Greetings from Zimbabwe,
The pace has changed a bit since Erik left. We were on the fast track during his stay. Albert did his best to show Erik as much as possible during the days he was here. Erik indicates that the trip home was more taxing than coming over. I don’t look forward to that part of the time here.
On Monday, September 28, Erik’s last day at HCOC, we went to Albert Kambanga’s home. He is an older orphan but is struggling to exist. He has buried both of his parents and all of his siblings. He has no immediate family. His Rondavel was in serious need of repair. The termites had caused serious problems. Albert gave Erik a uniform and said we had work to do. When we arrived, the thatching had already been removed and preparations were under way to put a new roof on.
However, more serious structural problems had to be addressed first. 
In addition, the homestead had no toilet. 
A pit was dug in preparation of building a new toilet.The little girl in the picture at the left was from the neighborhood and loved having her.
This morning before church, Albert and I drove to the site to see what progress had taken place during the week. We found that a new door frame had been installed, the walls had been plastered with cement inside and out and a new thatched roof was in place. Two window frames had been installed for lighting and ventilation. Albert, the boy who lives alone, was busy helping the builder. They were preparing to put a new floor in the rondavel. More improvements are needed but this is a super beginning.
In the picture on the right, Georgina Martin is on the left. She spent overnight with us a week ago. She is from the UK and taught at Nyamashato Secondary School for one year 20 years ago. She came here right after graduating from college. Recently she had found Renewed Hope website on line and had communicated with me for about a year. She was in Johannesburg on business and took time to fly to Harare to visit the place she remembered. She knew that I would be here and wanted to meet up. We had a packed few hours trying to catch up. She was very impressed with all that she saw. Her hope is to raise money for the mission. We never seem to have enough.
A week ago, the schools recognized outstanding students. It was on this day that Erik and I passed out some of the items we had brought with us for the students. On the left the Secondary School soccer coach is seen holding two of the balls we brought with us. On the right two outstanding Primary School children are holding the balls that we gave to their school along with an air pump. These will be much appreciated during competition. Thanks to CACC Physical Therapists for their donations.
Pictured on the left is the new staff house recently completed. Unfortunately two families are sharing one house. This is certainly not an ideal situation. Since there are many bricks on site, I have suggested to Albert that they start another house right away. The septic tank is completed and it was designed for use by multiple houses.
Working in such a rural area, there is no housing for rent. As the mission continues to grow, there will be need to bring trained people in to fill available positons. Housing is going to continue to be a challenge.
Whenever there is a camera visible, there are always many willing subjects. On the left are two little girls that we gave a ride to along with their mother. The mother was a cook at one of the schools and was on her way to work after taking the children to the clinic.
The children on the right are preschoolers and they came running when they saw me get out of the truck with my camera. These children with so very little seem so happy.
This is the season of the Jacaranda. The trees are blooming everywhere and in many places the ground is covered with blossoms that have fallen. Some streets in Harare are purple with fallen blossoms. The beauty is in contrast to the many people lining the streets begging you to buy whatever they are selling so that they might have enough money to buy a plate of Sadza. The scene is so sad and with no promise of improving in the foreseeable future. On Tuesday I spoke with several Rotarians who are closing their business at the end of the month. They say that they are only working to pay the rent.
Today, another 1,000 baby chicks arrive. The older chickens have all been sold. Another batch is in the process of being marketed. In two weeks chicks that were just a few days old when I arrived will be ready for market. It is a constant cycle around here. The workers are constantly busy keeping up with all the work of cleaning, sanitizing, feeding etc.
Supplies have been assembled and work has begun to build a two room house for Innocent. This will allow his sister to come and stay with him. This has been a wish of his for over on year. Community members are volunteering their labor to build the simple structure. HCOC is providing the materials needed. At the moment we are waiting on a truck load of cement. It reduces the cost per bag by several dollars when purchased in quantity. The community has already constructed a toilet and bathing room.
Please pray for Innocent, the boy pictured above. He has nothing but tries so hard to make it on his own. He even attempts to pay his own school fees.
In His Service, Roberta