Bethel Business and Community Development Centre

Experiential Education for Enterprise, Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development

Frequently Asked Questions

Prospectus:

Organizational Profile:

 

Mission Statement: To design and manage innovative learning environments for young men and women in Lesotho that elicit general engineering skills, business savvy, manual capabilities, applied sciences and leadership and management abilities that address the needs of rural and urban development in Lesotho, and to pursue financial self-sustainability through self-reliance, commercial endeavor, and responsible environmental management.

 

Strategies: By implementing leading edge paradigms from the fields of Authentic Learning, Permaculture, Sustainable Development, Biological Engineering, Ecology, Environmental Management Systems, and Renewable Energy, BBCDC is aiming for rapid economic growth combined with environmental regeneration.

 

Primary Fields of Operation: Education, Self-reliance, Research and Development, Extension, and Commercialization.

 

Objective: To achieve a real economic growth rate of 10% per annum and to confer that capability on our students, the community we serve, and our institutional interactions.  Indications of this growth will be demonstrated by cash flow, asset growth, innovation, environmental restoration, demand for goods and services, and qualitative accomplishments.  The immediate objective is wealth creation together with sustainable employment opportunities, and the ultimate goal is widespread middle class prosperity and freedom based on ecological integrity. 

 

Bankers:         Nedbank: Mohales Hoek Branch

                        PO Box 25, Mohales Hoek 800, Lesotho

                        Tel. +266-785227

                        Fax. +266-785489

 

Auditors:         Letuka and Associates

 

Location:        Bethel Mission, Lesotho (Visible on Google Earth)

                        GPS Coordinates: S30º14.324

                                                    E027º51.071

 

Email:             bbcdc@ilesotho.com

Website:          www.bbcdc.org.ls

Phone:                         5874-2991 or 5901-1384

 

School Committee: Malefu Tshola: Chairperson; Pitso Tsosi: Bishop’s Representative; Ivan Yaholnitsky: Secretary and Principal;  Mamahase Mahase: Staff Representative;  Kopano Heisi: Parents’ Representative;  Matheabia Kori: Parents’ Representative;  Marethabili Raseboko: Parents’ Representative.

 

 

 

 

Education at BBCDC:

 

BBCDC addresses the need for practical education and skills required for rural and urban development, and commercial enterprise.  The two year residential course is open to young Basotho men and women.  Education is "hands-on" with a focus on self-reliance and income generation.

 

Course aims:

·         To instill a spirit of dedication and teamwork in the pursuit of common objectives.

·         To equip students with practical skills related to the needs of rural and urban development.

·         To develop an understanding of appropriate technology and natural resource management.

·         To develop capacities for building household and community infrastructure through use of basic techniques and local materials.

·         To develop resourcefulness and problem solving skills.

·         To analyze those forms of technology and social organization which foster harmony between people and the environment.

 

The course places special emphasis on:

·         Basic science and its practical application.

·         Solar energy utilization and energy studies.

·         Water resources development.

·         Environmental regeneration and household food security.

·         Rural, urban and peri-urban infrastructure.

·         Appropriate technology including IT. 

 

Course Structure and Contents

All courses are inclusive and Co-ed.  Theoretical lessons are paced with time spent on real world income generation or infrastructure projects.  Currently two separate streams are offered, each for two years: 

 

Stream 1:

Solar Technology

Building Construction

Metal-work

Wood-work

 

Stream 2:

Food Enterprises, Eco-Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Environmental Science

Business Development and Management

Agro Ecology and Permaculture

 

First year topics and activities provide foundations for the second year.  Time is allocated for individual projects.  Students are assessed according to their skills, knowledge and experience.  Special emphasis is plaed on SMME development in all courses.  Upon completion of the two years, students are awarded a Certificate of Applied Science and Technology. 

 

The school year runs from mid-July to the end of May.  Students receive a midday meal Mon. - Fri.  Students are expected to work diligently at all times. At present, students who are admitted are sponsored by the National Manpower Development Secretariat.  Students are expected to pay a modest quarterly fee of M400.00, as the resources provided by NMDS do not cover the cost of teachers’ salaries, operating costs, food services for the students or sufficient materials.  At present BBCDC only has two granted teachers out of a total of 8. 

 

Learner Support

BBCDC maintains a well-equipped work-shop that includes: 4 welders, a 1.7 Kw solar mini grid, and a 15 Kw standby generator, and power tools for metal-work, wood-work, and construction.  Several different water systems and sources are used on the campus for application and demonstration.  Solar energy is used extensively and includes systems for: lighting, cooking, radiative cooling, space heating, water pumping, day-lighting, drying, and plant propagation.  Heavy equipment includes 2 tractors, agricultural implements, 2 concrete mixers, tipper trailer, and feed milling machine.  The agriculture program includes shade tunnels, drip irrigation systems, sprinkler irrigation, orchards, greenhouse, and a designed landscape. Facilities also include 4 classrooms, 2 kitchens for food sciences and a solar energy applications laboratory. 

 

Academic Policy

While academic testing and written assignments are routine, BBCDC also nurtures individual talent through team work and practical projects.  BBCDC was founded in 1993, primarily with the support of UNICEF and the Bishop of Mohales Hoek, to address the needs of the large Diaspora of early school leavers, single mothers, AIDS orphans, and out of work youth in Lesotho.  BBCDC works hard to make a quality educational experience accessible and affordable.  It can only do this by operating a competent income generation program in conjunction with its educational program. The Certificate of Applied Science and Technology is awarded at level I, II, or III. 

 

Residence

Basic accommodation is available for male boarding students at Bethel Mission.  These facilities are currently being refurbished, and will improve significantly over the next six months.   Female students are housed in improved facilities on the BBCDC campus that include lights, hot water, kitchen facilities, and indoor toilets.

 

Registration for the session beginning in Aug. 2011 will take place on the BBCDC campus from March onward.  Interested students must register in person.  Fees for the session beginning in Aug. 2011 will be set at M400.00/quarter.

 


Q: How do I get to BBCDC?

A: There are two ways to get to BBCDC.  The first is by road.  If you are travelling from Mohales Hoek towards Quthing, turn left at the sign to Phamong just before the Senqu River.  If you crossed the Senqu River, you have missed the turn.  Follow the winding mountain road for 60km until you reach a junction with a sign and an arrow right to BBCDC.  Bethel Mission is about 3 km from this junction.

The second way of getting to BBCDC is via Mt. Moorosi and the rowboat across the Senqu River.  You can drive down to the river or leave your car in Mt. Moorosi.  Shuttles leave for the boat crossing from in front of the PEP store regularly between 0900 and 1600.  In winter, when the Senqu River is low it is possible to cross the river with a 4x4 or good pick up truck. 

Q: Does BBCDC pay taxes:

A: Yes we do!

Government of Lesotho Supplier Code:  SP1035
TIN #:   1006744-7
VAT Reg. #:   1513950
Licence to Trade #: TR-F1072