WHO WAS PASTOR MARTIN TIVANE?
Pastor Martin Tivane was a spiritual giant. His compassion, love and energy were boundless when it came to the care of the orphans in his community. It broke his heart to see their condition– without guardians, shelter or food.
He made it his business to be a fierce guardian of these children… not only seeing that they were fed, but seeing that they were cared for and did not fall prey to sexual traffickers.
For those orphans blessed enough to have a home, he would go to their village huts, examine their cupboards, and fill them with food.
He found that many orphans… children themselves… were filling the role of guardians to their younger siblings.
Without income, these pre-teen ‘guardians’ either fell prey to evil men, or their young family starved.
One of the horrors that troubled him most, was the copper colored hair of so many of his orphans… a result of serious malnutrition.
So, Pastor Martin arranged with the school to allow him to provide a hot breakfast before the start of school each day. He did this without fanfare or anyone knowing. He made this happen by sacrificing a portion of his own wages; for he worked as a businessman to provide for his family, in addition to being a pastor.
In 2010, Marchmin Ministries and ZoeForKids became partners with Pastor Martin in his vision. He envisioned construction of a school kitchen suitable for feeding these 250-300 orphans at least two meals a day.
Sadly, for all who knew and loved him, Pastor Martin was called Home to Jesus and passed from this earth in May 2011. After recovering from the shock of his sudden death, his family, church and friends at Marchmin Ministries and ZoeForKids locked arms… determined to see his vision come to life… WITHOUT FAIL.
CONTINUING PASTOR MARTIN TIVANE’S WORK
In 2013, the Midwest Food Bank, Illinois specially formulated a mix of rice and beans with all the vitamins the kids need for a day including protein. They made it shippable and flavorful such that it would please the palate of a South African child. Marchmin Ministries purchases and ships two pallets of this blend which lasts a full year. The most deprived children are given any leftover food for weekends and school vacations.
Now the orphans had a regular supply of food, BUT the only place to prepare it, was in cauldrons in an outdoor lean-to. Flames Ministries paid the modest salaries of the dear faithful women willing to work in these conditions to prepare the food.
At the same time, ZoeForKids began soliciting and receiving donations to build this kitchen. To bring Pastor Martin’s vision to reality required much more than money. It required meeting with village boards, school management, seeking out architects and contractors, creating architectural and construction plans, getting them approved, finding laborers, dealing with national strikes… and finally doing the actual building! We broke ground for the Center in the winter of 2016. It was hard managing a project that moved at South African speed, especially when the need for it is so high.
After overcoming all the obstacles through much prayer and support (from you) we completed the Center
and a netball/ volleyball/ tennis court!
I would like to thank ZFK long time supporters, Dr. and Mrs. Steven Murphy for funded the tennis court.
The day of celebration finally arrived…
On May 18, 2019, our long held dream –since 2010– has been realized. In honor of our late Pastor Martin Tivane, we have now opened the Martin Tivane Children’s Center!! I had the privilege of representing ALL ZoeForKids supporters.
We gathered at “The Center” (it feels so good to say it) located at the local grammar school in the village of Majakeneng, South Africa.
The entire Tivane family were there as honored guests… his wife, Pastor Alcy and his beautiful children, Praise, Hlayi, Sasi, and Tammy.
The students, beautifully adorned in their native costumes, met with his family, and friends to honor the life and work of Pastor Martine Tivane.
Pastor Alcy had traditional dresses made for both of me and herself.
Our 250 orphans were in attendance for the entire event and given a scrumptious meat stew. They ate like kings and queens along with us. Our new dining hall is big enough to seat over 300 kids.
THE CEREMONY VIDEOS
Here is a peek into the Dedication Ceremony:
Zoe for Kids Director, Sally Herman, gave an emotion retelling of her memories of our beloved Pastor Martin Tivane:
THE CEREMONY… a summary
The dedication ceremony included our kids in native costume entertaining us with dancing…
…accompanied by The Flames Worship Team with their instruments.
A congratulatory note from Bruce Marchiano from Marchmin Ministries was read.
The leaders of the local school board addressed the gathered audience and expressed the community’s gratitude. The keys to the Center were handed over in a ribbon cutting ceremony and thus, new era of provision for our children has started!
Remember the children with copper streaks, a classic sign of malnutrition, in their hair?
I’ll have you know, as I looked out on a sea of happy faces,
… there was not one child with coppered hair at this ceremony which used to be so prevalent!
Our feeding program is working! Our kids are THRIVING and doing extremely well. Having removed their concerns about surviving day to day, they can now begin to dream and live out those dreams, to draw close to our God… and it is all possible because of our God Who cares for the little ones, and Who provides for them through YOU, His faithful servants.
Thank you for your charitable and sacrificial giving… each and every one of you Zoe For Kids supporters!!
LATE UPDATE: Right now our kids need new uniforms and other personal hygiene supplies. I am going to South Africa next week to see about appliances for the kitchen and to measure kids for proper uniforms…
THINGS YET TO BE DONE
- The kitchen still needs finishing touches: cupboards, refrigerators, sinks and accessories
- We need to add a bathroom that could not be fit into the original budget because we encountered extra labor costs for removal of the large rocks and bad soil.
- The school has committed to providing the flooring and better ceiling but there has been little movement. We may need to pick up these components as well.