Welcome to our weekly news roundup! Here we share stories from each of our Villages about our Programs, celebrations, children, and staff. If you’d like to receive these updates via email, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Join us for Missionsfest Vancouver!
Once again we will have a booth at Missionsfest Vancouver from January 26-28th. The event is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For more information, click here. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kitwe: 14th Annual Graduation Ceremony!
As is the tradition of our schools to celebrate graduation for grade 12s, VOH Kitwe had 53 graduating students this year at our 14th annual graduation ceremony. Families came together and congratulated their children. The Area Councilor was present to give a congratulatory message from the Government and present certificates of high school completion to the students. One of the local Board members encouraged and prayed for the students.
The student representative offered a message of thanks to VOH Africa as well as the VOH Kitwe local leadership for everything that is done for their education. VOH is fulfilling one of its mandate and mission by providing education and we thank all of our partners and sponsors for this success!
Burundi: Learning to Sew
VOH Burundi was honored to receive a team from Cross Church in Winnipeg. The team members are working hard to teach 8 of our VOH Burundi children’s guardians how to sew so they can generate income and be financially independent. We believe this will allow the caregivers to work and be able to participate in providing good care for the children.
Chongwe: Managing the Cholera Outbreak
Due to the aggressive Cholera outbreak in Zambia, strict sanitation and hygiene measures are put in place around the Village at VOH Chongwe. In addition to ensuring the children are protected from the outbreak, we are also reviewing our basic sanitation and hygiene teachings with the children and staff in order to curb/prevent the epidemic. We are thankful that all of our children–those in the children’s homes and those who come from the surrounding community each day–are all free from illness! We appreciate the children, staff, and the community for complying with the set hygiene standards.
Malawi: Distributing Meals
This week at VOH Malawi we began distribution of high-energy protein supplement (HEPS) porridge to the children at Kauma. In total, we have 200 bags to distribute. Each bag weighs 10kg and one cup of this porridge each day is a major nutrition boost for a child. VOH children are regularly weighed and measured to ensure they are growing according to the World Health Organization’s standards of growth for children.
Mongu: “Moms and Tots” Time!
Our children at VOH Mongu love to read and play with their friends! During the school break, the children at the VOH Mongu children’s homes find extra time to read. They are eager to start school again and enjoy reading to prepare themselves for their coming year. Every Thursday we have “Moms and Tots” where the young children in our children’s homes enjoy activities, which promote their healthy development. Recently, they enjoyed playing with Play-Doh. It’s always a time filled with fun and learning!
Mwanza: Bruno Reunites with Family!
Right before the Holidays at VOH Mwanza one of our children, Bruno, was able to return home to live with his extended family. He will still be a VOH community child and have help with his education and some basic needs, but he will be able to live in the community with his family. While we will miss Bruno, we know it’s best that he stay with his family who are very excited to have him back. On the day he went home, they threw him a big party!
Zimbabwe: Baptisms!
At VOH Zimbabwe one of the ways we provide spiritual care is by helping our children get to know Jesus and discipling them. At the Village, we provide opportunities for those who would like to be baptized in water. We ensure they understand the significance of baptism and only baptize those who are ready to take this next important step in their walk of faith!
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