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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.
2. 2 | P a g e
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
