Meet Tshepo
Tshepo is a young man who is a father, caregiver and provider. Tshepo is highly motivated and willing to learn. Hope of Africa introduced him to Foundations for Farming as he served as an intern with us, even though he wasn’t sure he was interested in farming at first. For the past two years, Tshepo has been apprenticing and studying in Zambia with a well known Agriculture program and mentor.
It was difficult for Tshepo to leave his family behind to go to a different country that speaks a different language and culture. But even though it was a significant challenge, it did not hinder Tshepo’s focus on what his goal was. His Foundations for Farming mentors helped Tshepo understand that to grow, you need to get out of your comfort zone and do things that are hard. They also taught him to allow God to work through him, allowing God to use him and never resist, always having room to learn.
Hope of Africa loaned Tshepo transportation costs, school fees, and pocket money every month during his two years of school. He has graduated from the agriculture program and is now able to fully manage veggies, chickens, pigs, and a fruit tree nursery with budding and grafting. Tshepo loves Jesus and plans to use these talents to serve his community. He will pay it forward by repaying his school loan with his business profits and working with Hope of Africa. This will allow Hope of Africa to give this same privilege to the next motivated students.
During his two years at school, Tshepo was equipped well and grew closer to God. Tshepo is now overseeing our youth who have gardens and church champions doing farming. He is also teaching village youth in the community who want to stabilize their unemployed families by growing food at home organically. We are so thankful for Tshepo!
