Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase knew the road race would be a tough mental and physical challenge, but he had faced far worse in his native Rwanda and as a refugee.

In the end, he comfortably completed last Sunday’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge under cloudy skies, alongside thousands of professional and amateur riders.

And, more importantly, he raised vital funds for a scholarship programme to put refugees and asylum-seekers through the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). “Education is one of the ways we can help empower refugees to be self-reliant, and make a difference in their host countries,” he said after taking part in the 94.7-km event, the world’s second-largest timed bicycle race.

Pie-pacifique was granted asylum in South Africa a decade ago and now works as an account executive here at Avovision, he knows from experience how important higher education is. “Against all odds, I was able to graduate from university while struggling as a refugee . . . UKZN was the first university in South Africa to change their policy to allow recognized refugees to receive financial aid,” he told UNHCR.

He arrived in South Africa in 2001, fleeing persecution in Rwanda, and is still trying to come to terms with its dark past. “During the genocide [of 1994], we had several attempts on our lives by the interhamwe [a largely ethnic Hutu militia] because we were thought to be moderate Hutus, and later on we were accused of being sympathetic to the interhamwe.”

At his mother’s urging, he set out on a long journey by boat, vehicle and foot that took him through Tanzania and Mozambique to South Africa. “My main goal was to get somewhere where I would be safe, but also could go to university,” he recalled, adding that he had planned to head across the Indian Ocean to Madagascar, “because it was a French-speaking country and my first language was French.”

But he changed his mind after a chance meeting in an internet café in Mozambique with a Congolese man who suggested that he go to South Africa, where asylum-seekers and refugees have the right to work and study. He reached Durban and was granted asylum in November 2001.

In November 2001, he successfully applied to study physics at UKZN but was denied a grant because he was not a South African citizen. Luckily, the policy on financial support was amended and he was able to take up his place with a bursary to cover his tuition, accommodation, meals, book allowance, general allowance and travel expenses.

Armed with a Bachelor’s degree, he easily found a good job as a business systems and data analysis for a major bank. Ever since, and fired by meetings with other refugees, he has been looking for a way to help others get the kind of education that helped him to become a successful professional.

He wanted to do something, so he decided to approach UNHCR, which runs a higher education scholarship programme to promote self-sufficiency among refugees and boost their chances of finding a solution to their situation. So Pie-pacifique approached the University of KwaZulu-Natal Foundation and convinced them of the need to establish a scholarship fund for refugees and asylum-seekers. “We know that among asylum-seekers and refugees there are many talented but needy students and through this fund, we could also help them,” said the UKZN Foundation’s executive director, Bruno Van Dyk.

The challenge was to raise money for the fund. That’s where the “Road to Education for Refugees and Asylum Seekers” project came from. And Pie managed to persuade others to join him in the race.

The UNHCR is fully behind the project, which seems set to become an annual event in the annual event. “This is only the beginning, Pie said, adding: “The Road to Education for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers will continue!”

Written by Tina Ghelli
http://www.unhcr.org/4ecbc7a06.html

Meet Daphney Shiba…

It has been almost 7 months since I have joined the Avo space and the team but it feels like I am part of the furnature. WOW! what an amazing team to work with, a team that has a vision and uses their various strengths to make everything they touch possible. The culture of Avocado Vision is just something else that amazes me and everyone from outside - it blows me away.  Everything from the beautiful view, to the blue-prints of the company gives you a taste of what Avo is all about. It is such a great pleasure to work with everyone who is involved in this space.

I have joined the team as Sales Support Coordinator and PA to the Boss Chick which both gives me an insight to clients and a better understanding of what our sales team are up too. These are not my only focus areas though, when people ask me what I do, I normally say I am the cosmopolitan (everywhere) and a tenderpreneur.

I am a very passionate person who likes adding value to anything I find myself doing, so this has been a perfect fit for me. I have also attended one of our courses “On the Spot” and can’t stop bragging about and the brilliance our trainers bring in the training room. I am so excited to explore more within this space. Thank you to everyone who is an aid to my role and for making Avo such a lovable space to work in!!!

