“I am blessed to serve in the role as the Director of Open Schools Worldwide and to run with the vision of the co- founders who, from different continents and backgrounds, lived the words from Isaiah 58:6, “to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free”. This was the starting point eighteen years ago for Open Schools Worldwide that helps marginalized children and trains local Christian partners to provide basic education while sharing Christ’s love. What a simple, powerful formula with the potential to change and transform lives here and for eternity. “
Martha was among the thousands in South Africa who had lost their jobs last year due to the pandemic. As the eldest child in a family of 6, the pressure to support the family rested on her shoulders. In many cultures in Africa, it is common practice that the oldest child works and provides the financial means for the parents.
Martha
“I
had lost my job during lockdown and had no source of income to assist my family.
My father did not realize that I would
no longer be able to support him. I felt that God wasn’t there for me and I
stopped socializing with people. It was tough,” said Martha in tears, as she
recollected the trauma of it all.
It
was at that time that she volunteered for the Open Schools Worldwide training
through her church, Community Ministries, in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
“The training changed me. It touched me on a personal level, particularly during the ‘Route 86:11’ board game. I couldn’t finish the game. It became very personal and challenged me. It helped me find myself by understanding that there is a reason why we go through trials in life. It was a gift from God that ended with me wanting to be part of the program,” she shared.
The
Route 86:11 game is based on Psalm 86:11. ‘Teach
me your way, Lord, that I may
rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name’.
After the training, Martha reached out to others for help. “I had been in a deep trench. To regain my self-confidence, I started interacting more with people from church and received counselling from a lady pastor. My spiritual life improved, changing everything for me. I felt like Christ was back with me and I was back with Him. The relationship was better.”
God was at work in her life, healing her relationship with her father. “My father, who was born in Malawi, had never been happy with me wanting to become a teacher, because those who teach in Malawi are not paid much. His plan was that I should get an education, go to university, work, earn lots of money and assist him financially. However, all his efforts to get me a job failed.
When
Open Schools started their community ministry, I told him that I was going to go
to church every Saturday to serve in this program. Every weekend was a struggle,
but he finally began to see the reality of the situation. He started to accept
my hopes and dreams and even began sponsoring food for the Open Schools program
that we started in the community!”
Martha’s
dream is to give back to the community. As someone who narrowly missed being married
off as a child, she wants to open her own non-profit organization where she can
help children who are marginalized and vulnerable, the orphans and the victims
of child marriage.
“Last
year, I blamed God for everything, without realizing that He gives and He takes
away. He opened my eyes and put me on a new path where I can engage with more people.
He changed my life for the better,” Martha said emotionally.
https://openschoolsworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/openschoolslogowhite.png00Rohanhttps://openschoolsworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/openschoolslogowhite.pngRohan2021-04-27 07:00:252021-05-05 04:03:00A Journey Back to God through the Pandemic
With deep sorrow we learned that Dr Vivian Subramoney, the
chairperson of Open Schools Worldwide, passed
away on New Year’s Day 2021. Vivian, or Viv as he was affectionately known
suffered from complications caused by the COVID-19 virus. In a great outpouring
of grief, many friends and acquaintances expressed their sorrow at having lost
such a spiritual giant.
Dr Phil Renicks, co-founder of Open Schools, distinctly remembers
the first time he met Viv. “We met
for a meal at a restaurant, but before Vivian took a bite of his meal he asked
the server for a take-away box putting half of his meal in it. When we left the restaurant, he gave it to a
homeless person sitting outside on the street. This was the Viv that we knew,” he
said.
Vivian loved his family and this was apparent in his life.
“His favorite thing to do was to spend time with his family, especially his
grandchildren. He loved them dearly and would see them every day. On weekends,
he would visit them and they would make tents using sheets and blankets. Tata,
which is what they called him, would soon have the children in fits of giggles
as they camped out on the floor,” said Angie Pape, Director of Open Schools
Worldwide, who worked very closely with Vivian.
Vivian was born on 16 December 1960 in Northdene, Durban.
After 2 years of Bible College, he served with the Apostolic Faith Mission,
before pastoring a church in Johannesburg. He moved to Durban where he met his
wife Dru. A few years later, they moved back to Johannesburg where Vivian
started working at Emseni Hospital, a shelter for the destitute, homeless, and
orphaned. He served as a director of Scripture Gift Mission and was actively
involved in the development of the Pavement Project, a ministry counselling
program to help marginalized children who have experienced trauma.
He later joined Open Schools Worldwide and was instrumental
in developing the tutor’s training materials and the Route 86:11 Board game.
His strong leadership skills were indispensable during a difficult period in
the life of the organisation.
He was a critical thinker and loved God’s Word. He received
his doctorate in December 2019 for his thesis on ‘Pastoral Psychology, The
Recovery Factor’, the focus being on the Transformational Healing Ministry of
the Church in addressing the needs of people exposed to severe trauma. He also
studied Industrial Psychology, Human Resources Management, and Labour Law, and
served as a Labour Consultant in South Africa.
During his lifetime, he
helped establish two hospitals, shelters for destitute people, training centers
for unemployed people, a home for abused and abandoned children, two street
children’s shelters and numerous church plants.
In addition to all this, he volunteered with the South
African police force. “We were in his car once and a call came on the police radio.
Vivian suddenly set off at a high speed. He pulled his blue light out from the
glove box and put it on the car roof. I asked Vivian if we could slow down. But
Viv said, ‘people might be getting hurt, I need to get there’. That was his
concern, always for people,” said Dr. Alan McIlhenny, co-founder of Open Schools Worldwide.
He was passionate about marginalized children and those who
were educationally deprived. His actions and life work reflected Proverbs 22:6,
‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,
he will not depart from it.’ He was very relational, larger
than life, and would make you feel special and valued. When visiting the Open Schools projects, each
tutor and learner felt his compassion and love. Vivian also had a very close
personal relationship with Jesus and helped the tutors create opportunities to
support the children’s spiritual development.
“We are so blessed to be able to carry on Vivian’s legacy,
and, in fact, double the work that he co-started. We will make him proud and
miss him every day,” added Angie.
https://openschoolsworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Viv-with-wife-cropped.jpg421903Rohanhttps://openschoolsworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/openschoolslogowhite.pngRohan2021-01-25 03:35:042021-01-25 03:57:23Remembering A Spiritual Giant
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6