Construction has begun on the building that was meant to serve as a garage. Two rooms had been designed on one side to serve as tool storage and storage for the roto-tiller and wood-chipper. Since the organization has no office space, the two rooms are going to be finished at this time to serve as temporary office space. One office will be Godfrey’s office and the other will serve as Albert’s office. These offices will be about 12’ x 12’ each. This is not ideal but will have to do for the time being. We are very short on buildings.
Gaylord Gundani is an orphan boy who has done very well in Secondary School. He is presently attending Boarding School to earn his “A” levels. When he has completed one more year, he will be ready for the University. He is presently being sponsored by a Rotarian in Harare. The computer he is holding is a laptop given to him by the Rotary Club. Gaylord is very proud of the laptop and wanted to thank Rotary for helping him with his education. Gaylord has been selected as Head Boy at his school. He needs a special uniform for this position but does not have funds.
The Orphan Home is basically finished. There are just a few last minute things to complete. We have one of the bedrooms complete with cabinets for storage and all. Both children’s rooms are furnished. All that is left is to have cupboards (closets) put in the Mother’s room. The entire interior of the house received a fresh coat of paint on Thursday. It was just in time for the dedication of the Orphan Home on Friday. The rooms are designed to accommodate six children. The rooms accommodate three sets of bunk beds each. The mother’s room is large and could, if necessary accommodate two baby cribs.
Beauty, our nurse, found a woman who makes bedding. She has agreed to make comforter covers and liners for cooler weather, fitted sheets and pillow cases for the children’s rooms. Samples are shown above. The lady is willing to do all of this for the budget that Vickie had figured on. The rooms are really cute and should delight any child. The children coming here will be ones that have nothing. Some of our visitors yesterday indicated that they wanted to stay.
Best Maridzamyera came today to thank us for our support over many years. When I first met Best, his parents had died and he was living with a Grandmother. One day she left and never came home. He came to Nyamashato seeking help. Now, he has completed his “A” levels but is not employable because he has no Birth Certificate. Obtaining a Birth Certificate is not as easy as it may seem. Much effort has been put forth but to date nothing has happened to give him hope.
November 8 was a big day at HCOC. The first Orphan Home was dedicated and opened for the community to see. Hundreds of community members came for the event and even a majority of the students from neighboring schools. Students and Community Members provided entertainment. At one point all of these people filed through the house, going in the back door and out the front door.
Some didn’t want to leave, they wanted to move in. I will admit that it has turned out to be a nicer home than anything around this community. I am not sure whether this is a good thing or not.
Rev. Gumunyu spoke using the theme of LOVE. People listened attentively. We were proud to have him present. He plans to begin the Spiritual Training of the children on Monday.
Chris Ediyeti has recently graduated from Agri-tech College. He graduated with honors. Chris has been hired to be over all of the Agricultural projects for HCOC. He is going to be a big help to Albert and relieve a lot of stress. This will include the poultry project, garden and most importantly the Moringa Project. Chris has spent the week-end here looking at what needs to be done. He admits he has a big job ahead of him. Immediately, he plans to expand the poultry project.
This will be my last Journal from Zimbabwe. Vickie and I will be packing up on Monday for our trip home. We will go to Harare on Tuesday and spend the night. Wednesday we will leave Zimbabwe for the U. S. It has been a busy two months. Pray that our travels home will be safe.
In His Service, Roberta