07-02-09
By Kanyanta
We have followed with interest the progress of work on the land. The dedication of work, care, and devotion that has gone into this project so far has been phenomenal. Everyone has heard numerous reports of how well the chickens and bananas are coming along. We have seen pictures of this, read, and heard animated tales from various people; Undeniably foremost from Dr. Zimba. The completion of the student’s dormitories was an important milestone and the students now living on ‘The Land’ have been witnessing firsthand the impressive progress.
So after constantly hearing reports, students and staff finally got a taste (literally) of The Land’s produce. A collective of approval swept the dining hall after the food was blessed and lunch revealed, served alongside the meal a pair of plump, mouth-watering bananas. If the ruminating jaws were anything to go by, we were all incredibly glad The Land is so successful. It is really an incredible thing that what began as a mare project has today began to supplement to our diet. Both students and members of staff are actually being fed but what we have only been hearing of by word of mouth, as a project, today it is a reality. Northrise University- being excellent at what is good.
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06-30-09
By Duke
It was in early February 2008 that the initial pilot project to plant bananas on a 2 hectare stretch of land on Northrise Farms began. A lot of work has gone into ensuring that the initial suckers became what are now banana plants. According to Bob, the farm foreman, the bananas, which are of the Cavendish William variety, were actually planted off-season. This has a certain drawback in that the suckers are more difficult to maintain during this time of year due to the effect that the cold weather, which comes after February, has on the plants.
This off-season planting however was not something not thought about. It is because of the very off season planting that one year 4 months later the bananas are ready for sell and are highly on demand on the Ndola market because most farmers of bananas do not have the fruit during this time of season. The once bare 2-hectare piece of land on the Northrise farm is now flourishing with bananas that are ready to be sold. It has been a long time of dedicated nurturing of the plants by the Northrise farm workforce in which a lot of lessons have been learnt. These lessons are important as Northrise continues to strive to move towards self-sustenance. Bob has mentioned that the future plan is to have banana plants from which Northrise Farms will be able to harvest all year round. This will enable the farm to meet the demand on the Ndola market for the banana fruit.
Individual workers on the farm have also acquired skills that they previously did not posses. In essence, Northrise continues to empower the community through capacity building as well as a supply of healthy supplements to the diet. Not many average Zambians can afford fruits to supplement their diets. Northrise’s goal is to continue to empower the community of Ndola and change the Zambian economic landscape through this empowerment.
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06-29-09
By Duke
Dr. Tom Wolthuis arrived in Ndola Zambia on the 20th June 2009. It is his first time visiting Ndola let alone Zambia, Africa. Dr. Tom Wolthuis is a qualified instructor at Dordt College lecturing in the school of Divinity. He is part of the academic exchange program that Northrise University has engaged in with Dordt College. He has traveled from the USA to come and share his knowledge of New Testament Theology to the students at Northrise who are pursuing their degree in Theological studies.
For the next six weeks, Dr Tom, as we have all fondly come to call him partly because his last name is very difficult for most of us to pronounce, will be meeting with students of Theology for three days in a week and they will take a journey in New Testament Theology. Dr. Tom is a man who is keen to share and teach what he knows but more interesting is his eagerness to learn all he can about Africa, Zambia in particular and our way of life. So far he attests that he has had a great time in class and even intimated to Moffat that this is what college teaching should be like. The students are engaging and even though his class runs for only two hours some students have been heard expressing the fact that it would be interesting to run for even three. This is really a thrilling experience for both student and lecturer.
Dr. Tom has been sharing his experience of Africa and Northrise University through his blog and he hopes that the next time he comes over maybe his wife could come along so she can also bless the students with the knowledge she has in IT. Dordt College is fully committed to this newfound partnership with Northrise University and so are we. As we grow as a University so will the academic exchange program.
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06-24-09
By Banji Simasiku
Graham Dangerfield sits on the Northrise University council and is treasury of the Northrise Australia Initiative (NAI) board. He arrived in Ndola on Sunday, 21st June, and is meeting with Northrise University for about a week to elaborate objectives concerning projects that Northrise University has undertaken with NAI. This is his first visit to Northrise.
