for by somebody, but I did not accept the offer because it was not the course I wanted.
I could not go to any colleges because of high fees. High fees in colleges are usually what cause every young man and woman to be failures. Somebody would want to do a desired course but due to high fees he/she would end up doing something to no interest.
I came to Mechanics for Africa (Zambia) because I shared my dream of becoming a mechanic and through this I was recommended by people I was working for as a gardener for 5 years. Looking at my struggle and seeing the fulfilment of my dream, I cannot say I am lucky, but I have to give thanks to God because it was God's plan that I am here at MFAZ and may Glory and Honour be to him.
James Zimbili is my name; I was born on 13th November 1981. I am the fourth born in the family of eight. I started grade one in Luanshya at Mwaiseni Private School and I completed my secondary school in 2001 at Chililabombwe High School.
My dreams and interest started when I was just young. When I was asked about my career, my response was "mechanics". I gained more interest when dad bought a car. I used to assist the mechanics who used to come to repair our car. It has always been my prayer to God until God answered in 2002 when I was accepted at Mechanics for Africa.
I am very glad to be at this college because I am learning a lot of things like life skills, Hygiene, Safety and to be friendly to one another. And it is very interesting that the college has qualified lecturers and the college is offering a Diploma in Mechanics.
Many thanks to Mr & Mrs Watt for accepting me as a student at Mechanic for Africa. May God richly bless them.
My name is Andrew Litana. I was born in 1971. I am a married person with 3 children. My parents are both Christians. Dad is a pastor while my mother is a womens’ leader. I was brought up by my parents in a Christian way. When I reached the age of 15 years, I started drinking beer and taking some drugs. I didn’t concentrate much on beer because my father could know when I am drunk and beer is expensive. So I decided to take drugs because it is cheap and it does not smell. I used to smoke 5 times a day, something like marijuana. I was used to it and I couldn’t do anything without having some of it.
When I joined MFAZ I was still taking these things. The Marijuana used to make me sharp in class I had good results. I was not thinking to stop smoking or drinking beer, especially smoking. Mr. and Mrs Watt were very open to me and to all the students. We had to meet them individually to share some problems and to be prayed for. We shared the Word of God. they helped with some chapters relating to problems I had. They told me that God is good and that nothing is impossible with him. You will be relaxed and it is true that I am saved by the mercy of the Lord. My prayer is that the Good Lord who made it possible for me to be at MFAZ may continue to guide and show me the way always.
I am Noel Kaluba, born on 20th October 1978 in Ndola Central Hospital. I am the only boy in the family of five. I started my primary education in 1986 and then I wrote my grade seven examinations and was selected to grade 8 in 1993. I finished my junior secondary in 1994.
I started going to church when I was about 7 years. I started with Sunday School until in 1994 when I was baptized in the United Church of Zambia, Ndola North Congregation. So from that testimony I have received Jesus Christ as my personal saviour because he died for my sins.
Since I completed my senior secondary level, I never had any opportunity or access to go to college due to financial difficulties hence I resorted to helping my parents in farming. During my childhood, I grew up admiring the mechanics job and I was dreaming about it as well as praying very hard for it until in 2002 when I was told by a fellow friend that there was a college which was to be opened in 2003.
I obtained the form and filled in all the necessary details required.
I think I chose Mechanics for Africa (Zambia) because it is the only college offering favourable conditions compared to any other institutions.
Many thanks should go to the Watts for initiating this project and that may the Almighty God bless them.
My name is Ason Tonga. I was born on 1st January 1982 in Ndola Central Hospital. I started my Grade 1 at Ndola Main Primary School in 1990.Thereafter I qualified to Grade 8 at Lubuto High School in 1996.That is where I did both my Junior and Senior Secondary education. I obtained a School Certificate. By then I was twenty years old. I couldn’t do anything because my parents never had money to take me to college. I was just staying at home, sometimes helping my parents in the field. I was also going to church every weekend. I was praying day and night and our Almighty God answered my prayers by opening M.F.A.Z. college, which is a charitable organisation. I am thanking God for that I have been accepted at M.F.A.Z where I am doing my mechanics. I am working hard and praying hard, because this is the only chance I have. I am looking forward to be specialised in all types of vehicles.
After finishing my course, I would like to open up my own garage or work abroad, that is out of Africa or with Africa but not in Zambia. If anything I would like to go for further studies and become a Lecturer of Mechanics Motor Vehicle engineering.
My Name is Akabondo Situmbklo I was born in 1977, I am a
single man as at the moment.
I see God's hand up on me, to allow me to be at the MFAZ college. My interest in mechanics has developed steadily over the years. But to find an affordable college to fulfil my dream was impossible for me. When I have heard about MFAZ I saw a hope for my dreams to come true.
I am very much looking forward to be able to repair vehicles of different kinds. Also to be in the position to be able to support myself and my community.
I am also very much interested in knowing how vehicles are built, I do hope to be able to gain more knowledge in all my interest in motor mechanics.