MARVA Semple is the epitome of voluntarism in the mining town of Linden, selflessly giving her time, talent, skills and resources to the youth of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, since the 1980s. Founder of the Totally Moulding Training Centre, this sexagenarian, doesn’t plan on giving up her duty of moulding the lives of the Linden youth toward becoming skilful and responsible assets to society.

Over the years, Semple, who received several accolades, including presidential awards for her service to the community, would have mentored hundreds of youths at the training centre for free. Both boys and girls and even women have learnt cake decoration, sewing, catering, art and craft among other skills. Reminiscing on how it all started, Marva said, “I use to work at the Bauxite company and every day I would see youths on the road playing with balls or pitching marbles and I went home and said to my husband, ‘I can do something’ and I decided to start a Bible Club since my yard had a lot of space.

“I was a Sunday school teacher and choir mistress. I went and buy some strips and I begged for some and we set up the place. The whole yard use to full with children, we use to get like 38 or 39 children when we started the Sunshine Bible Club,” Semple related.
As the children grew, she knew that Bible lessons were not enough for their development and possessing so many life skills and other talents, so she decided to start the Totally Moulding Training Centre where the children would learn various skills such as art and craft, decoration, sewing of pillowcases, cushions, towels, bags, laundry bags, belts etc. As time progressed, Semple got other persons involved to fill the gap where she fell short. Teachers, nurses, tailors, designers, amongst others came on board to lend a helping hand. “They learned to make candles, soft toys and so forth because we moulded them in everything hence the name of the club. They learned everything even academics, drama and impromptu speech.”

Later on, other women in the community wanting to benefit from the skills being taught, joined in which is why the group now involves teaching youth and adults valuable skills. “The place use to be packed, over 100 and something persons, the whole of Block 22 use to pack up in my yard,” Semple said jovially. As the programme grew, Semple approached UNICEF for help since she was using her personal items for the practical aspect of the classes. The organisation decided to construct a building for the cause but unfortunately, Semple did not get to move the classes into the multipurpose centre and decided to construct her own little building at the front of Block 22.

Since the classes are free, the students would bring their supplies from home to practise. “I teach them to be generous and to share so [for example] if one short of some essence and the other has, they must share with each other because I am sharing my talent and skills with them for free,” she said. The programme received support from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Protection and a nine-month course was instituted. The students were given a certificate at the end of the course so as to be qualified for meaningful employment. Semple said that over the years she has seen the results of the Centre’s motto, ‘Making a change’ and that is what gives her the most satisfaction. Many of her students were able to use their skills to earn a living. She does not plan to stop any time soon and believes this is her life’s purpose.

“Every time I give out, is like I learn something new, and I told God I don’t want my talent to be buried inside of me, so until he is ready for me I will share my talent and I don’t think that will be anytime soon because when I am around the youth, I feel I am young just like them,” Semple said.