Northrise University has embarked on various projects that all center on empowering the marginalized and disadvantaged youth in Zambia by providing educational skills, vocational skills and community advancement opportunities. And accordingly, apart from seeing and experiencing the progress of Northrise University for himself, Mr. Dangerfield is also here to talk about project reporting requirements for NAI. Some of these projects include capacity building, poultry farming and abattoirs, brick making, and scholarship programs. He also hopes to establish links between the Northrise University staff with volunteers who have academic or vocational know-how in Australia.
Asked what his impression of Northrise is so far, he says he is very impressed at how well organized the organization is. He is also impressed about the good facilities that Northrise offers and also mentions how friendly and competent he finds the staff at Northrise. He seems eager and willing to share and also gain knowledge that will take Northrise to higher better heights.
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06-24-09
By Duke
It is winter here in Zambia. Evidently most of the students had taken precautions to keep warm on that Monday morning, the 22 nd of June. It was interesting to note, however, that this was not the usual pack of Northrise students seated in room 201, one of the classrooms in Caravelle house (the current University building). Both the young and old were present in the mixture of students, eager to learn what the Foundations in Agriculture intensive class would offer them.
The intensive class is tailored to empower the community of Ndola in basic skills in agriculture and for them to comprehend how to coexist with the eco system. Professor Ronald J. Vos from Dordt College USA travelled to Zambia to share his knowledge in the field of Agriculture. He arrived in Ndola on the 20 of June and spent part of the weekend to prepare for the class that began on Monday. On this particular Monday morning, he was clad in a green Dordt College t-shirt and it was clear that the whether was favorable for him even though most of us indigenous to Ndola, felt it was a bit chilly. Dr Vos introduced himself to the eager faces before him and noted that theirs was an easy task in terms of learning one name, ‘Vos’, but he had to learn 30 names which is the composition of the class. This is Dr Vos’ third visit to Zambia and he is always excited to be here. This time around it is even better for him as he is imparting some of the knowledge that he has to the community of Ndola as well as some students of Northrise.
With the partnership between Dordt and Northrise strengthening, both Northrise and Dordt hope to continue to see this academic exchange that will empower both students and the community of Ndola in both academic and vocational skills. The agriculture class has been scheduled to run from the 22 nd of June to the 26 th of June. Students attending this class will learn the theory part of agriculture fundamentals in the first three days and then will be engaged in the practical of the course in the last two days. The practical will be conducted on the land at Northrise Farms.
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06-23-09
By Enock Misebo
Shoes are very important components of human clothing. Northrise University received a consignment of shoes two weeks ago and it has been the talk here at Northrise University since. Grace Fellowship church, in California, sent various shoes for both faculty and students who had registered last year in October. It was a joyful sight to see the excitement of those who received a pair. Therefore, I thought it wise to have a word with some of the receipients and this is what they had to say to those who blessed them:-
Yelesani D. Chimwano
“I’m in the third year of my Bachelor in Theology. I would like to thank the people who sent these shoes not only for me but for the other guys here at Northrise. I am very grateful to know that there is at least someone out there who cares for us here at Northrise University. Its my pleasure to say the least that I can in appreciation, and that is Thank You.“
Kennedy Chipoma
“I’m in my third year pursuing my degree in Business Administration here at Northrise University. I would like to say many thanks to the people who sent these shoes for me. I didn`t really expect to receive so much from someone who is so many miles away – U.S.A! It really triggers me to show my appreciation for their heartfelt generosity. I am glad to say the shoes fit me well. As you can see, (to me, the writer) they look good on me! Thanks very much and may the Lord replace what has been given out.“
Mutanuka Sikazwe
“I’m doing my degree in Business Administration and am in my third year. Thank you to the people who sent these shoes for me. I may not know them but their care and concern for me is really touching and it makes me feel honored. I can not say much but my prayer is, may the Lord richly bless the hand that has given and may he guide them in all insights. Thanks a lot.“
Mrs. Alice Simutowe
“Im a registrar here at Northrise. The gesture of people remembering other people whom they’ve never met before and surprising them with shoes is amazing. It encourages us to continue dedicating our lives to Northrise University just as our friends remembered to get our shoe sizes and fulfilled their promise dedicatedly.“
Prudence Chola
“Im in my third year doing my degree in Information Technology. I felt great to receive shoes. There nice and just my size. Thank you so much.“
Peter Lungu
“I was excited to receive the shoes. And they came at the right time. Im very grateful to whoever sent me a pair. God bless you always.“
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06-10-09
by Mukupa Musonda
School seems a little dull and quiet. So I think to myself, is it the cold weather? But then it hits me – it’s that time of the term again! Mid term exams are just around the corner, assignments are pending and there are presentations to get through.
