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.
Mongu: Small Business Training
Each week at VOH Mongu, we have our Save A Life Feeding Program where around 50 children and their caregivers come to receive food, healthcare, and health and small business training. We also have devotions together and provide the caregiver with training on how to run a small business.
At the feeding program, the caregivers have been learning about different foods that will grow well in our climate in Mongu and how to maintain a small garden. In the devotion, they have been learning about the Holy Spirit and how he is always with us and guiding us through difficult circumstances.
We love seeing how much the children improve from week to week at the program and it’s also amazing to see how the caregivers’ knowledge and confidence are built up as they attend each week!
Latest Blog: Celebrating The Day of the African Child!
Burundi: Writing to New Sponsors!
We are delighted to see some of the children newly welcomed into our VOH Burundi programs receiving sponsors! The joy was visible on their faces when they were writing their very first letters to their sponsors.
The homes these children come from are located in areas of extreme poverty and, as result, these children were not expecting to be able to attend school and many were suffering from poor health and nutrition.
Now their lives have begun changing from hopeless to hopeful!
If you are interested in sponsoring a child from VOH Burundi, visit vohafrica.com/child-sponsorship
Chongwe: Child Protection Training
This week at VOH Chongwe our Director, Shaline Mwenya, conducted a regularly scheduled review of our Child Protection Policy. All VOH Staff and children were included in the policy review.
During the training, Aunty Shaline reminded everyone there are many different types of abuse and that none are acceptable.
Child Protection training is important for everyone who works with or cares for children. It’s also important for the children themselves so they understand their rights and how they should be treated.
This day was a wonderful training experience for all!
Kitwe: Gathering Our First Eggs!
At VOH Kitwe we started gathering eggs from our layer chickens! We have involved the grade 11 students so they can have first-hand experience in poultry farming. This is the first egg picking this school year and this group of students are excited to witness the process.
Eggs are given to our children’s homes and the remainder are sold to staff and people from the community. The funds from chicken sales are put back into the project so we can continue with production. Any profits are then given to the Village administration to help with the ongoing costs related to the care of our children.
This project is possible because the chicken house was generously funded by one of our faithful VOH partners!
Malawi: Gift Shoeboxes!
What a blessing it was when these gift shoeboxes arrived in Lilongwe!
The pastor from the Pentecostal Holiness Church arrived carrying armfuls of red and green boxes. The boxes have sunglasses, kazoos, toques, toy cars, and colouring books.
Gift received sunglasses that make him look totally cool (and he knows it!); Dumi and Rosie got abacuses that they both love, and all the children are walking around with plastic bracelets and big smiles!
Thank you to those involved in sending these special gifts!
Mwanza: Getting Vaccinated
Due to technical issues, unfortunately, we don’t have any photos from VOH Mwanza this week. However, we still wanted to share their weekly news story!
This week at VOH Mwanza our school held a vaccination program for the prevention of bilharzia and worms. It was organized by our local education authority.
All of our students aged 5 and older were given the prevention and because it was in pill form, it was easy to get the kids to participate. We are grateful to the Mwanza Education Authority for coordinating this program, which is vital for the health of our students!
Zimbabwe: School Break!
During the month of August, schools in Zimbabwe are closed. At VOH Zimbabwe during the break, our children get extra time to relax, play, and bond!
The break also allows time for the children to catch up on various chores they don’t have time to do when school is in session. Like having fun, chores are also important. Here at VOH because we encourage our children to learn how to do things for themselves so when they grow and leave the Village they can confidently embrace life and all of its responsibilities.