EMPOWERING THE YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION

The motto for Rhodes University, which is found in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, is where leaders learn. At least in its hundreds of years since its establishment as an academic centre, Rhodes University has managed to produce quality leaders, academicians, and even top politicians. In the quest to realize sustainable growth of the cooperative, Andiamo has invested a lot in training the youth to cope with the volatility of the world. For example, Andiamo has sent students to the University of Malawi, the United States of America, Italy, England, and the Republic of South Africa. Other youths have also gone to Germany and Vietnam for various courses in leadership and youth forums respectively. Eugenio Njoloma, who until February this year worked in Andiamo’s Web Office, is one of the Youths studying abroad under the auspices of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust. Paul Sefasi of Andiamo Website Office caught up with him to learn more about his experience in South Africa. Excerpts:

Paul: Eugenio, can you tell us the atmosphere there. I mean the general atmosphere.
Eugenio: Ah, first of all I must say thanks for this interview, Mr Paul. Grahamstown is the name of the town where I live. A very small town, indeed, with those ancient buildings. Students are every where. Some stay in the university residences and others, like myself, stay outside the campus in houses that we call diggs. The life is quiet nice here and the atmosphere is really conducive for learning. It is amazing!

Paul: Since you left here in February, how have you fared?
Eugenio: Ah, I really have to thank God because my life has been wonderful. My trip, though, was very long and tiresome. But I travelled safely and I arrived at school as planned. It was good.

Paul: So, tell us how you are doing in your studies!
Eugenio: Ah, studies have never been easy, any way…they need a lot of one’s effort. The first time I got into the class it was very amazing to see how multiracial it was. I knew it was quiet challenging and that fact pushed a button of hard work. I needed to work hard to prove my worth of being at this university.

Paul: So, what course are you really doing, and what level?
Eugenio: I am currently doing a Masters in International Studies in the department of Political and International Studies. I am specializing in International Relations and Foreign Policy Formulation. Hopefully by February next year, I shall have mastered this (laughs).

Paul: International Studies! What is the significance of this course with the operation of Andiamo, what do you think?
Eugenio: Ahhh, (laughs) I don’t know, really. I don’t know! But I know there is no such a study that is useless. You know, Andiamo is growing now and it needs critical thinking in its leadership. This is what international studies teaches us…to critically look at issues surrounding the problem. It might be a problem to do with the affairs of countries, yes, but this can be reduced to the organisation level. This is the essence of this.

Paul: So, what do you really like to do there, like during your free time?
Eugenio: Paul, there is really no free time here. One creates the free time. If one has a lot of work to do, even on Sunday, there is no such free time. But usually, I try to squeeze some time in between just to relax. Normally I go to watch televised football matches or go to chat with my friends, most of which are country mates.

Paul: Any last word?
Eugenio: Oh, sure…I have to thank Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust for giving me this opportunity to do a Masters in International Studies. The knowledge I am acquiring here is not mine only. It will definitely help others as well. I need to also encourage people never to lose heart so easily and never to compare things. Each and every one has his own time, chances and luck.

Paul: Thanks Eugenio for the Interview.
Eugenio: Thanks.

Eugenio in RSA

While at Andiamo in Web Office


Eugenio and Paul