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How I Turned My Dream into a Reality The Dreamer My name is Edmore

Masendeke and I am one of seven children, born to my parents, Fatima and Thaddeus, in Harare, Zimbabwe. I have a twin brother but our lives have certainly taken a different course. In God’s wisdom, I was born with cerebral palsy and that has obviously played a major role in making me the man I am today.

At the early age of four, my parents had no choice but to commit me to an institution where they thought I would be cared for in ways that they could not. Institutional life, however, was lonely and difficult. I used a wheelchair, bicycle or walker until I was twelve years of age, when I finally found the strength and balance to walk on my own, which I have done ever since.

School was sometimes a struggle but I was introduced to the typewriter when I was nine years old and found that it was easier for me to type than write. That discovery changed my life, because I not only I could type, but I also found out that I was a writer – and a talented one at that.

I attended St. Giles School and Rehabilitation Center in my early years but then went on King George VI Memorial School and eventually Victoria High School. The transitions were hard with each change of school, but eventually I mastered my studies and graduated, establishing new record high marks in the process.

After finishing my A levels, I enrolled in the University of Zimbabwe, where I earned a degree in business studies, graduating in 2006. I worked hard, and had a lot of help from my professors and friends. I was recognized upon graduation as the top finance and banking student in my graduating class. In 2005, I had the privilege of working as an intern at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. I must have been a good intern, because they hired me to a full-time position as an economist in 2006, a position I still hold today.

As I stated earlier, my life was changed when I was introduced to the typewriter

and today my computer is my most important tool in life. I have published two volumes of poetry entitled Poems for Life: Overcoming Any Disability to Create a Promise-Filled Life and The Song of My Heart. I know that I will publish more books and poems in the near future.

I now publish a weekly email update entitled Inspiration Online. I have several other writing projects I am working on right now and I see myself as a writer first and

foremost. It is what I love to do. I am also a committed member of

Celebration Church Harare where I am a part of the Celebration Choir and a member of a home cell group. I had the privilege of going to Israel in 2007 with a group from my church and that trip changed my life and the way I read the Bible.

I got my first car in 2007. Since my graduation from university in

2006, I have always wanted to live on my own. I finally attained my goal in 2010, when I got myself a flat in the avenues. In the avenues, I live by and look after myself: I bath myself, dress myself, cook, clean, go to work and do many other things that people without disabilities can do.

I am an independent person. I am living life at full potential. My desire is to help others in similar situations of disability to live life at full potential. I have just begun to do that through

Endless Possibilities. Turning the Dream into a Reality I first dreamt about setting up Endless Possibilities in 2007, but was unable to

do so until February 2010. The initiation of Endless Possibilities was marked by a preparatory workshop at the University of Zimbabwe with 30 students with disabilities.

The deputy dean of student also attended this workshop and was impressed by our message to the students.

We ran four other training workshops with the students thereafter. The topics we covered in these workshops include The Challenge of Transition, Life Planning, Locus of Control and Disability Rights.

The speakers at these workshops were Mr. Petros Phiri (physiotherapist) and myself; Pastor Mati Mukonoweshuro; Pastor Taz Mtungwazi and Pastor Evan Mawarire; and Pastor Mike Tapera.

The students told us that they learnt the importance of maintaining balance in their lives and that they should strive for financial independence instead of expecting to live on charity. The sessions also restored hope in the lives of the students and equipped them for a better life during and after university.

At the start of the new academic year (September 2010), instead of workshop, we ran an apprentice competition for the students. Through a series of tasks, the competition developed the students’ business, communication, research, presentation and networking skills. {continued overleaf}

I am an independent person. I am living life

at full potential. My desire is to help others in similar situations of disability to live life at

full potential.

The students told us that they learnt the

importance of maintaining balance in their lives and that they

should strive for financial independence instead of expecting to

live on charity.

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Celebrations at the Celebration Centre{continuation of story overleaf}

There was a lot of hype about the grand finale among the students – especially those who were taking part in the competition.

The day finally came and we took the students to the Celebration Centre. Everything was spectacular – the set-up, the décor, the food, everything! The students could not but marvel.

The event was graced by several chief executives, entrepreneurs and pastors.

Pastor Tom Deuschle, founder of Celebration Ministries International, was the guest of honor at this event. During his speech, Pastor Tom encouraged the students to dream big and begin to turn their dream into reality.

The finalists all made sterling performances, however, only one of the groups could scoop the first prize. The winning trio took home a laptop and a printer, courtesy of Creative Computers and Linx Computers, who sponsored prizes for the competition.

Sponsorship also came from Celebration Church Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Nyamushaya, and Pastor Taz Mtingwazi.

With the exception of the grand finale, the operations of Endless Possibilities in 2010 were financed with the leaders’ personal finances. Preparing for and running a workshop involved inviting facilitators, seeking clearance from the university’s authorities, and making catering arrangements to feed the students at the end of the programme. These costs were borne by the leaders, even in the running of the apprentice competition.

We closed the year on a high note as we hosted a Christmas party for the students a week before Christmas.

What a merry Christmas it was for the university students, Indeed!

Endless Possibilities Today and Beyond Our Objectives The main objective of Endless Possibilities is to promote an increased level of self-sufficiency among people with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Accordingly, Endless Possibilities promotes the education, economic independence, independent living and social integration of people with disabilities:

Education—formal, informal and non-formal education for personal, professional and public success. Economic independence—employment and entrepreneurship to enhance financial self-sufficiency. Independent living—acceptable options for everyday living in an integrated community and/or personal support

depending on the gravity of impairment. Independent living does not necessarily mean disabled people doing everything for themselves; nor does it necessarily mean being able to live on your own.

Social integration—active involvement and participation in everyday activities from family to international level. Our Core Values

Choice – creating an environment that enables people with disabilities to become who they are as individuals and to self-determine. Furthermore, people with disabilities should be able to determine the type of assistance they require.

Control – as much as possible, people with disabilities should be able to live without being a burden to anyone and achieve maximum possible independence, preserving as much dignity and respect as possible.

Freedom – people with disabilities should be free to make decisions about their own lives and to participate fully in their communities.

Equality – availing of opportunities that were previously not available to people with disabilities due to the attitudinal and physical barriers.

Our Activity Plan for 2011

Activity Objectives Career Success Initiative Seminar April 2011

Equip college and university students from all over Zimbabwe for the successful entry into and continuation in employment and business.

Apprentice Competition August to November 2011

Develop students’ business, communication, research, presentation and networking skills; expose students to real-life work situations; and showcase students’ abilities.

UZ Freshman Induction Workshop August 2011

Facilitate the smooth transition of new students when they commence their studies at the university.

The Ultimate Experience (Kariba Power Station Tour)

Encourage students to be BIG THINKERS!

Everything was spectacular – the set-up, the décor,

the food, everything! The

students could not but marvel.

CAREER SUCCESS INITIATIVE

launching

APRIL 2, 2011

All business executives and entrepreneurs are invited to attend this event.

Call us for full details.

0772 115 438 / 0712 741 761