The Thola Centre

For years, we dreamed of doing ministry on the 7 Rivers Farm. It turns out that the farm is too remote and there are three places where the road passes through the river, making the 2 kilometre walk to 7 Rivers dangerous for children in Olwasini.

So, in March 2022, we bought 2.2 acres in Olwasini, and by the end of March 2024, we were finishing the construction of the Thola (Discovery) Centre, a ministry centre in the heart of the community, right across from the school and a big soccer field. Our borehole (well) serves the building and provides clean water for the community at a roadside tap.

In the Zulu language, ukuthola means to discover. We are praying and serving so that people in our community will discover the Bible, salvation through Jesus Christ, and personal fulfilment by living life and doing work based on the principles of God’s Word.

The Thola Centre will have four components:

• An After-School Programme providing primary school-age children with Bible clubs, sports and arts activities, homework help, counselling, and English language learning.

• A Christian pre-school (creche) providing early childhood learning and activities in a stimulating environment, with special needs assistance, to get children ready for lifelong learning.

• A Women’s Job-Skills Development Centre providing training in making beaded jewellery, knitted dolls, and sewing products such as uniforms. A separate building will house a bakery to teach women skills in baking breads and cakes.

• A Christian Medical Clinic, working in coordination with area government clinics, providing diagnosis, emergency treatment, basic medications, home visits, and a landing spot for the government mobile clinic.