So, Donna, who writes the most beautiful poetry and simply compels you to hear every word she speaks with that stunning accent, is also one of our external trainers.

She was born in Jamaica where she studied law and got her Bachelors degree with Honours. In her own words, she became disillusioned with law after about ten years and transitioned into conflict resolution, training and facilitation, youth empowerment and activism - which is what brought her to SA.

So, enough with all the fantastic qualifications! (Not that we don’t appreciate them Donna…), but lets get a taste of some of that poetic talent already!

Donna has very kindly let us add one of her poems to her blog!

Poetry

Poetry… is definitely me
Is a ting dat really mek mi feel so free
Poetry is ‘ow a lissen to mi soul
Is why a mek mi feelin’s tek control

Poetry… connec’ me an’ you
Becaas it only talk wat is true
Poetry is a voice fram de heart
One of de ways in which a play my part

Wid poetry, yu nuh need no dacta
Yu nuh affi consult no chiropractor
Caa’ poetry … it ease di min’
Like a blessin, someting divine

Poetry is not no 9 to 5
Poetry is wat keep me alive
Poetry, yes a my ting dat
No matta where, no matta wat!
Poetry…

ds 01/01/41

It’s so fabulous I’m almost speechless!

Technically, yes, I am - but sure doesn’t feel like it. The older Avo’s (nothing to do with age, everybody is OH SO young and fab!) have been so warm and welcoming. Coming from a rather different and open industry of entertainment, modelling and television, one would think the change would be drastic. It hasn’t been - my time at Avo can definitely be compared to being on standby for a live television transmission, getting ready backstage for SA Fashion Week or waiting in the wings for a MC gig!

Bottom line, there is never a dull moment at no 3 King Edward Steet, everyday is a thrill!

My more calming (but also challenging) time comes along when I engage in my studies. I am currently studying toward an Industrial Psychology degree - slotting in my evening classes after a day at Avo, is alone, a skill that I am working on mastering.

My journey, getting to Avo: Credit goes to a higher power that was working in our favour that day. So, there I was at another MC gig - nervous as usual (especially after reading the credits and accolades of our guest speaker that I had to introduce), the pressure of getting it right was killing me! I remember thinking, (just from her name, Jules Newton) what a ball of ENERGY!

This awesome lady and I connected within minutes as we waited for the event to start . She didn’t waste time - I mean with everybody!The next thing I knew, she was asking (and mildly intimidating the Gauteng MEC of Education) - him what he thought of the state of education in South Africa. I got the impression that the poor man, who thought he was just attending another event with tea and yummy finger foods, was rather startled at the mini Debra Patta type interview.

She continued, and even before the event had started, she had scared a grown man, filled the room with her energy and offered the MC of the event a job!

My Avo journey began with an inspirational briefing session.

On arrival at Avo for the briefing / interview (because it really didnt feel like an interview), I could not get over the warmth and cheerfulness of the HUGE avocado painting, that met me at the gate. Proceeding up the stairs, I was met by a swimming pool, jungle gym and a tree house (surely I couldn’t be coming for a job interview!). In the waiting room area (a fresh relaxed patio) I was offered something to drink and to EAT!! I politely said no thank you to the eating part of the offer, but I could not help wondering what they would have given me, had I said yes. I have since learnt that the Avo’s energy levels are kept booming by the great food prepared by Mam D (I haven’t worked much, but I am pretty certain this is not a standard at other companies).

It is a pleasure to be of service to the Lion and Lionesses (Sales team) of Avo Vision. I have had a taste of this dynamic team and it’s without a doubt that working under their wings will be an exhilirating experience as well as challenging and even frustrating at times (otherwise it wouldn’t qualify as a job) but without a doubt it will be REVIVING!

I am a General Project Manager and New Business Developer. Avo pays me to look good so until I figure out how to achieve this I will keep myself occupied doing real work. My focus is on identifying alternate business avenues and then implementing an operational plan to turn an idea into a profitable business.

I have previously applied my services in the FMCG, Prepaid airtime, debt collections and lottery industries and have a special love for setting up and managing call centre environments.

I am introverted by nature and definitely not a conformist.

