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.
This week we prepared for exams, supported our community, and received textbooks!
Don’t forget to scroll all the way to the bottom to see our photo of the week!
Save the Date: Evenings of Hope 2019
Save the date for an evening of hope near you!
- Friday, September 27 in Kelowna, BC
- Saturday, October 5 in Ladner, BC
- Friday, October 11 in Ottawa, Ont
- Saturday, October 19 in Newmarket, Ont
- Friday, October 25 in Vancouver, BC
- Saturday, October 26 in Langley, BC
- Friday, November 1 in Comox, BC
Bulale (Tanzania): Papaya!
At VOH Bulale we are growing papaya trees. Recently, we were able to harvest some of the fruit and our grade one class have been enjoying papaya each day with their lunch.
Unfortunately, many of our children do not eat much fruit at home as their parents and guardians cannot afford it. For this reason, we are grateful to be able to grow and provide it at school through our nutrition program.
Papaya is rich in many vitamins like Vitamin C and A. Offering it to our kiddos is one way we are helping all our kids grow healthy and strong!
Bwiza (Burundi): Team from Winnipeg
This week at VOH Bwiza, we had special moments with a Canadian team from Cross Church in Winnipeg.
The team organized a kids camp for more than 200 children who gathered together to learn about God’s love and have fun together. The children were divided into groups and learnt new things through fun lessons and activities.
Each group had the opportunity to take part in games, crafts, and more. The camp lasted four days and was amazing.
At the end of the camp, the groups received gifts and prizes!
Chongwe (Zambia): End of the Term Tests
At VOH Chongwe our children had a wonderful term filled with learning and activities such as science competitions, drama, and sports.
This week they began writing their end of the term tests. Our Grade 7, 9 and 12 students are also writing their Mock Examinations as they prepare for their final examinations.
We wish them all the best!
Kitwe (Zambia): Exildah and Margaret Prepare for Exams
Exildah and Margaret are both 14 years old and in grade 7 at VOH Kitwe. These two girls live in the nearby community and have shown a passion for education.
We caught up with them in their classes as they prepare to write their mock exams. We asked them how they study, and they said they study at home and in our school library.
Like many of our other students, these two girls are helping each other with their studying so they can both succeed.
We wish them all the best with their upcoming exams!
Malawi: Supporting Victims of a House Fire
This week at VOH Malawi one of our families had a great tragedy when their house caught fire destroying much of their belongings. We immediately responded with aid by providing clothes, bedding, floor mats, food, and other basic necessities.
Richard and his family live in a small rental house near VOH Malawi. They do not have electricity so they use candles for light. One such candle caught fire to the house and the fire spread quickly.
We thank God because everyone in the house got out safely but many of their belongings were lost in the fire.
Thankfully with the help of the neighbours, a bucket line was formed and the fire was put out before spreading to any neighbouring houses.
Please pray for Richard and his family during this difficult time.
Maramvya (Burundi): School Break Activities
At VOH Maramvya, we continue to welcome children to the Village even when they are on school holidays. In addition to serving them a meal through our feeding program, we also check-in on them to see how they are doing and we organize fun activities.
We pray with them and teach them the word of God with lessons that include learning The Lord’s Prayer and reciting Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4.
These moments are very special to our children as they learn about God’s love. We trust they will remember these things when they grow up.
Mongu (Zambia): Meet John
John is in our grade 11 class at VOH Mongu. He and his sister, Mufuka, were some of the first students in our school as small children. They come from a very large family where their grandmother cares for them but struggles to bring in enough money for all 11 family members that live with her.
John is a natural leader in our school, having been selected as class captain multiple times during his school years at VOH. He also shows this leadership at church, leading the youth boy’s small group and being one of our key Hope Kids leaders!
John also helps to run our Kids Church worship team and is involved in the youth group worship team. He is incredibly reliable, loves people, is on fire for God, and takes hold of every opportunity to serve.
We know that God has huge plans for John and we can’t wait to see what his future will hold!
Mwanza (Tanzania): Learning to Care for Children with Disabilities
Recently at VOH Mwanza, we were blessed to have visitors from Ompaco Centre in Arusha, Tanzania. They came for a visit and to offer support to some of our children who have various disabilities. The group was joined by a specialist from America, Dr. Martha.
The assessments and time spent together with our staff were used as a training opportunity. Our staff were able to ask questions and gain a new perspective and fresh ideas about how best we can care for some of our children who have disabilities.
At VOH Mwanza we have 11 children with various physical and/or mental disabilities and we are always grateful for the opportunity to learn how to better care for each child so they can reach their fullest potential.
Zimbabwe: Book Donation!
It’s books, books, and more books at VOH Zimbabwe this week!
Our children have been blessed tremendously this past week with textbooks for the new school curriculum and some reading library books.
Both sets of books are donations from our friends in Ontario and we are so grateful for the partnership. The person who organized the donation visited the Village in 2018 and was inspired to go back to Canada and collect textbooks, put them in the container, and ship them to Zimbabwe.
Sadly, this donor passed away, but his family carried on his mission. Through the family and Missions Zimbabwe, they managed to send the books to Zimbabwe and we are excited that they arrived!