handsonafrica.com

Update 7 January 2020 - MALAWI 1 & 2 CAMPUSSES ONLY 

JANUARY 2020 MALAWI SEMESTERS POSTPONED DUE TO RESTRICTIONS IN MALAWI

Let me start to pray over you all, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, a new year of abundant joy and everlasting peace in God, regardless of what 2021 might hold for us. We all were desperately hoping for new beginnings in 2021 but continuous chaos unfortunately awaits us at the beginning of the new year. Our future and hope however is based on our heavenly security protected through God’s own power. We know who we are in Christ, we recognize the enemy and his deceptive ways, but above all we know the end of the story. Jesus wins, He is on the throne and He is coming again, to lead us into our promised home, to be with Him forever and ever. 
 
Instead of been something of the pass, the pandemic spike with a second wave to disturb our plans yet again.  I eagerly await to hear Malawi government’s response at the end of the 14 days closure of borders which started on the 23rd of December. Announcement yesterday was however not what we were hoping for. But although it was bad news which prevent us, foreign lecturers, to travel into Malawi, we since last night were working on various different options on how we could create alternatives that would enable us to continue our planned re-opening of the 13th of January. We had some positive discussion between leaders and the deeper we delved into the discussion the more we became aware that our location and facilities are not ideal to operate under the current pandemic restrictions and regulations. Plus regulations that limits the duration and amount of students that is allowed in the same location will mean it will take us twice as long to get through the courses.  There is also not only the added concern of exposing staff and students to a possible outbreak but we also jeopardize the long-term future of the school if government officials will show up and shut us down. We could even be prosecuted and receive heavy fines if they accuse us from endangering the lives of those present or they feel we fail to follow their guidelines. Apparently the DHO has to pre-approve the location before we would be allowed to operate.  The fact that students will be traveling with local transport from all parts of the country, through all the hot spot areas in Malawi, add to the concern that a student or some students might arrive with the virus without even knowing yet. Even though we were planning to do daily temperature tests it will be too late once we discover we have sick students among us. We considered to divide the schools in half and do four groups instead of two but we still will experience the same issues just in a lesser way. In the light of government’s uncertainty and constant reviewing of current increase in numbers they could announce more restrictions at any point that might force us to closed down immediately. There is already known jealousy against us in Malawi and these "enemies" would love to abuse the situation to put us in bad light, jeopardizing our future. There is no way we could continue out of public eye and therefore must respond in a way that will not harm our testimony. In consideration of all this and ultimately you and your families personal safety and well being, and our schools safety and future, we had to make decisions on the way forward.  
 
Also to consider was the fact Malawi 1 is still a semester ahead of Malawi 2 and we need to get Malawi 2 to catch up and get on the same semester level as Malawi 1. Plus we need to consider options that will prolong our students time to complete their studies, specially beyond the one semester all our schools have already lost. 
 
It is hard to come up with a "right" decision because what is right for some is wrong for others. With around 1000 persons impacted we never would be able to make a decision that satisfies everyone. Some of us are more daring while others are more cautious. We however had to come to a conclusion on what we think is the safer decision that is inclusive of all. So in light of all this I unfortunately have to announce  yet another postponement of the January 2021 semesters for both Malawi 2 and Malawi 1. Below is the way forward for both schools. I know some of you will be disappointed and some will be relieved. 
 
MALAWI 2 (TWO)
1.    FIRST OPTION: If in the next few weeks we receive good news from a next government announcement we will go ahead and reschedule Malawi 2 for February or March 2021 under the following arrangements:
a.    We will divide school into two groups with each group attending classes for 5 days with a day in-between the two groups to clear the premise and enable the second group to arrive. It also will allow lecturers a day of rest.  
b.    NO FEES will be handled during this special classes. Fees MUST be deposited in one of the bank accounts and deposit slip sent to us. If you arrive and pay with cash we do not take responsibility for it or will keep lecturers accountable for it. To eliminate cash help us ensure to Covid-19 measurements of safety.  
c.    Assignment sheets for new assignments will be emailed to students attending.
d.    Assignments of April 2020 semesters will be handed in on first day of this special semester and distributed to the Master Degree students for marking. 
e.    All local Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to at all times. Detail of the 
applicable protocols, at the time,  will be announced with the instruction to join the special semester. 
f.    We will give enough warning in order for students to attend but I suggest you  keep yourself ready to respond to a short notice call to attend classes. Will give at least 10 day notice.   
g.     NO EXAMS: There will be no exams but only classes. Exams from April 2020 will be written during the next semester in May 2021. This if cause means that Malawi 2 will write eight exams for current students and four exams for new students. We add two days to the semester of May in order to accommodate enough time for these extra exams to be written. 
h.     Between February/March possible semester and May semester will not leave  enough time for most students to do all eight their new assignments. So any assignments not done by May will be allowed to be handed in on the first day of the October 2021 semester without penalty. 
i.    Academic skills for new students will be taught at their next semester May 2021 
 
