NUI Blog - Northrise University Initiative

Phew, what a day.  After waking up twice last night I finally slept.  Then I prepared for a day of teaching.  I was definitely nervous because I did not know what to expect, or how the seminar participants would respond to my teaching.  We started this morning with singing in Bemba (which is their native language here).  No I do not speak the language, but I do know that they sing beautifully.  My “guide” translated the meaning of the songs for me. If I knew how to spell her name I would let you know what it is.  After teaching all morning we stopped for lunch and had traditional Zambian food.  Then it was back to work…

There were so many good comments and questions.  For those of you who do not know, I am teaching on domestic violence to the people who run a ministry called Arising Life Ministries.  They are from very diverse backgrounds and have great perspective.

Danalyn Savage

Danalyn and Scott Savage are friends of Northrise who made it to Zambia on the 25th of June 2011. So far Scotts days has been filled with class sessions both in the morning and afternoon while Dan has been involved with the  Zambia Police Force and Arising Life Ministries talking about domestic violence and child abuse. Dan and Scott are so lively and looking forward to the arrival of all the others as the Impact Week draws closer. So far, we have a total of 8  friends from the USA.

For more on Dan and Scott Savage, please visit their blog @

http://savageimpactndola.wordpress.com/

You can follow the Impact Week coverage in several ways…

1. This blog. We will post updates, pictures, and videos on here as often as possible throughout the week.

2. Twitter: You can also follow the official Impact Ndola twitter (@impactndola2011). You can also search the hashtag #impactndola2011.

3. Facebook

4. Northrise University Website

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) met for their 10th annual conference in Lusaka on 8th June 2011. Over 3000 members of governments, private sectors and the civil societies of the United States and Africa met in Lusaka for three days. The forum was focused on discussing ways of strengthening trade between the United States and Sub-Sahara Africa.
Among the U.S senior officials, the country was honoured to receive US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and US Deputy Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis.

AGOA was established on May 18, 2000 with the objective of encouraging as well as offering tangible incentives to African countries who continue to offer and build free markets in the United States. Exports made to the United States through AGOA are subject to zero duty, which encourages continued business relations between the United States and Sub-Sahara Africa.
A strong relationship with the United States not only provides a greater opportunity for Zambia and other countries to expand their economies but also provides the US with a platform to empower countries to expand their cultural qualities and heritage in international circles.

Sources:
www.agoa.info
www.agoa.gov
www.one.org/blog/2011/06/07/one-heads-to-zambia-for-the-agoa-conference
www.dictionary.com

In March of this year,  3 containers were shipped from 3 different locations to Zambia.  It was the largest single shipment of much needed supplies to date!  Along with regular donations and equipment for Northrise operations, supplies were sent to support the upcoming Impact Ndola 2011 trip as well as to equip and finish the NUCare clinic on the Northrise Main Campus.  All three containers arrived in early June and have been offloaded, ready for Impact travelers to arrive!

A special thank you to everyone involved in getting these much needed resources to Zambia!

Impact Ndola begins on July 1st.  To get regular updates, follow along via the blog, or through social media:

@impactndola2011  #impactndola

Become a fan on Facebook:

Impact Ndola 2011

By Chibozu Maambo

Monday’s chapel was led by students. Songs of praise and worship echoed through the halls of the school as the students rejoiced about the new week they had began. It was very interesting to see different students from various faculties and levels of study praising the Lord with various God given talents.  Encouragements came through scriptures, songs and poems. The Lord is worthy to be praised at all times with the gifts he has bestowed upon each one of us. As Northrise University students we will continue to glorify his name.

by Getrude Mashano

I have a few mantras that have carried me through my nearly 24 years of life and that have always stood out to be the resounding truth in every situation.
A few of them being:
“you can do anything you put your mind to…”

“be the friend you wish you had…”

“ you do not need to fight for that which is yours to start with”

“a rolling stone gathers no moss”

One of my newly found mantras is “Pole Pole” which I believe is Swahili for “slowly slowly…” now, don’t pull out a Swahili dictionary on me because I did say ‘believe is…’ and no one has the right to condemn a man for his or her beliefs right…lol.

Well, expressions like life is a rat race and the tough get going when the going gets tough are commonplace in a society that makes it so that the economically stable foster a workaholic lifestyle, But at what cost?
Do we as humans ever sit down to consider the opportunity cost of each of our actions or in this case, our inaction? What are the opportunities foregone of working overtime to buy that BMW we are coveting? What is the downside of that new mansion we are eying in Kabulonga (an urban area in Lusaka), what is the detrimental factor fueling our acquisition for a better lifestyle?

Don’t get me wrong…it is our human right to be able to have access to the best of what the world has to offer. But I put it to you, that maybe our perspective is all-wrong, and like someone used to tell me; we may be looking at life through a foggy lens.

Africans know better that “Ichuma Bantu” – as a slogan in the latest Barclays advertising campaign reminds us…which (I believe) is a Bemba expression encapsulating that the value of money lies in what it can do for the people one cares about.

