Check out what’s been going on this week at Villages of Hope-Africa…
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Special Note: thank you to friends (old and new) who came out to visit us at Missions Fest Vancouver last weekend–it was wonderful to chat with each one of you and we look forward to staying in touch!
VOH Chongwe: Fire Safety Training
This week VOH Chongwe conducted fire drills that will help prepare children and staff to respond quickly, calmly, and safely in the unlikely event of a fire. Fire drills play an important role at our Village. During the training we included outside resources as our local fire department conducted the training on the safety and dangers of fire. Afterward, children and staff were gathered to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill.
VOH Burundi: Kenyan Visitors!
At VOH Burundi we were happy to be visited by a group of Kenyans who live in locally. They visited us and brought some clothing, as well as bags of beans, rice and other groceries. They had great times with our children. We appreciate their support and their heart!
VOH Kenya: Primary School Graduates
The beginning of the New Year brings new beginnings for VOH Kenya primary school students, who upon successfully writing primary exams in December are now able to join our Form 1 (Grade 9) class for this new school year! The students are filled with hope and promise of great things to come for their future.
Take David for example, a child of a single mother, living with his grandmother, as his mother is away from home most of the time trying the best she can to support her son. David is excited to start Form 1 next week. He wants to go to high school to improve his capability and understanding so he can find work when he is finished high school. David hopes to be a lawyer.
VOH Kitwe: Help for the Physically Challenged
Recently at VOH Kitwe a connection was made for us to have our physically challenged children be attended to by Beit CURE Hospital in Lusaka. We were thankful we were able to look after all of the travel costs for them to travel from Kitwe to Lusaka, approximately 5 hours away. The medical attention that Beit Cure provides is given without charge; however, without the connection and having the related expenses taken care of, these children would not have been able to receive the excellent care provided by the hospital’s medical team.
VOH Malawi: Grace Graduates!
Meet Grace, the young girl in the pink collared shirt. Grace is 18 years old and our most recent high school graduate at VOH Malawi. Grace came to VOH when she was only 10 years old and now she is off to VOH Kitwe in Zambia to join their remarkable Kachimfya Youth Empowerment Program. We are very proud of Grace and though we will miss her dearly, we are happy to see her continue her education in this next important phase of life.
VOH Mongu: School Supplies Donation
VOH Mongu is incredibly grateful to Church Alive in Johannesburg, South Africa for their amazing contribution towards our school! Church Alive collected donations from its members to put together a stationary pack for every student from preschool to grade 8, filled with school supplies for the year.
The kids were so excited to receive these packs and we know they are better equipped to succeed in the upcoming school year because of them.
VOH Mwanza: Reunion Visit
Many of our children at VOH Mwanza come to us around the age of 5 from another local Babies home. Last week two of these children, a brother and sister who are now 5 and 6 years old, received a very special visitor. Anna who is from Germany volunteered at the Babies home here in Mwanza several years ago for a few months and helped to take care of Sonja and Joseph when they were very little. She then decided once they came to stay at VOH Mwanza she would sponsor them. She was able to make a visit in person along with a friend to see them last week–about 4 years after volunteering and meeting them at the Babies home. She couldn’t believe how big they had gotten and even though he was small, Joseph remembered her.
It was a great reunion and everyone was happy to meet again. We are so thankful for all our sponsors who take up such a genuine care for the children they sponsor. You are part of their story and we are so grateful for your generosity!
Photo of the Week
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