2.    SECOND OPTION: To divide students according to the four political areas of Malawi and to arrange a place in each area where students could attend classes for five days for the applicable subjects. 
a.    This will depend on availability of lecturers and will determine a lot of logistics and will only be considered if we could  work it out. 
b.    NO FEES will be handled during this special classes. Fees MUST be deposited in one of the bank accounts and deposit slip sent to us. If you pay cash we do not take responsibility for it or will keep lecturers accountable for it. To eliminate cash help us ensure to Covid-19 measurements of safety.   
c.    Assignment sheets for new assignments will be emailed to students attending.
d.     NO EXAMS: There will be no exams but only classes. Exams from April 2020 will be written during beginning of May 2021 semester. This if cause means that Malawi 2 will write eight exams for current students and four exams for new students. We add two days to the semester in order to accommodate enough time for these extra exams to be written. 
e.    NO ASSIGNMENTS will be handed in during these special classes but students will hand all their April 2020 semester assignments in on the first day of the May 2021 semester.
f.    Between February/March possible semester and May semester will not leave  enough time for most students to do all eight their new assignments. So any assignments not done by May will be allowed to be handed in on the first day of the October 2021 semester without penalty. 
 
3.    THIRD OPTION: If options 1 and 2 fails, Malawi 2 next semester will be from the 5th to the 14th of May. We will then do 6 (SIX) subjects instead of 4. In October we will do 6 (SIX) subjects again to get you back on schedule with Malawi 1 by October 2021. 
 
 
MALAWI 1 (ONE)
1.    Malawi 1 -  January 2021 semester will be postpone till April 2021 under the following arrangements:
a.    Dates: 27th of April to the 4th of May 2021
b.    Rewrites on Tuesday the 27th of April. 
c.    Classes starts on the Wednesday morning the 28th of April till Tuesday the 4th of May at 12:00. All students must plan to leave the compound  on the 4th to clear the premises for the arrival of the Malawi 2 students the next day.
d.    Next semester for Malawi 1 (one)  will be in July from the 21st to the 28th of July 2021.
e.     Between May and July will not be enough time for students to do all eight their new  assignments. So any assignments not done by July will be allowed to be handed in on the first day of the January 2022 semester without penalty. 
 
GRADUATES /GRADUATIONS
1.    DATE FOR official graduation ceremony
a.    Malawi 2 (TWO) official graduation ceremony will be on Sunday the 9th of May at 12:00
b.    Malawi 1 (ONE) official graduation will be on Sunday the 2nd of May 2021 at 13:00.
2.    I will be in Zambia the first week of February 2021, if nothing changes for Zambia in regards to Covid-19 protocols.  If I am able to travel to Zambia I will try and find a way to get the certificates and transcripts to the border between Zambia and Malawi to be collected by someone who could meet me from the Malawi side or maybe someone in Zambia who needs to travel to Malawi. Closer to the time, before my departure, I will reach out to test possibilities. If anyone already know of a situation between the 27th of January and the 3rd of February that could help with generating a solution please contact me privately. I suggest graduates from both schools make sure al outstanding fees are paid as I will only bring the documentation of those with no outstanding fees, including graduation ceremony fee agreed upon by graduates. 
3.    If we fail to find a way to bring certificates as mentioned above we will scan your original certificates and transcripts and send it to all graduates digitally who have no outstanding fees. (This option will exclude the need of graduation ceremony fees to be paid.)
  
MASTER DEGREE CLASSES
1.    Classes for both Malawi 1 and Malawi 2 for next week is cancelled
2.    MALAWI 2  (TWO) - We will be with you directly in contact to see how we will address the situation. There are a few options we will discuss between me and Dr Strydom in the next week and communicate to you our decisions. Worse scenario will be that the next semester dates for you will be 5-14th of May 2021 when you will do 3 subjects instead of two and then again 3 in October 2021 to make up semester behind and catch up with Malawi 1.
A.    MALAWI 1 (ONE) -  NEW Dates: 27th of April to the 4th of May 2021
 
SPECIAL Questionnaire to be answered by all students
1.    We have complied a short questionnaire to all students that must please be answered and return to us as soon as  possible so we could build up a database for dividing the classes into regions if we have to. There is also certain information for each student we need to get on record to make sure we have your latest information and correct details for the Certificates and Transcripts when you graduate.  

