South Africa: Success through hard work

Social work programmes offered by the Lutheran Community Outreach Foundation (LCOF) to build a new livelihood

"I am grateful to the Outreach Foundation for teaching me these important skills," says Zedy Mashaka, looking back."Today I have a career thanks to the short courses. They have changed my life."

37-year-old Zedy Mashaka Zaidy was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His childhood was characterised by instability and hardship.
His determination drove him to study for a degree, which he eventually completed with honours in business administration. However, when he arrived in South Africa, all his qualifications seemed worthless. He was unable to find work and was forced to take on the most menial jobs in order to survive.

"Ever since I arrived in South Africa, I've been struggling to make ends meet," Zedy recalls."As an undocumented migrant, every day was a struggle to survive; to find work and feed my family."

One day, he heard about the Outreach Foundation's offers and discovered the craft training programmes. His eyes lit up with hope when he learnt more about a course in plumbing. The team noticed his eagerness: "We were thrilled to see Zedy's determination," recalls one team member.
Among the 22 successful graduates of the course, Zedy's skills came into their own. And after a practical exam, the triumph: Zedy was offered a work placement. His voice trembled with excitement as he shared the news.

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