Abel the Caterer – LifeNets Scholarship

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Abel Nhlema is Employee of the Month! March 2021

Posted earlier on January 19, 2021

Abel Nhlema is one of our scholarship graduates in Malawi who got a job and kept it during the COVID-19 crisis; however, it is not an easy story, but one of hard work and God's blessing.

 
September 9, 2020
 
From Dan Ringo. LifeNets Business and Finance Manager, Blantyre, Malawi:
 
Abel was fortunate enough to secure a job soon after graduating. He studied food production (Catering), He now works at one of Malawi's fine hotels. 
 
I met him some days ago and asked him how he's doing knowing that the tourism business has suffered greatly. He told me that out of 190 employees at his workplace 165 were laid off due to loss of business caused by COVID-19.
 
Of these 190 employees, 25 were chefs but now there are only four left including Abel. They are now receiving only 50% of their normal salary but Abel said he is thankful to God that he is not among the 165 employees that were laid off. The fact that he is among the 15% of employees that are still working gives him confidence that his employers like his skills in the kitchen. In addition to having his salary cut, COVID-19 has caused him and his friends to work overtime without pay The explanation they receive is that the company is making up losses due to Covid-19.
However, there are hopes that Abel and his friends will offer their catering services to the Blantyre UCG congregation during this year's Feast of Tabernacles in Blantyre. This will be the first time that Abel and his friends will privately carter an organization since the first COVID-19 case was officially announced in Malawi.
 
Now fast-forward to October:
 

 

Some of the women serving food to Festival attendees

Some of the women serving food to Festival attendees

Abel's parents say he has been a good cook even before he started the course

Abel's parents say he has been a good cook even before he started the course

Updated October 18, 2020
 
In my report of 9th September 2020. I mentioned to you that one of LifeNets' beneficiaries (Abel) though affected at work by COVID-19 restrictions, was not among the fellow employees who were dismissed. Only his salary was cut. I mentioned that Abel the chef was in talks with those in charge of catering during the Feast of Tabernacles negotiating terms and conditions of service so that Abel and his friends could offer their catering services during the 2020 Feast of Tabernacles in Blantyre. Well, it worked.
 
However, the recommendable job that the boys, led by Abel, did was not easy. Time management was a very important factor. Working for an organization that suspended 85% of its staff, meant not getting an easy leave from job. On top of that, being a member of Blantyre UCG and one who knows the importance of God's Holy Days, meant that Abel had to attend the services as well.
 
Abel and his friends were given accommodation within the church premises. And, they always started the day around 5 a.m.with chopping the salads, cutting what needed to be cut, marinating what needed marinating etc. by 9 a.m. Abel would leave his friends in the kitchen and start preparing for church service which usually starts at 10:30 a.m. At 1:30 p.m. when the meal was being served, Abel and one of his friends would quickly change their clothes and start off to work from where their shift would start at 6 p..m.to 2 a.m. and be dropped off at the church premises again around 3 a..m. to get their 2 hours sleep. The boys were busy but they flawlessly delivered. Have I ever mentioned to you that we use charcoal and at times firewood as a source of power when cooking our meals? 
 
Unlike the previous Feast of Tabernacles, women had enough time to rest and enjoy the Feast, without worrying about how the food is being prepared knowing well that those handling the kitchen were professionals,
 

From an earlier announcement:

Abel Nhlema from Blantyre, Malawi, received a scholarship and graduated from the Malawi Institute of Tourism in 2019. Soon after graduation, he was employed by one of the top hotels in Malawi. He noted “without the sponsorship of LifeNets, I would not have realized my dreams… The skills I have acquired will go a long way in my life.” In the midst of COVID-19, the hotel dismissed 85% of its employees and cut the salaries of many others, including Abel’s. Due to the smaller staff, it was not easy taking time off for the 2020 Feast of Tabernacles. However, he was able to negotiate with his employer—and he and three other friends from  the hotel ended up catering the Feast of Tabernacles in Blantyre, Malawi! Abel and the other employees worked hard to prepare and serve food during the Feast, while the women, who usually spent much time during the Feast cooking, were able to rest and enjoy the week without worrying about the food preparation. 

 

Children enjoying Festival meal

Women enjoying the meal cooked by the boys

Women enjoying the meal cooked by the boys

Livelihood, Malawi, Scholarships