To receive the link to this form please send an email to admin@handsonafrica.com requesting a questionnaire to be sent to you.

Please do not give up or get weary. The enemy is working hard to demoralize us and even want some of us to lose heart and consider quitting.   For us this is spiritual warfare. We are in a race for Christ and we must stretch ourselves to make sure we finish well. Our reward is waiting on us who will endure till the end. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of this evil world. We who are in in Christ Jesus are conquerors against any authority that try to prevent us to succeed in doing the work we are called for according to God’s will and purpose for our lives. 
 
In 2 Thes 1:4 Paul boast about the endurance of the Thessalonians. V4: "Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." I therefore pray for you as Paul did for them in 1v11: " With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ
 
Much blessings to you all in Christ Jesus. Thank you for holding us up in prayer before the Lord so that in His wisdom we would be able to keep making wise decisions. 
 
Dr Andre Delport
President

PREVIOUS UPDATE: Update 14 August 2020

1. I hereby announce KENYA and NEWCASTLE semesters for September is now also cancelled.
2. This means that all our schools have now missed ONE Semester.
Gradually positive announcements are made by authorities. However linked to them are so many restrictions that it does not change much of our current situation.
• USA announced opening of international travel on the 6th of August but only to countries who are open to receive foreigners. Currently less than 10% of the world is "green". Even green countries however still have regulations associated with visiting their countries.
• Kenya announced opening of their airports from August but local restrictions still make it impossible for us to visit Kenya and do our ministry work. For example schools, colleges and universities will only open January of 2021. I thought we could get away by meeting in "church" but churches are only allowed to meet for an hour at any given time.
• Malawi announced opening of airports from 1st of September but local restrictions plus the recent new Gazette on Covid-19 makes it impossible for us to return to normal concerning our ministry. With limitations in place our Seminaries will have to operate illegally and this could mean the end of our existence in Malawi. The newly Gazette also add to various restrictions for foreigner visitors. To act with stupidity and impatience comes at too high a risk and not worth the long term consequences. There is just too much at stake.
• Opening of gatherings and schools have many restriction that will be near impossible for us to maintain. Social distancing, limited numbers, etc. will be extremely hard for us to adhere too.
• Currently there is only restricted travel available which makes it expensive and unreliable. Within weeks my flights were changed multiple times.
• E-learning is practically not possible for various reasons. The larger the group the worse it becomes. Majority of our students do not have the financial and equipment resources available. Those in remote areas would be mostly eliminated. There surely are limitations to how many could connect to the same session. HOA currently is not set up for e-learning and our program will definitely lose its effectiveness.

There is however also plenty of administrative obstacles on the immediate future plans Because all schools have now missed ONE semester.
• To try and get every single school of ours to catch up a semester and maybe for some a second semester will administratively be beyond our reach.
• Secondly the financial implications for most students to have to pay for 3 semesters per year instead of two will most likely disqualify a large number of our students.
• Thirdly the pressure of having to mark 50% more assignments (12000 more) and exams (6000 more) in the same year adds to the administrative pressure.
• Fourthly for many students to do and additional 4 assignments and 2 exams per semester might cause a higher failure rate which leads to more rewrite and redos.
• Fifthly lecturers will need 50% more time for preparing and every trip will be at least 3 additional days. In my case it is roughly another 30 days in 12 months and 24 days for Dr Strydom. This if cause is also true for every other lecturer is some way. It therefore make sense, for the good of the majority, to skip one semester (6 months).
• To maintain sanitation requirements, social distancing, limited students per venue, sleeping arrangements, feeding etc. practically will be huge challenge.

