VOH Bulale (Tanzania): Fresh Paint!
At VOH Bulale we were recently able to improve our environment a little by giving all our buildings a fresh coat of paint and working on our gardens and pathways, especially now that rainy season is here in Tanzania. Keeping our buildings in good repair and our environment tidy and maintained is just part of creating a great learning atmosphere for all of our students. Rainy season brings lots of mud and dirt and our old white and cream buildings were looking pretty worn. We’re grateful for the chance to freshen up the buildings and do some maintenance. All the kids and staff love the new paint job! It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do!
VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Christmas Greetings
Christmas is approaching and like many people around the world, here at VOH Bwiza, we look forward to sending special Christmas greetings to our sponsors. Sponsors have a very special place in our children’s hearts and our children are very excited to write Christmas greetings and special wishes to their sponsors. We love our sponsors and we are so grateful for their support!
You can sponsor a VOH child by visiting vohafrica.com/child-sponsorship
VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: End of Year Tests
As we come to the end of the final term of our academic year, all of us at VOH Chongwe are thankful for the smooth operations throughout the year. We are grateful that despite all of the challenges this year has brought, our children have remained safe and healthy. This week, the students began writing their end of term tests, which are an assessment and evaluation of their academic progress. Both students and teachers have worked hard and we are expecting great results again this year. We wish them all the best!
VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Board Visits VOH Luongo
This past week the VOH Kitwe Board visited VOH Luongo, our satellite location, to see how they are progressing. While in Luongo, we met with the nearby community and church leaders. We reviewed 2020 and discussed plans and goals for the new Luongo location. Our meeting was held in the new classroom and after the meeting, the board toured around the new school area. The visit concluded back at the original school classroom where we found the multi-grade students busy preparing for their first Government Examinations. It is so exciting to see what a blessing the Luongo location is to their community. We are thankful that we have been able to expand to this new location!
VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Planting Maize!
When the rains begin, it’s a sign that farming season has come. This week at VOH Luongo, we were able to plant maize in our field. The teachers, guardians and children worked together to ensure the crop is planted correctly. Maize is the staple food in Zambia. We plan to add the grain to our feeding program. The children were so excited to participate in the planting!
VOH Africa: New Back to School Hope Packs!
Our new Back to School Hope Packs will ensure each student has access to all the things they need for a safe and successful school year!
Each Back to School Hope Pack costs $30 and contains:
- Exercise Books
- Pencils
- Pens
- An Eraser
- A Ruler
- A Pencil Case
- Soap and/or Hand Sanitizer
Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!
VOH Malawi Update: New Washroom Block
This week at VOH Malawi we are excited to see the iron sheets arriving for the roof on our new washroom block. They recently installed the steel roof trusses, which are both strong and unaffected by termites. Steel trusses and iron sheets are strong, durable and hold up well against the high winds we often get in Malawi. Once they’re in place, the interior work will begin. We are so grateful to have these sheets installed just in time for the rainy season!
VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Weaving Traditional Mats
At VOH Maramvya, the children have been weaving “Ikirago” (mats). Here in Maramvya like everywhere in Burundi, these mats are traditional objects that many people still use for sitting. When a mother wants to give a meal to her children, they sit on these mats while waiting to be served. Family stories are told while sitting on mats as well. We teach the children about their Burundian culture. Making these mats is part of the culture club they all take part in.
VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Sustainability Fish Pond
We love seeing stories of success here at VOH Mongu. This week we saw the completion of one of our sustainability fish pond projects! Felix, one of our many amazing staff members, has been working hand in hand with Jaycee who is spearheading the fish pond project and other sustainability projects here at VOH. These projects will help with the food sustainability for our children and the sustainability of the whole organization at large. We believe starting up such great sustainability projects will not only financially assist us as an organization, but will also help create job opportunities. The 2 fish ponds are in great shape and are looking amazing. We are so eager to bring in different breeds of fish in a few weeks and the project will be set to go. We are looking forward to creating more great ideas that will keep us sustainable and help us grow as an organization to keep making a difference, so others may live!
VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Meet Eva
VOH Mwanza would like you to meet Eva. Eva lives at VOH Mwanza in one of our children’s homes. She has been living at the centre most of her life as she was brought as a toddler. She just graduated from grade seven, which is the end of Primary school here in Tanzania. She is looking forward to secondary school and has dreams of studying social work. Eva is a lovely girl who is a big help at home especially with her younger siblings, a couple of whom are disabled. She is happy and pleasant to be around and she gets along with everyone well. Eva also loves to sing in her spare time and has a lovely voice! We know Eva’s future is bright!
If you would like to sponsor a girl like Eva, visit vohafrica.com/child-sponsorship
VOH Zimbabwe Update: Preparing for 2021
It’s that time of the year again when our VOH Zimbabwe leadership team takes time out to plan and strategize for the upcoming year. Given the unexpected way that 2020 has gone, it’s difficult to predict the future, but as they say, “Lack of planning is planning to fail.” We want to do the best we can to provide VOH children with the best care possible. We also desire to build a strong and dedicated team. 2021 here we come!