Students are engrossed in their studies and seem almost glued to their computers and books. It’s amazing! While one may dread this period of time, I have come to learn that it helps us get back on track and realize what we are really here for. I must say we don’t look forward to this time of the term, but hey! God always gets us through it.
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06-09-09
25th May was another great milestone in the history of Northrise Farms. For six delicate weeks, Mr. Bob Chiwetu and his farm crew oversaw the rearing of 1000 broiler birds. This was the first poultry initiative at the farm. Finally, by the given date, the birds were ready for the market with an unusually outstanding weight compared to the usual weight of chickens on the Ndola market.
Northrise Farm and the main campus site have fondly come to be known as the land by the Northrise family and the local people. The local people in the surrounding area of the land were among the first to sample the chickens. Before long people from around the townships (Twapia, Chifubu, George, etc) and suburbs (Hillcrest, Kansenji, Pamodzi, Itawa, etc) of Ndola came flocking to the land to buy the chickens.
Bob and his team ventured out of the land and delivered over 500 chickens at Ndola’s main market, in the Masala area. To date, the majority of Ndola residents is still having a taste of the Northrise Farms chicken. Bob noted that “there is market out there and by God’s grace, the next venture will even be bigger. We have learnt a lot from this first experience and we hope to raise the bar in the next venture.” God is indeed charting the way for Northrise. Members of staff and students alike delighted in this development at the land. They all bought varying numbers of chickens for home consumption as a show of support in the quality of the birds that Northrise had brought to market.
A number of people from all walks of life have contributed to making this first poultry venture a success. Some left their homes in June of last year and came to Africa, Zambia, Ndola and worked on the land laying the foundation for this first chicken run. Most in this group had never been to Africa before. Some have offered their expert guidance and still others have offered their prayers and moral support. May God continue to direct the way Northrise progresses and continue to touch the lives of those who contribute their support in varying ways.
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06-09-09
By Chibozu N. Maambo
Producing good graduates is not only owed to academics, responsible members of faculty or excellent lecturers. Rather, there are other contributing factors such as determination, perseverance and a healthy clean environment.
Speaking of the environment, Northrise University students are involved in keeping their learning environment clean and conducive for studies. At a specified time, students on Financial Aid clean their allocated portion of the surroundings. This is known as work-study. It is a way of showing appreciation to the school for the financial aid that has been granted to the student.Work-study does not only help a student manage their fees but also helps the student to be more focused on their studies as it enables them stay in school.
Having noted this, I encourage my fellow students to keep on doing their work study faithfully and also remember that they are not only being taught to be useful in society by maintaining their surroundings but they are, in a way, positively contributing to their overall grade (a clean healthy environment is also stimulating), while also saying thank you to Northrise and sponsors.
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05-27-09
by Banji Simasiku
The morning of Monday the 18th was cool as winter is fast approaching. The dining hall was arranged in preparation for chapel to accommodate all day scholars as well as members of staff. The topic was Positive Thinking, which was ideal as a new term usually begins with new plans and strategies of how to study better. Also, student transcripts of the previous term were due and if a student feels unhappy about their performance, that could easily bring a student to feeling worthless as they drain themselves in negative thoughts.
Dr. Moffat Zimba shared and started the event by cheerfully welcoming the audience and giving a prayer. And as he usually does from time to time, he engaged his audience into a discussion of what positive thinking entailed. He talked about the power of positive thinking in relation to our environment, our relationships and our health. He gave examples such as how our first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, implemented policies and laws that helped build Zambia’s infrastructure. Such ideas, he said, positive and unfortunately even negative ones, could out-live the thinker if carefully nurtured. He also pointed out that generally, nobody wanted to be around someone who was a perpetual negative thinker. And in relation to our health, he said negative thoughts do not only affect our frame of mind but also our physical health. Positive thoughts, however, retain the opposite effect.
Chapel ended on a good note with a recap of the session by the students. An ending prayer and announcements for the day were given. The experience of chapel at Northrise on every Monday is always enriching because God always has something special, something for each one of us to relate with as we begin the week and indeed in this case as we begin the second term. I see the faces of most of the students full of the knowledge that has been shared on this Monday morning and God’s hand is upon Northrise as we begin this second term.
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