RECENT VISITS

In Fall of 2011, Judy and Tom Duke and Phyllis and Barney Anderson visited our projects in Zimbabwe. It was gratifying to see 32 orphans (with such names as Innocent, Patience, Delight, Prosper and Gift) thriving with Tecla’s ongoing support. They do not live in an orphanage, but with various caregivers, usually an aunt or grandma. Tecla, a very strong Christian, is always there to help them with food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities.

We also visited our lunch program at Monde School. The headmaster reported that attendance is up and the children have more energy. For about $350 a month, we provide corn porridge mixed with peanut butter, salt, sugar, and oil. We also distributed toothbrushes to each student in memory of Tom Grams, a local dentist killed doing humanitarian work in Afghanistan.

Everywhere we went, we handed out packets of seeds and the people were thrilled.

Before we left, we had our party with lots of food, gifts, dancing, and S’mores from America. The children are fascinated and delighted with these sticky concoctions.

We returned home exhausted and grateful to live in America, but with great admiration for the spirit of the people of Zimbabwe!

WE GUARANTEE THAT 100% OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE SENT TO ZIMBABWE. OUR SHONA PARTNER, TECLA MUGOMBA, WILL ACCOUNT FOR ALL MONEY RECEIVED.

2007 Trip to Zimbabwe

Ruth is also named No Thando by Tecla, which mean “God’s Love”. She has no parents and her grandmother dropped her by the home of one of our caregivers and never returned to pick her up. She lay under a mosquito net and had very little to eat. We began purchasing formula and Tecla feeds and cares for her at her home on a daily basis, cuddling and rocking her. Ruth has thrived with the food and attention and her weight has gone from under 7 lb. to 16 lb in three months. At age 7 months, she is sitting up and teething. Formula for Ruth costs $30 a month, and Tecla’s love is free!

This little girl is four years old. Her mother died when she was four days old, so Tecla took her to live with one of our caregivers. As you can see, she is flourishing and is a very bright little girl. Here she is enjoying our American treat, S’mores, which we introduced to the children during our trip in February, 2007. We provide food and clothing for her.

These boys are cousins. Both children are orphans and their grandmother cares for them. One has HIV and tuberculosis. We pay for his food, medicine and hospital bills. They often come knocking at the Mugombas’ door to get food. They are always together and have a strong bond.

This young teenager was hit by a car while crossing a street and is an amputee. She is 11 years old and her mother is ill. We would like to begin paying for medicine for her mother. When she is older, we would like to help her with a prosthesis.

We also help a teen Mom who will turn 17 in June and has a one-year-old baby. We would like to help her return to school, which would cost about $50 for school fees and uniform. We would also like to provide day care and food for the baby, which would cost $25 a month.

Another orphan is seventeen years old and in high school. He is interested in sculpting and woodworking. We would like to provide him with the necessary tools so he could be apprenticed to one of the Shona stone sculptors.

We also help a 16 year old who suffers from skin herpes by paying her medical bills. Her father died 11 years ago and her mother is ill.

These are just some of the children we are helping, and with your support, we can help many more. As you can see, it does not take much to make a difference in the lives of these children.