This is just to mention a few of the general obstacles we face. So me and Dr Strydom agree on the following way forward.
1. MALAWI 2 (TWO): It deeply sadden me to announce that it has become obvious that MALAWI 2 (TWO) October semester is also not going to materialize because of the restrictions, secondly because our situation makes it impossible for social distancing, thirdly our situation is an ideal setup for the spread of a contagious virus and clearly Malawi is not doing well on testing and reporting statistics. Malawi have not reach the top of their curve and changes is extremely high that we might have infected students or students who are a-symptomatic that will attend October semester. Normally this will not be much of a concern as it is part of life but with the current emergency state situation we could be prosecuted for breaking laws that endanger the lives of Malawian citizens. This will endanger the future of our involvement in Malawi.
2. MALAWI 2 (TWO) is now the first school to miss a second semester. We WILL however do MALAWI 2 (TWO) before we continue with Malawi 1(ONE), to maintain the cycle. This mean Malawi 2 (TWO) in January of 2021 will meet prior to Malawi 1. Malawi 2 will do the subjects from April 2020 in January 2021.
3. MALAWI 1 (ONE) will meet in January directly after Malawi 2 (TWO) and do the subjects of the new cycle they were suppose to do in July 2020.
4. ZAMBIA will in February 2021 do the July 2020 semester they missed.
5. SIERRA LEONE, November 2020 is still going ahead as plan and they will do the June 2020 semester they missed.
6. SWAZILAND will do in first week of January 2021 the August 2020 semester they missed
7. KENYA will do in March 2021 the September 2020 they missed.
8. NEWCASTLE will do in March 2021 the September 2020 they missed.
GRADUATIONS:
1. MALAWI 2 (TWO) - April 2020, changed to October 2020, graduation will now take place January 2021.
2. MALAWI 1 (ONE) - Will still have graduation January 2021.
3. KENYA - Will have the September 2020 graduation in March 2021
4. ZAMBIA - Possibility of having graduation in February although we might decide to actually do it in July/August 2021
5. SIERRA LEONE - next graduation will eb June 2021.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS for finishing students. I am working hard on see how to do this the best possible way. If this materialized, applicable students will be contacted by me directly in the next few weeks.
1. MALAWI 1 (ONE) - Students who were suppose to only do final exams or only rewrites in July 2020 (I invited them to do so in October) will still travel to campus for 2 days in October to write these exams. Their assignments they however will have to email me according to instructions that will be given to them in a personal email. If they complete the work successfully they will graduate in January 2021.
2. MALAWI 2 (TWO) - Students who were suppose to only do final exams or only rewrites in October 2020 will still travel to campus for 2 days in October to write these exams. Their assignments they however will have to email me according to instructions that will be given to them in a personal email. If they complete the work successfully they will graduate in January 2021.
3. KENYA - Students who were suppose to only do final exams or only rewrites in September 2020 will still travel to Migori for 2 days in September to write these exams. Their assignments they however will hand in to Christopher Onyango. If they complete the work successfully they will graduate in March 2021.
4. ZAMBIA - Two students who only have final exams and rewrites to do will travel to compound for two days to complete their work. If they complete the work successfully they will graduate in February 2021.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
1. I do want to encourage all other students to also use this time to catch up on outstanding and redo assignments.
2. With skipping one semester it offers a wonderful opportunity for students with outstanding funds to pay your dues. I hereby extend a special time of grace to all students with outstanding fees. If you will use this opportunity to pay outstanding fees before the end of November 2020 we will not add the 25% penalty to your outstanding fees from your previous semester. This actually gives you between 10 and 13 months grace.
I know this is not necessary will be the suitable answer to each individual student but for the bigger picture this is definitely the most sensible route to follow in the midst of the new "normal". God who ultimately is the One is at work and still touch many broken people through his disciples, you and me. So let us remain focused on the things in heaven and stay focused on the task ahead of us in fulfilling His last command as our first concern. Let the hope we have in Christ continue to be God’s answer to the brokenness the world face everyday. In the Spirit of God let us be the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus Christ to those in need.

Previous Update: May 2020

Regardless on how we personally feel about the current pandemic surely the response to the virus brought more fear and despair than the virus itself. With or without lockdown the virus will continue to exist. No lockdown could kill the virus but it surely limits the spread. As Believers we do however have to comply to any government regulations that are not in direct violation to God's Word. While precaution measures had to be taken by governments to protect the unnecessary spread of this "unknown" virus, personally I believe they did not calculated the cost and impact of an extended lockdown very well. Specially in light of the fact that it will not kill the virus. Unfortunately there is nothing else we could do but to safeguard our loved ones while riding out what now have become a greater pandemic than the virus itself. Like 9/11, this pandemic is going to change the way we are doing certain things for a long time, if not permanently. Fortunately for us, as believers in Christ, our hope is in the Lord and our citizenship is in heaven. So regardless of how earthly ways might change, our mission remains the same. Christ last command remain our first concern. The Gospel of Christ remains the only remedy to the brokenness of mankind.

In America colleges are scheduled to open in September. In many countries opening schools is going be a while. So if Malawi will follow the trend, we most likely look at the opening of Malawi schools only at the beginning of the new school year, which is September. They might move it up to maybe the beginning of August. It is however completely out of out jurisdiction. How this will affect Hands on Africa semesters will be determine on regulations and restrictions included in future announcements by local governments.

