As we reported earlier in our last Tsibogang blog post, we had to let go of the finance manager we hired last year. With God’s help, we were able to hire a successor in February, who has now completed her first month. In the following interview, Christel Hermann asks her about her initial experiences and impressions:
CH: Thank you so much, Khumo, for agreeing to do this interview with me.
You recently started as finance manager in Tsibogang: what experiences have you had so far?
KN: Tsibogang Christian Action is an organization that empowers people in the villages and various institutions (daycare centers, homework assistance, schools) to take charge of their lives. For example, schoolchildren learn to respect their parents and teachers at home and at school. They are encouraged to be obedient and follow the rules. In Tshepanang lessons, the focus is on other things: their self-worth, the fact that they are somebody because God sees them. This helps them make confident decisions. It’s an important complement to what they learn otherwise. So many children can’t read: the after-school programs help them learn something they need for life.
CH: You previously worked in the city administration and have a lot of experience there: what’s different about working in a non-governmental-organization? 
KN: When you work for the city administration, the primary concern is ensuring people have things like water and garbage collection. That was our job. The money for that came from above, so we didn’t have to worry about it.
An NGO like Tsibogang depends on donor organizations. It has to be in constant contact with them and manage the money well. Many of the staff members benefit from the organization’s work and are therefore often the solution to problems in the villages. God is a God of the poor, of widows and orphans; when we stand up for them, we are then messengers of God. That is in the big privilege.
CH: Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve our work in Tsibogang?
KN: It ‘s only a month that I joined Tsibogang. What will help me in future would be to visit all the projects on grass root level (the preschools, the After-school-programs etc.). When I came to know the co-workers of Tsibogang this week, I thought and asked myself: Are they aware how important their work is? I would like to remind them of this time and again.
CH: Thank you so much for the interview, Khumo.