Dear Readers,
After visiting the new site and watching ZESA people install the transformer, we decided to drive Joan and Amanda to where the bridge was built ten years ago. We continued on so that they could see where many of the children live that come here to school. We drove as far as Chingwaru Primary School where we had done some work a number of years ago. As we were returning, we passed Mr. Shangwa’s home, one of the Nyamashato teacher’s. We visited a bit and learned that the community well had been broken for some time. People were forced to collect water from unsafe sources. Some collect water from his own hand dug well. He is concerned, as we are, that there could be an outbreak of Cholera or something worse.
As I write, Ralph is out searching for someone who can pull the pump and see what repairs are needed. The cost of the repair will be cheaper than a community of sick people. We hope that through Albert, we can get them to establish a community well repair fund. We have tried in the past without success; however, Albert has such good rapport with the community. He can speak in Shona and he carries a lot of influence.
This picture is of Lovemore and his assistant, Rosemary, in the garden picking Moringa Leaves for drying. We have talked with him about starting Moringa from cuttings. I also had him cut a tree down and leave a stump of about 10 inches or so. I told him that it would sprout new shoots. His face showed his doubt but I was out last week and sure enough a new shoots are appearing. Since then I have noticed that he has planted some cuttings. We will watch and see what happens.
Lovemore, the gardner, is working with a group of villagers to collect mulch from the mountains. He wants to use the mulch to plant the Moringa seeds that I brought with us. With the disappointing results of the well drilling, I am not certain that we will be able to start the Moringa at the site we had planned. Moringa can grow with a small amount of water but does need water in order to become established. We anticipate that there will be some people assembled tomorrow to begin clearing a plot of ground for the Moringa plantation.
A delegation of 11 people from the Zimbabwe Presbytery visited HCOC on Tuesday, July 6. For some it was their first visit. This was a time of getting acquainted for the staff and the delegation. The mileage on the bus was limited and so they were unable to visit the other schools or to see the well that was drilled at Inyagui. They did make a brief stop at the Secondary School to see the temporary Safe House established for abandoned children. A stop was also made at the new site to learn the location of the proposed chapel.
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A meeting was held on Friday, July 9, with the Guardians of Orphans. The meeting was for the purpose of explaining why school fees are no longer being paid. It was explained that donations have dropped off in the U.S. due to the depressed economy. The number of orphans has increased significantly along with the amount of money charged for school fees. Schools are being encouraged to come up with income generating projects that will pay school fees for orphans and also generate income for school infrastructure.
It is encouraging to note that last fall, Ward One schools were granted a grinding mill from the Danish Government for the purpose of helping the schools generate their own income. This was accomplished through a grant written by Mr. Bondeponde, Headmaster at Nyamashato Primary School. The mill is located at Nyamashato Primary School because of the availability of electricity. All funds generated are shared among the four schools in the Ward.
Yesterday, July 10, a grandmother appeared with a three month old infant. She had a letter from the District Administration Office asking for HCOC’s help. The baby is three months old and was born two months prematurely. The mother is critically ill and not expected to live. The grandmother has few resources. So Beauty, the nurse, provided a blanket, several outfits of clothing, baby bottles, and formula from our supplies in the storeroom. This was made possible through all of the things friends at home have donated over the years for shipment to Zimbabwe.
In closing we thank you for your continuing support. We ask for your prayers for these children that have so little. We ask that you pray for wisdom for us to carry out the work here.
In His Service,
Ralph and Roberta