Key People: Patrick and Grace Mulenga
We had three nights in Maputo but unfortunately missed seeing Patrick and Grace as they arrive home next week after being away for nearly a year in Zambia. We spent time with Mumba and Jessica over meals while we were visiting.
On Sunday Mumba took us to the church in Machava compound where Kutwanana is based. After the service we met with the tertiary students and spent time interviewing several of them in two groups, a small group who were alumni and most working, and a larger group of those in the programme or wanting to join it. It was encouraging to hear their stories and see how they are progressing. They seem like a very enthusiastic close-knit group of young people.
The scholarship partnership continues to thrive, and each year it supports around 30 orphaned students who have grown up through their Sunday School and church youth programmes.
Patrick and Grace are in the process of retiring in Zambia. The church has a strong leadership, including Mumba and Delson. There are three elders and a deacon's team so it operates smoothly with Patrick and Grace relinquishing their roles. Delson was one of the students who was sponsored through the programme and he now works. When Patrick and Grace leave, Mumba and Jessica will oversee the Kutwanana ministry with the help of a team from Mchava church.
Mozambique has a high unemployment rate and increasing cost of living.
They have just been through a period of internal political unrest as a result of the election at the end of 2024. A lot of infrastructure was destroyed and businesses looted.
Many large multi-national companies are leaving because of the current political and economic situation. There have been many large-scale job losses.
The home-based care programme continues to provide food and practical support for students who need extra help at home. A small team from the church oversees this ministry and continues to care for families in need. They visit people in need and assess the best way to help them. 25% of the funds sent support this ministry.
The scholarship programme is continuing to do well, with 28 students currently studying at tertiary level.
There are also some exciting new developments. In September, Mumba will begin working with the Sunshine Nut Company as the second-in-charge to Don Larson, an American businessman who has lived in Mozambique for the past 15 years. Don has established three cashew processing factories that export to the US and other international markets. His vision extends well beyond business. He is passionate about helping Mozambicans by creating jobs, investing in communities, building infrastructure and sharing the gospel. He has committed to keeping just 10% of the company’s profits, with the remaining 90% supporting Christian ministry.
One of the company’s biggest challenges is increasing the supply of cashews, so they freely distribute cashew seedlings to local farmers with no obligation to sell the harvest back to the company. Although the trees take about five years to begin producing, they become a valuable long-term source of income for families. Mumba’s new role will involve helping recruit and oversee the business, creating exciting employment opportunities for young people connected with the Kutwanana ministry. There will be technical positions for graduates as well as jobs for those without formal qualifications.
We also asked how graduates from the scholarship programme have been progressing in finding employment. Mumba is currently preparing an update showing where past students are now and hopes to have this completed within the next couple of weeks.
Another encouraging project is the gradual restoration of an old 100-bed Youth for Christ camp. While they do not own the property, they have permission to use it and are renovating it as funds become available. Their hope is to see it become a useful venue for Christian camps, training, and ministry in the years ahead.
75% of the funds sent from BHW are used for the scholarship programme. They do not get a full scholarship, it is partial but is the difference between completing or failing to complete. Some of the students only get transport funds as they attend a particular Government university that is free.
Mumba & Jessica Mulenga
Mumba is Patrick and Grace’s son. He is married to Jessica and they have two children, Rafa (8) and Mica (3).
In September Mumba will be leaving his role as a Business Development Manager with a Chinese telco company to take on a part-time role with the Sunshine Nut Company, while also continuing to work part-time in ministry. This is an exciting move which has the potential to open many opportunities.
Jessica recently began receiving a salary for her work with Community Bible Study (CBS), an international Bible study programme that runs in many countries. After serving as a volunteer for the past eight years, she is now employed in a regional leadership role.
After church on Sunday, we met the students. In one group there were four students who have graduated, and three finishing their third year.
Three of the graduates are working in a job relating to their degree:
- Alberto studied accounting and now manages sales in coffee company.
- Balmera studied Mandarin and is now a translator for a Chinese company.
- Domingo studied computer engineering and now works in computer/electronics maintenance in a water company
- Wilma is finishing her studies in international relations & diplomacy and is looking for a position.
- Alana is in her last year of marketing and public relations.
- Katia is in her last year of finance & management.
- Falsia studied early childhood education last year, and is still looking for a job
They are all aware that they need to encourage and help others in the church. They are thankful for the support from BHW as they would not be where they are if it were not for the scholarship programme.
We also met for a general discussion with a larger group of about 20 young people, four were finishing secondary school, five were hoping to join the programme and in the process of applying, and the others were in the programme. It was interesting to hear the types of subjects they are studying, their aspirations and challenges. They are such a lovely bunch of young people and inspired by the older ones who have been though the programme and are now employed. Their ages ranged from 15 through to 26 years.
The subjects they are studying are accountancy, agronomy, chemical engineering (2), environmental resource management, general medicine (2), geography (teacher), information technology (3), journalism, mechanical engineering, psychology, social science, statistics and topography. Most are in their third or fourth year so are coming to the end of their studies.
The students all acknowledged that without the programme they had no hope of a decent education or decent employment. Some thought they would be roaming the streets, hopeless like the majority of young people in urban Mozambique.
They love the youth group and the support they get from being part of it. They meet every Saturday, as well as church on Sundays. Many are involved in children’s ministry. They were recently very encouraged to go to their first youth camp.
Mumba has been invited to work with Don Larsen at Sunshine Nut Company. He has been asked to facilitate and develop a Christian component to the business in the communities they source product from and where they have factories. The plan is that as the business grows, it will create several jobs into the future on a regular basis. Mumba has freedom to hire people when required and his intention is to prepare Kutwanana young people to go into roles with the company.
Mumba is preparing a review of all the people who have gone through the scholarship programme with their names, qualifications, where they are now and what they are doing. We will add it to this report when it comes.
The single biggest concern for the students is the lack of employment opportunities. Unfortunately, Patrick began this programme by just sending kids to university and not for more practical training. We talked to Mumba about broadening the training to other trades and sectors. He understands this but the bar has been set high for those wanting to join the programme. We discussed the need to be more directive in terms of what the young people should train to become.
An associated issue is that there are very few internship opportunities now as the economy retracts. Obtaining work experience is almost impossible.
Several of the young people live in difficult communities where there is a lot of drug abuse and alcohol addiction. This creates disturbances and pressure for Christian young people. One boy lives above a bar and there is constant noise.
As Christians they get mocked, especially at university. One girl is called pastor because she won’t get into what the others do. So, she removes herself from what they are doing.
1) They are thankful that they have very few young people who fail in their studies and fall away.
2) The new employment opportunities with the Sunshine Nut Company through Mumba.
3) They are very thankful for the help of BHW through Kutwanana. They want to help others when they are in a position to do so.
4) They are thankful to be Christians and not have the burden of their sin. Their lives feel light now in comparison to before.
With Mumba and Jessica moving into leadership, there is a new future emerging with more opportunity for self-sustainability. The connection with the cashew nut company could be a great initiative as there are plans to grow the company and there will be an ongoing need for more employees with the right training, not all degrees.
The annual budget is to remain the same currently.