Who are you?
I’m Jotham Sibanda, 60 years old. I’m married and the father of three daughters. I grew up in Lutsha. By attending the Free Presbyterian primary school there, I became acquainted with the mission. On leaving secondary school, I trained as a teacher in Bulawayo and was subsequently taken on to teach the Ndebele language at a secondary school at Hwange. After fourteen years in that post, the Government appointed me to a programme to boost the quality of education at schools in the region. We looked into the causes of low achievement and sought to address them.
What brought you to live at Mbuma?
I came here to be a carer for my brother, who had cancer. He was admitted to hospital here in September last year. We agreed that I, as the eldest brother, would look after our sick brother while the third brother would be financially responsible for our three families. My sick brother was a patient here for months. The nurses deliver the medical care; it was up to me to help my brother with washing and toilet. He was recovering well after a while, but once he was able to start his chemotherapy, it all went downhill. We kept the full details from his children out of worry that they’d fail their exams if they knew. Once she’d sat her exams, his eldest daughter was able to go and see him. In the end, he passed away early this year. After the funeral, I came back here to pay off some of the hospital bill by way of volunteer work, which is why I’m still here.
How do you look back on recent months?
Of course, it wasn’t an easy time, especially not when I could see my brother’s life ebbing away. I am quite certain that this time has not been wasted. God has a sure purpose in everything that He does. I begged Him to allow my brother to heal, but the Lord had determined a different outcome. It is a consolation that everything that happens is in accordance with His holy will, and I rest in that knowledge. Besides, the Bible studies that we had during my long stay at Mbuma were highly valuable, giving us the opportunity to study the Word together and share our concerns. God deserves our service; He gives us so many blessings day by day.