Andrew Phiri: Farm Manager
Hi! My name is Andrew Phiri. I am married with four children, two girls & two boys. I am a trained Pastor with a Diploma in Theology majoring in Pastoral studies. I would like to share my experience working at Arising Life Ministries farm. I joined ALMS in May 2017. My journey with ALMS has been an interesting one but of course with many challenges and surprises. As a Pastor I wondered how I could possibly work with farming activities rather than with human beings to pastor.
Steep Learning Curve!
I have been empowered to learn how to look after animals well: pigs, cows, goats and poultry. I have learnt farming as well: vegetables, groundnuts (peanuts) and maize. I have learnt how to make concrete blocks and operate the block-making machine.
The best and most interesting thing that has happened to me at ALMS is to witness members of the community who have been helped by the Mission in terms of providing employment opportunities to them for constructing a four-classroom block in Kaloko. More than fifty (50) with different skills have worked at ALMS without partiality. I have been privileged to be part of the Project Management team as I have been a general supervisor to ensure that the construction teams are doing the right thing. I have also been the custodian of all the construction materials keeping a good record of all the material delivery and distribution of the same to different construction teams. Therefore, I have learnt to be faithful and accountable for everything in my custody, while keeping all records properly and the environment clean and safe.
Challenges
Some challenges that we faced as a Project Management team was managing different people with their different temperaments, especially when the delivery of materials was delayed, there was water shortage, or no electricity delayed payments especially during holidays when the banks are closed etc. I learnt to be patient, and to speak with respect to all the workers irrespective of the job they were doing. I learnt to speak with wisdom and to be truthful in whatever I communicated to the workers. I also learnt how to do quality control at every stage of the construction work, and to undo what was not right.
Outcome
I am happy to report that the construction project is now finished without any case of missing materials. There has also not been any record of an accident during the construction period. We are grateful that all payments were made on time, including my salary and other wages. In this era of Covid 19, we have seen a miracle through the construction of this memorial school of Mr. Graeme Blair.
I wish to take this opportunity to say thanks to the Alms Director, Joyce Chimbila, and other Board Members for entrusting this responsibility into my hands as we had good team work. I have gained a lot of experience and improved my pastoral caring. I also wish to thank all our supporters through your team for sponsoring this worthwhile Project. The surrounding community is very excited about this school and many can’t wait to be part of the school by bringing their children to this famous school. Thank you again and God bless your hard work and generosity in managing to raise this kind of money to construct this quality school.
Written By: Andrew Phiri
Andrew is responsible for all income-generating activities at the ALMs land.
Andrew & His Family
Andrew On Site