April 30, 2018
Journal 2
Greetings from Zimbabwe,
Allen, in the center of the picture, is an orphan. His grandmother is on the left. She is an Orphan Care Giver and has been from the beginning of the Orphan Care Program. Fifteen years ago she came to me crying and begging for help. She had a baby that was seven days old. The mother, her daughter, had died in child birth and the father had passed away a few days earlier. The grandmother had no way of feeding the baby and she was begging for help. Ralph and I headed for Harare in search of formula and baby bottles. We were finally successful but it wasn’t easy. Formula was very difficult to find, but our goal was finally accomplished. Today was the first time I had knowingly seen him. He is a fine young man. It was such a pleasure to meet him. This is only one example of why I do what I do.
This afternoon Beauty took us to visit some orphans. Aaron is 16 years old and lives alone. After his parents died he went to Harare to live with
relatives. He was abused and so he ran away and came back to the rural area. He is attending the Secondary School at Nyamashato. Life is tough for these young people but he is trying to stay in school. He was happy to receive the food supplies we had brought. These children desperately need clothing. I wish it was still possible to ship container loads of supplies as we used to do.
Blessing and Blessed are 16 year old twins. Their older brother was not at home. He was herding cattle for someone. These boys attend Nyamashato Secondary School. Several years ago HCOC built a two room house for the boys. I believe this happened in 2013. Their living quarters were falling down and gave little protection from the weather or much of anything else. Things were neat and clean when we paid a visit today. They are making the best of a very difficult situation.
The poultry project is continuing to expand. You will notice that a security fence has been installed inside the electric fence. This is an addition since I was here last year. This is a second line of defense to protect from intruders, goats and otherwise. The picture on the right shows a wheel wash being installed that trucks coming in and out will drive through a disinfectant as they enter the poultry compound. The gates will be kept locked except for deliveries and pick-ups. New baby chicks arrived yesterday. Unfortunately, the poultry market is in a slump at the moment. I don’t know if it is just a seasonal issue or not. Schools resume on May 9thand that will help HCOC. Murewa Mission buys 300 chickens a week from HCOC. HCOC also sells to other Boarding Schools.
This is a view of the Moringa Processing Building. The construction is way behind schedule. However, work is in high gear since I arrived. Friday, we sat down together and made a time schedule for completion of the building. If things stay on schedule, it should be complete by May 25th.
We are expecting the dryer to arrive in Harare next Thursday, May 3. Albert’s Rotary Club is handling the importation of the dryer and I am hoping the delivery to the site. I plan to leave the dryer crated until the building is complete.
Through one of the Rotarians, I understand that we have been exempted from paying duty but will have to pay vat tax. At least it could have been worse.
Yesterday, Saturday, was the last Saturday of the month. People in Zimbabwe and Denver pray at the same time and pray for the people and their needs. Stewart had a group of orphans present. He handed out the greetings from people at Canyons. Inside each envelope was a little red Bible. Stuart explained to the children how to take care of it and to carry it in their pockets where ever they go.
In His Service,
Roberta