Berlin Literacy Programme

The following is a perspective from Ms N.Tyewu:

During 2000 the Berlin Literacy Program, which is the part of Berlin Advice Centre, wrote to our community of Ezinkomeni. They explained that they needed one young woman to be trained as preparation to be an Educator. I was selected by the community to be that person.

After training I conducted Adult Basic Education classes in my community until 2003. During that period I qualified as an Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Educator through the one year certificate from the University of South Africa (UNISA). .

In 2003 the funds for ABET dried up. Around the same time, I started to feel sick and was advised at the clinic to test for HIV. I did. I tested positive. The Co-ordinator of the ABET Section at that time was Nkosinathi Mhambi who we regarded as a parent, brother, friend and counselor, so I trusted him. I told him my status. He was not shocked but simply told me that he would do the best he could to help me.

I was first successfully assisted to apply for a grant which I received for the period of a year. My condition improved. Since then whenever there was a workshop about HIV and AIDS it was recommended that I should represent the organisation. That exposure helped me cope as I received regular positive information about how to live positively with my HIV status.

Other members of my family went to get tested. My sister also tested HIV positive, together with her four children. She died in that same year and her family was destitute. The Berlin Advice Centre organised for the funeral arrangements.

During 2004 the Department of Public Works advertised a construction course for women. The course included bricklaying, plastering, painting and decoration. The Berlin Advice Centre assisted me to do the training and I completed the six month course.

During 2005 I was assisted to register for a two-year learnership for constructors. The learnership needed engineers. I took a chance with my construction qualification and applied. I was selected for the learnership.

Presently, I am appointed as a contractor to drive a pilot sanitation project for the Umntlabathi village. I am building forty-one toilets for the households in that village. Nineteen people are working under my supervision, seven men and twelve women. I am building the toilets according to specification and my work is inspected and approved.

After completion of this project I will be posted to Mdantsane to erect sidewalks (pavements), after which I will return to the class for the theory. Then the next pilot project will be to construct a tarred road (civil engineering).

My goal is to have my own building construction company which also hires building machinery to other start-up builders. Thank you