Greetings to all Readers,
I paid a visit to Inyagui School recently. I was pleased to see that they are attempting to repair some of the buildings themselves. This may be partly due to the renovations taking place here at Nyamashato and the fact that Mr. Bondeponde may be encouraging them to do what they can with community support. Many of the old classroom buildings had only high narrow windows that do not provide enough light or ventilation. This picture shows that they are enlarging the openings in preparation for installing larger windows.
I am impressed and pleased to see them take an initiative in improving their own school. There is still much that needs to be done but this is a big step in the right direction. Mrs. Masunda informed me Thursday that the new windows are now all in place.
Guzha Primary is also showing signs of doing things for themselves. This year for the first time they are providing a garden for the kitchen at their school. This is the first time they have had water. It was last year that a well was drilled and a solar pump installed. The garden is small but it is a beginning.
The classrooms need a lot of work but they have recently painted the outside of the buildings. This has at least improved the appearance of the school.
Yesterday, Albert and I left very early for our weekly trip to Harare. On our way we detoured in order to pay a visit to Grasslands Research Station located outside Marondera. It was a very informative meeting and could potentially be of help here at the mission. We went to inquire about the yellow sweet potato that is promoted by the Helen Keller Foundation because of its high carotene content. The vitamin A is essential for good eye health. They also introduced us to some other crops that could be very easily grown here. They would potentially be less costly to grow and more productive than growing maize. It is going to take a lot of educating the community but the agro-tech people are ready and willing to work with Albert.
The gathering of the church community was held at the township on Thursday, September 6. The turnout was beyond expectation. The theme for the day was Matt. 25: 31-46. It was such a fitting theme for the Mission of the Day. This was the kickoff of churches getting involved in their respective villages and helping the orphans and anyone in need. The meeting was attended by many of the District Officials from District Administrator, Social Welfare, Department of Education etc.
The District officials said they had planned to only put in an appearance but were so impressed they stayed to the end. They even walked with everyone else to visit some orphans in their homes which Albert had prearranged for. It was obvious that everyone was very moved by the experience. When everyone had walked back to the site of the event, people started bringing donations of clothing and food as well as money. Many pledges were made for cement, roofing materials, doors, windows etc. Even some cash was donated. It will be interesting to see who steps forward and offers their time and labor to build or renovate orphan homes.
In Zimbabwe when there is a church function, everyone dresses in their church uniform. It was easy to identify the various churches represented. However, everyone was united in the purpose of the day. This area is largely United Methodist and some Methodist of Zimbabwe that has its beginning in the UK. I, Fred Chigwida and a guest that he brought from Harare were the only Presbyterians present when those present were asked to stand as their church name was called.
Friday, a Provincial meeting was held in Murewa on Malaria prevention. When Albert arrived, he was surprised to see that the meeting had copied his theme from the day before. He was delayed coming home because people who had not known about the gathering at the local township, wanted to be updated on what had taken place. They were hearing so much about the gathering from those who had attended. Some were even proposing that the business community in Murewa sponsor a fund raiser dinner for the benefit of HCOC. This sounds promising. I am hopeful that they do continue to support the project.
It always seems that when it is time to return home a crisis develops. Yesterday, there was a power surge when ZESA came on line. Apparently it has knocked out the pump in the well at the HCOC site. It will probably require a new pump. They don’t come cheaply and I am all but out of money. Without water the builders have had to halt their work. They need water to compact the fill dirt before pouring the slab. I had hoped to see that completed before I came home but it was not meant to be, I guess. Actually, I had thought that they would be starting to brick the walls but this glitch is slowing progress.
The poultry project is being expanded. A new fowl run has been started. I believe the foundation has been dug and they are preparing to pour the footings. Albert has a number of outlets for the chickens. A restaurant in Murewa is taking about 50 chickens every week. Freight World in Harare is a big consumer of the chickens. They operate a restaurant for their staff and employees. Albert delivers chickens to them on Tuesdays when he goes to Harare for Rotary meetings.
This will be my last report from Zimbabwe. My next Journal will come from Denver. Please pray for safe travels as I leave tomorrow for Denver.
In His Service,
Roberta