And it is for them that we toil, it is for them that we sweat and bleed. So let us not lose focus. We should be hard workers but insure that the opportunity cost is not the quality of our relationships with those we love, that the side-effects are not dysfunctional families and resulting in a society of close strangers.
Please hear me on this; life is all about balance. And as written in Ecclesiastes 3:

There is a time for everything!

So today, I am imploring, that we make a little time for those we love… slowly – slowly.

By Agness Nshindano

After many months of waiting, Northrise University’s dream of having classes at the main campus has finally come to light. Yesterday, May 4th 2011, NU held its very first classes at Kuhula House, the Business Building at the main campus. Students who attended classes there have nothing but praise for the top-notch building and furnishing.

One student said,

“it’s unbelievable how awesome this place is… so serene, and I just love it…”

I certainly agree: you fall in love with the place the very moment you enter the gates. The quiet and peaceful surrounds prove a perfect complement to the building, making it ideal for learning. And, it’s absolutely a place full of color.

An interview with Matildah Mutale, a first year student at Northrise University who has just completed her first term today; Friday, April 14, 2011. This is Matilda’s first ever experience of university life.

Q: How was the very first term at Northrise?
A: Well, it was quite an experience. Challenging at first but I tried to adapt to the situation.
Q: How did you find the mid-term exams?
A: OMG, those exams where something else, not close to what I expected.
Q: So after midterm, did you change your study strategy?
A: Definitely, instead of taking my courses lightly, I saw the need to up the game, and to concentrate on the objectives. I also started understanding the course material a little more.
Q: Any exam that you enjoyed writing?
A: Sure (with a smile) Computer Literacy Basics; just loved it.
Q: So, what are you looking forward to most this coming term?
A: Perhaps becoming an A student since I have learnt my lessons.
Q: So, are you happy that you are going on break?
A: Who wouldn’t be, it’s quite a relief from all the pressure and stress of studying.
Q: And how would you describe your social life at Northrise?
A: People here are friendly so you will get your social life going, like it or not.
Q: Do you like Northrise University?
A: Very much, especially the atmosphere and lectures.

Mulenga Chella is a class of 2007 graduate who returned to Northrise University to study for his  bachelor’s degree in theology. Today, Mulenga is a 4th year student and also leading a church of 400 members that is located in a mining area of Zambia. While studying at Northrise, a door was opened for him to visit the United States as the guest speaker during the 9th Annual Norhrise Auction Banquet.

“Wow, I am blessed to be here. Coming into contact with sponsors and friends of Northrise is a great privilege. I have been shown so much love and have received good hospitality and care, and people are excited to see one of the products of Northrise University. Our friends and sponsors of Northrise University really love us.”

While in America, Mulenga was able to share his testimony with friends of Northrise, preach at a number of churches, and act as the guest of honor at the Northrise Auction Banquet. Click on the link below to hear Mulenga’s story from the banquet.

Mulenga’s Story

by Chibozu Mambo

Northrise University launched the first one-on-one speaker series this year on the 25th of February. The sole purpose of the program is to provide encouragement and motivation to all students. The first speaker was Pastor George Chanda from Bread of Life Church, Ndola, a farmer by birth, teacher by profession, and pastor by calling. Pastor Chanda interestingly shared on the need for having a mentor and gave a few pointers on how to actually find one.

For March, Mr. Phesto Musonda, a CEO and Chairman of Sub-Saharan Gemstone Exchange and Phoenix Materials Limited, graced the University students with his presence. He did not hesitate to share his knowledge and wide experience on business. Mr. Musonda mentioned that planning is at the core of business. Furthermore, the five factors that complement business are character, climate, structure, leadership, and information. Alongside these factors, it is vital to take note of competitors and the weaknesses they possess while keeping in mind the need for innovation—a big plus in today’s business market. Tulemye Mpengula, a 3rd year BIT student confidently said, “Listening to Mr. Musonda has not only helped me learn what it takes to be in business but also what holds its helm.”  One profound statement that is still vivid is, “In business, without planning you cannot succeed.”

by Chisha Mwansa

Do you remember when you were young, you would look to the sky making shapes out of clouds and naming birds as they fly by. As time has gone by, you have grown older, taller, wiser, and you are probably focused on more important matters of your life like school or work or family. As important as our priorities are, we may have forgotten one very important thing; to take another look at the sky…  To be thankful to the Lord our God who created us and the never disappointing Sky that has given us so much joy and beauty for every moment of our lives; the same sky that holds our secrets, sorrows, joy, past and future. May I draw your attention to E. E. Cummings (1894 – 1962) a U.S. poet and painter who wrote:

“i thank You God for this most amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes…”

Let us take a moment to be grateful for the things that may seem simple yet very complex, like laughter and peace,  or hope for the future, an education, a job, or perhaps family and friends or the sky…