Secondly international travel is a huge stumbling block in our way to "normal". It is not only the availability of flights that is an issue but also the local governments quarantine restrictions on, departing or arriving international passengers, impacting our travel schedules. On top of this many countries enforced isolation on arriving foreigners. A nightmare to say the least. Some countries already warned their citizens that they, for the remainder of 2020, will be quarantined in hotels for 14 days on arrival from essential international travel. USA in June are starting some international flights but still nothing to Africa and international travel is only for essential business till 20th of June. This however will most likely be extended till 20 July for non essential international travel both in and out of the USA. South Africa will only be allowed in level 1 of re-opening stages to travel internationally. This will definitely not happen till September of 2020 although many reckon even later than that.

Then there is limitations on public gatherings, etc. Currently to much rumors and fake news add to the confusion.

So all this is out of our control. Myself and Dr Strydom discuss a way forward and this is our conclusion concerning Hands on Africa Seminaries and Learning centre. God willing things will return to normal within this plan so we would not be in need of yet another adjustment.

SCHOOLS EFFECTED
1. Malawi 2: The cancelled April 2020 semester will take place in October 2020.
2. Sierra Leone June 2020 semester will take place in November 2020
3. Zambia and Malawi 1 semesters of July will be postpone to January 2021

This means these schools would have missed one semester. We however will help them to make the lost time up doing 6 subjects each semester for the next two semesters cycles. We will add 2,5 days to each semester to accomplish this
A. Malawi 2 will do 6 subjects in April 2021 and October 2021
B. Sierra Leone will do 6 subjects November 2020 and June 2021
C. Zambia and Malawi 1 will do 6 subjects January 2021 and July 2021.

SCHOOLS NOT EFFECTED
Kenya, Newcastle and Swaziland - next semester will be September 2020. We are fairly confident that by September we will be allowed to travel from USA to Kenya and in South Africa at least local travel will be allowed for Newcastle and hopely Swaziland. If however we are forced to cancel these as well we will introduce a similar plan as above for these schools for 2021.
1. Newcastle South Africa Semester be September 2020
2. Kenya September 2020
3. Swaziland September 2020

GRADUATIONS
1. Malawi 2 April graduation will take place in October 2020
2. Kenya graduation - September 2020
3. Malawi 1 graduation - January 2021
4. Zambia graduation - January 2021

SPECIAL ARRANGMENTS:
1. Malawi 1 students who in JULY 2020 were suppose to write their final exams will be allowed to write their exams in October so they still be able to graduate in January 2021.
2. Malawi 1 students who needs to do rewrites to enable them to graduate in January 2021 will be allowed to do those rewrites in October 2021. Majority of them would be able to do so in the two days mentioned in no 3 below. Those who need more days must however make arrangements with Dr Andre Delport. Only if it is determined that they are in a position to complete all outstanding work in one semester they will be allowed to attend October 2020 semester for more than the two days mentioned in no 3 below.
3. Malaw1 students no 1 and 2 above will write their exams two days prior to the start of the Malawi 2 semester. (Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st of October 2020 - TWO exams per day (Tuesday: 11pm, 15pm and Wednesday: 7:00am and 11:00am) . They also will hand their assignments in on Tuesday the 20th.
4. Malawi 2 will do rewrites on Wednesday 21st of October in afternoon at 1pm and 3pm. Classes will start on Thursday the 23rd of October and end on Wednesday the 28th of October 2020.
5. For Malawi 2 students who was suppose to do April as their final semester with only exams in October to qualify for the April 2021 graduation will be allowed to write their final exams and hand in assignments for the October 2020 semester in January of 2021 at Malawi 1 semester in order for them to still graduate in April 2020. Details on this will be released on assignment sheet of October 2020 semester.
6. Students who want to graduate in January 2021 (Malawi 1) and April 2021 (Malawi 2) must please make sure to use this break to catch up on all outstanding and redo assignments, ready to submit at the October 2020 semester. Some of you are having a large number of outstanding and redo assignments. So please do not waste this opportunity.
7. I do want to encourage all other students to also use this time to catch up on outstanding and redo assignments.

We know God is in control and that this all will work out well according to His purposes and plan for us. In the meantime let us stay focus on the things of heaven, with our eyes set on Christ. Let us serve, in a Christlike manner, as people of hope and light. Let us bring God's answer in Christ Jesus to a broken world. 2 Tim 2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Blessings and love to you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Dr Andre Delport

Dr Andre Delport
President
Hands on Africa