Orphaned children struggling to survive are at risk of exploitation and abuse.
When placed with extended family, unable to afford another child, the orphan may be deprived emotionally, neglected, or not fully integrated into the new family. These children have  lost  both parents and experience the pain of hunger with the uncertainty of not knowing from where their next meal will come.

In the year 2000 Ralph and Roberta Pippitt determined there was more that could be done to assist the orphaned children.   They consulted local Zimbabweans who provided guidance in the direction they felt they should go in providing this care.  These local Zimbabweans stressed the importance of allowing the orphans to remain in the rural areas of their community as opposed to moving them to some type of structured or institutionalized environment.  By leaving them in their communities, these children would continue to learn the skills needed to survive in their community as young adults. The idea for Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care (HCOC) was born.  The orphan care center consisted of feeding centers built next to schools where the orphans could attend school and then be fed two meals per day.  Cooks were hired to prepare the meals thus providing employment for local individuals.

In addition to building the feeding centers, school fees are also paid for the orphans.  This allows them to attend school and receive daily meals while minimizing the financial burden on the family or community members they are living with.

A small one-room clinic was built in 2003 so that the orphans could receive medical care from a registered nurse.  A new clinic is currently under construction and will not only allow continued medical care for the orphans but for the entire community.

This model has continued since its inception.  We now have 3 feeding centers adjacent to 3 primary schools and the community continues to embrace the orphan care center concept by providing homes for the most vulnerable children of HCOC.