Testimonials From The Beneficiaries

Marina Saúl Fombe (Mozambique)
The training was a great learning experience for me because before, I was a person with a lot of stage fright and was afraid of being laughed at by the people present wherever I was. The opportunity to participate in a training like this, which brings a significant approach to both the individual and society, the true value of learning lies in the strength of will and with the tools and methodologies used by TFT, it awakened something inside me that I was killing with so much shame. Today I can say that I am capable of performing an activity without even knowing where to start; I will find some tool to begin the work. After finishing the course, I had a space to facilitate a workshop at a school about alcoholic beverages in adolescents and young people, and I received the task with great happiness since it was my first contact without a facilitator to assist. In the end, I felt proud of the mission. At the moment, I teach women who did not have the opportunity to study. My personal development has increased greatly, thank you for the TFT support.

Eunice Ndlovu (Zimbabwe / South Africa, TFT in Practice)
I have been with TFT since 2014 and was grateful for the opportunity to be part of the 2022-23 Diploma class. The Diploma Course transformed me from within. I have changed the way I perceive people and my surroundings. Attending the Diploma Course was the piece of the puzzle that was missing in my life. I now have an understanding of the meaning of life, have discovered my purpose, and have gained confidence. Now I use the TFT approach at home with my family and with the 10 ladies from my church in our weekly meetings.

Matilda Nyau (UCZ – United Church of Zambia – CFGB Project Mwandi Western Province)
Before TFT, I was a Provincial organizing secretary for the Nurses union and I spoke on many forums. Now that I have gone through the  TFT diploma course, my confidence and self-esteem have grown. I speak on many more forums including church and work and can train, teach, share, and demonstrate with love and kindness. I now understand people more and treat them with patience.

Chileshe Kambikambi (UCZ – United Church of Zambia)
After the TFT training, I had to lobby for funds to train youth in skills development. I identified 10 youths in the Mwkera community who were sponsored by the Community Development Fund ( CDF). They acquired training in food production, tailoring, and plumbing and will be graduating this April.

Noksi Booi (South Africa, TFT in Practice)
The TFT Diploma course helped to boost my confidence and overcome fears, though I still have them, I can face them. Before the course, I could not speak confidently in front of a large group but now I can. The course helped my ways of seeing, thinking, and doing.   

Ruth Tiyamike Mwenda (Malawi)
After attending the diploma course, I was motivated to support secondary school students who come from financially challenged families by paying their tuition fees – both boys and girls.

Amina Gibreel (Sudan, Center for Training Protection of Women and Child’s Rights)
“After attending the course, I started a project to help 18 women to create sustainable businesses so that they get income. I thank God often for this sacred Gift of offering me the opportunity to have had this experience.”

Bongiso Zitha (South Africa, DELTA)
“We have 3 programmes, women empowerment and leadership, food security and HIV/AIDS. Before the course I wasn’t a facilitator. Now every week I train 25 women, ages 45-65 in different villages. We focus on empowerment. I can say with confidence, I’m doing a good job.”

Sharon Ngwenya (Zimbabwe, Missionary Daughters of Calvary)
“I am a Catholic nun and I’m 28 years old. After the course, I became Mother Superior. Now I speak without fear and I respect their truth as well.”

Carmen Opperman (South Africa, TFT in Practice)
“TFT boosted my confidence. I had many fears, I still have but I can face them. Before the course, if an experienced facilitator would have asked me to facilitate a training together, I would have said no but now I say yes. The whole process added a lot to my growth.” 

Dunyiswa Ngwenze (South Africa, DELTA)
“I’m working as an HIV fieldworker for DELTA. In the TfT Diploma, people gave me a chance to talk. My confidence improved and my communication skills. Now I engage with my community in a new way. I link Freire’s principles with my programmes, and my work became more effective. At a personal level, I learned to deal with my own issues. I’m very grateful to all that contributed to this life changing experience.”

Rabera Nyamwamu (Kenya) is from Neighbors Initiative Alliance (NIA) in Kajiado.
Rabera says: “Like a lightening flash, the knowledge I have gained has opened my mind and will echo through my life, to be utilized as a powerful resource to deal with life’s challenges. Conscietization brings greater awareness, power and peace.  With this greater insight comes effective action. Thank you for giving the opportunity to acquire this lifetime of skills and knowledge”.

Beauty Nyampinga  (Zimbabwe) is from Female Prisoner Support Trust, launched in 2011.
Beauty says: “TFT course has helped me to listen to the story behind the story and not to act quickly or pass judgement on the communities that we work with. These listening skills have helped me understand the magnitude of the issues we face and thus we are better informed to decide what sort of interventions to make. My profound gratitude goes to all the TfT staff and the team that contributed financially to my participation in the course”.

Nomboniso Gaya (South Africa) is from Port St John’s Community Legal Advice Centre (PJCLAC).
Nomboniso says: “The TFT training made me realise who am I, what I want to do in life and how I can do it. Before we used to just make decisions for the community before checking what are their needs.  Now we adopt the approach of TFT. We are not ‘spoon-feeding’ the communities, we listen and allow them to fully participate and engage”.

Mandisa Poswayo and Khuthala Malundana (South Africa). Mandisa and Khuthala were participants from Development Education Leadership Training in Action (DELTA).
Mandisa says: “In my organization we educate women about their rights but we do not engage them on a participatory method of by digging deeper to their situations. We are giving the information or spoon feeding them. The TFT methodology (Problem Posing) is what I’m going to put into practice with the communities I work with”.Matilda Nyau (UCZ – United Church of Zambia – CFGB Project Mwandi Western Province)

Before TFT, I was a Provincial organizing secretary for the Nurses union and I spoke on many forums. Now that I have gone through the  TFT diploma course, my confidence and self-esteem have grown. I speak on many more forums including church and work and can train, teach, share, and demonstrate with love and kindness. I now understand people more and treat them with patience.