Ask the members of Holman United Methodist Church about their December 2014 trip to the AU campus, and you’ll immediately notice their excitement.
A 24-person delegation made the trip to Mutare, Zimbabwe. The group was led by Rev. Kelvin Sauls, the senior pastor of the Los Angeles-based congregation, and Rev. Judi Wortham- Sauls. Their aim for the trip was to build faith, broaden horizons and invite congregants to ‘be hope’ wherever they find themselves. The group included many persons who have been investing in AU for a very long time.
“The visit to AU really exceeded any expectations that I may have had,” said Mrs. Wilma Pinder, a retired lawyer and former college lecturer. Now Mrs. Pinder and her husband, Dr. Frank E. Pinder III, a psychiatrist, are talking about the possibility of going back as short-term, visiting professors. The Pinders were impressed by the well-maintained and inviting nature of the campus as well as the diversity of the students.
“To get there and experience so many nations under one umbrella really was an exciting situation,” said Mrs. Pinder. “It allows for learning, sharing, personal growth and networking that is unique.”
After spending time in a very frank and wide-ranging dialogue with more than 100 students, Rev. Sauls felt buoyed by the students’ commitment to pursuing stability and prosperity for Africa.
“We could see how AU is building these young people’s faith in God, in themselves, and in the continent,” said Sauls. “So many of them come from challenging situations that have likely shaken their faith in governments and institutions. Yet there is a sense of hope the students have…a conviction that if you dream it, you can work, persevere, and achieve it.”
Wilma Pinder echoed this view. “We will see every dollar we invest in AU multiplied a thousand times in terms of the returns,” she said.
Linda Fuller, a retired businessperson, was impressed to find that young people who had never travelled outside their neighborhoods or countries before coming to Africa University, are embracing the institution’s pan-African ethos and moving forward with a hopeful and unified vision for the continent. Fuller described the experience on campus as “wonderful”.
Since their return from Africa, members of the group have thrown themselves into organizing Holman UMC’s annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser for scholarship funds to support AU students.
While the group was in South Africa, they met Elaine Sauls, a Holman UMC scholarship beneficiary from 2007 through 2009. Sauls, who grew up in Soweto, graduated from AU in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree. She is now teaching at an elementary school in her home community.
“She is very interesting and very appreciative of what we had done for her,” said Dr. Edward Terry, a member of Holman UMC who serves with Wilma Pinder and others on the church’s Africa University Committee.
In August 2015, Holman UMC hopes to accompany a new student on his or her college journey by providing another scholarship for undergraduate studies at Africa University.