My 5 year old son is convinced that I am Superman (hmmm…I wonder who gave him that idea!)

Most summer weekends are spent on the river in a rubber boat, sometimes fishing and sometimes snoozing. I spend my ‘quiet time” riding my motorbike which is also where I do most of my brainstorming and strategy planning.

I pride myself on being a quality human being and have promised myself to always be surrounded by quality people. Having recently joined Avo and quietly observed the team, I think I may have just found my Eden.

I have a warm smile that would melt any dictator’s heart and would make you feel at ease anytime.

Easy and fun to work with just as long as we finish the task at hand, love having people around me cause we all can learn from each other. And hey “a day without a smile is a waste of it”.

I’m passionate about learning more from other cultures, as well as sharing my own cultural ‘tales’.

Looking forward to working at Avocado Vision!!

I am a strong believer in the universal push and pull that controls our lives. I know our roads are mapped out and we decide which path we are going to ultimately take along the long and winding road. When I came to a fork in the road last year, there was a sign that read “follow me”. I took it and was fortunate enough to be given directions to a fantastic company called Avocado Vision.

I am the new kid on the block at Avo Vision. So what do I do here? I would like to think of myself as the gourmet chef at our company. I get given all the fantastic ingredients, but still have to prepare a memorable dining experience. You get what I’m saying? I am the project manager, baby! The one that puts it all together. So you can count on me to get it done, but don’t ask me to prepare lunch for everyone here!!

It’s been a memorable year so far. I have gone from teaching to project management (talk about a 360 degree career change!) and I recently got married! Wedding pics are on their way - and I promise to bring them to a Kudos and Cockups soon.

I am an old soul in a young body. But don’t get me wrong - I enjoy a good time. I love old music and getting down on the dancefloor. I can shake it with the best of them. As you may already have heard, I was an uncultured bride on the dancefloor at my wedding. I love spending time with my family and friends, reading and a good glass of wine!

Thanks to all of you for welcoming me into the Avo space and for making me feel so at home.

Let’s face it, what’s life without a little SPICE!! And that’s what (I would like to think) I bring to Avo, coupled with some Bollywood Bling and of course my humility of spirit!

To earn my keep, I currently present “On the Spot”. Watch this space for additional courses that I plan on getting involved with.

Training and Development is a new career path I chose to embark on at the beginning of 2006 after being involved in the Travel Industry for about 12 years. While in Travel I saw an increasing need to “up our game” so to speak in terms of service and general business practice. I also enjoyed meeting and working with new poeple all the time so I combined the two aspects and voila, here I am.

To my absolute delight, I find my new career challenging and gratifying, with plenty of room for growth. I joined Avo round about the middle of 2006 while looking for companies for whom I could train. Ok, I was surprised by their unconventional strategies, nothing in my previous corprate experience prepared me for this very creative bunch, more worrying than this was how much I liked it and found everything quite refreshing! Beware, the Avo spirit is contagious… .

Hey all!

So I’m finally a Tadpole. A part of Avo. An employee. Wow, sounds pretty big doesn’t it. Also sounds like a lot of work and responsibility to carry. People depending on me to get the job done, and done to Avo’s extremely high standards. Business image rests on my shoulders. Stress of deadlines. Relentless streams of work, sinking me beneath it. Managing colleagues and managers to develop strong working relationships. Pulling together last minute deals to secure valuable clients. And making superb coffee for the boss to ensure a conflict free day…

So when do I start?

I’m really looking forward to my time here at Avo. I believe it will be full of valuable learning, and it will give me a better education than school ever could. I’m excited and willing. So please don’t ever hesitate to give me a call. I hope to learn something from everyone here because I think that everyone has something exciting to teach me, and I them.

Thanks everyone!

Avo I’m here…

Jono.

Hi people.

Its taken me a while but I’m finally here now, aboard the ‘’Avo bullet-train'’, ready to take charge and be put to action.

I’m Vincent Xethu, a Tadpole at Avocado Vision that has the opportunity to make a difference in this unique company. It’s not everyday that you find places like this and I would like to thank Jules and Elaine as well as the Avo team for their support.

I’m no ‘’Super man'’ yet, but watch the SPACE.