1,000 Students coming to Bulembu

"1000 students, one community, forever transformed….. doing what everybody knows needs to be done."

In late November 2008, Bulembu will host over 1,000 South African university students and professionals as they descend upon the community. In an inspiring event of logistics, service and life transformation, this massive volunteer army will descend upon Bulembu and leave behind a community transformed forever.

Focus Team Leadership Training (FTLT) http://www.ftlt.org/ , an organization based in Pretoria South Africa, which focuses on impacting and empowering young adults for missions will lead this history making event in association with Tuks Missions and Bulembu ministries. Each year FTLT send hundreds of students across South Africa serving and volunteering in unreached communities as part of their overall leadership training. This year, they will hone in and specifically focus on 2 weeks in Bulembu.

Bulembu is a lighthouse of change for a nation and a region that suffers from the destruction of AIDS. They believe that many of the orphans in their care today will be the hope and leaders of the country tomorrow. However, Bulembu is not just a place of transformation for those in the community, but also a place of transformation for those who volunteer to serve within the community.

What has come to be known as SWAZI 1000, the 14 day event in late November will not only leave an unforgettable impression on the community in a physical way, but will forever change the lives of over 1,000 students. The entirety of the event, from planning, training to implementation will provide the students with hands on experience in community development, leadership development and project management.  Students will be involved in work projects from painting, renovating, cleaning researching and land clearing and will be able to engage the community through skits, drama and sports.

By the end of the event, we anticipate that hundreds of houses will be painted, dozens of orphan care homes renovated, and the pastures for Bulembu Dairy prepared (fencing). We are currently in the midst of sourcing key supplies and equipment from Vancouver Canada. In August Product Care donated over 12,000 gallons of paint which will now be shipped to Bulembu.  The impact painting so many structures and houses will have on the community is far beyond just aesthetic looks. It is the start of rebirthing dignity back to a community which at one point was the “Star” of Swaziland.

If you want more information regarding SWAZI 1000 or how you can be involved, please contact us at info@bulembu.org.

“The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord;
in it’s time I will do this swiftly”
Isaiah 60:22