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.
Zimbabwe: Caring for our Caregivers
Each year our VOH Zimbabwe caregivers receive a medical exam at our clinic. The exam is a requirement of the local authorities and we are happy to comply. We want to ensure those responsible for caring for our children also have an opportunity to receive any medical care they may require.
Looking after our staff is another way we ensure we are providing a safe, stable, and healthy environment for all of our children.
Burundi: How we Bring Hope
At VOH Burundi as we focus on our mission to “Bring hope to children in need,” we offer our children free education. Without this, they would not have the opportunity to attend school. We also provide every VOH child with a nutritious meal each morning before they start their lessons. In addition to the required lessons, the teachers are involved in caring for the children by organizing special activities, sports, and games during school holidays.
Hope is being built into these children from a very young age because of the personal care and love they receive. We have seen that the children are open to hearing about God and His love for them because of the love that is shown to them in God’s name each day at Village of Hope!
Chongwe: Sports Day!
What a lovely and wonderful school term we had at VOH Chongwe! Everyone was full of energy and excitement as the first term of the new school year got underway!
Last week we closed the term off in style with a very special day. The children and staff decided to have a sports day together with the students playing against the staff.
It was good to see how our pupils were freely interacting with the staff and we plan to hold more of these types of sports events in the near future!
Kitwe: Medical Check-Ups
Today our clinic at VOH Kitwe conducted a general medical check-up for each of the children living in our children’s’ homes. This general examination provides preventive care because we are able to check on the children’s health and spot and treat any areas of concern immediately.
It is also good for the children to get to know the medical staff so they are comfortable visiting the clinic if the need arises.
Malawi: Clothing Distribution!
At VOH Malawi we were excited to have Team Life Boat Church with us from Halifax, Canada. Together with the VOH staff they prepared and put on an outstanding clothing distribution for each family VOH Malawi is working with.
Each child went away with new clothes, household items and some new toys. They were so happy; there were smiles all around!
Mongu: Home Visits
Home visits are an essential part of our VOH Mongu Feeding Program at Save a Life Center! It helps us get a better understanding of where each child is coming from, and an opportunity to encourage and share the gospel with the family as well. Last week, we went to visit Baby Lifuna who lives with her grandmother 30km from our Centre.
In these pictures, two of our community health workers, Namataa and Musiyalike, are making sure the Lifuna’s Grandma knows how to prepare her food. She travels the 30km every two weeks to come for teaching at the Save A Life Center and to collect milk for her grandchild.
It is so great to see the family come together and care for sweet Lifuna!
Mwanza: Thanks, Brett!
Recently we said, “see you later” to a very well loved volunteer, Brett, who has been with us at VOH Mwanza for the last 6 months. Brett was a wonderful help around the village, helping anywhere and everywhere, from maintenance projects and mechanical repairs to farming and soccer matches. He was also involved in the church onsite and he helped support our praise and worship team.
Brett developed some great relationships with many of our older youth, inspiring and challenging them as a fellow young person and friend. We appreciated his easy-going attitude, willingness to learn and help, and his genuine friendship.
We’re grateful for Brett’s time with us and many at VOH Mwanza will miss him!