VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Staying Clean and Healthy!
At VOH Bwiza, we know that cleanliness is one of the most important ways to protect children from various diseases, including viral and bacterial infections. We teach our children to wash their hands as often as possible. We are delighted that our children have already understood how important handwashing is. Now, they don’t even need us to remind them to keep their hands clean!
VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Writing to Sponsors!
The children here at VOH Chongwe are excited to write their sponsors once again! This year continues to be very challenging for the children and, in fact, for the entire country as we continue to protect ourselves and others from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There is talk of a third wave as we enter into the cold season, and we continue to comply with all of the measures set by the Ministry of Health. The children were sure to thank their sponsors for their support and love, especially during these trying times.
If you have a sponsor child and would like to write to them, you can send them a letter at this link!
VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Welcoming Government-Funded Teachers!
This week at VOH Kitwe, we officially welcomed seven new teachers sent by the Ministry of Education. They are assigned to us indefinitely, and the government pays their salaries. Receiving government-funded teachers has been a long journey, and we are so grateful we are finally the beneficiaries of this excellent initiative. To make them feel welcome, we had a welcome party where we shared a meal and cake. Everlyn, our VOH Director, also gave a welcome speech, welcoming them to our VOH family. The new teachers expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome. We are very confident we will have a fantastic working relationship!
VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Learning through Play!
Here at VOH Luongo, we are always thrilled to have new children join us. Earlier this year, we enrolled a new group of preschool children, and they are doing very well and are so excited to be in school for the first time! This week, we gave them dolls, toy cars, and building blocks to play with because we know that play is an essential part of learning, especially for young children. It’s encouraging to see the children already enjoying school and learning how to play well with others. These new toys came in the most recent Boxes of Love container from British Columbia, Canada. We are so grateful to everyone who donated these special items!
VOH Malawi Update: Meet Mwawi
Mwawi is our Deputy Headteacher at VOH Malawi. She joined in 2018 as a grade one teacher and has been a dedicated, hard worker ever since. Last year she was promoted to Deputy Head Teacher. She continues to teach grade one and also assists the Head Teacher. Mwawi is a mother to a beautiful girl whom she loves so much! It is very evident that she also loves all of the VOH kids. She first learned about VOH Malawi through Emmanuel Teachers Training College, where she was studying. Apart from teaching qualification, she also has an RSA bookkeeping certificate and an advanced secretarial certificate with experience working as a receptionist. In her free time, Mwawi likes to bake, create recipes, and make juice from local fruits. She also loves listening to music. VOH is blessed to have Mwawi as part of the family!
VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Building a Well for the Community
At VOH Maramvya, we desire to help the people of Maramvya, beyond just those who have children coming to our VOH Center. One of the latest ways we have been able to do this is by digging a well that we have made open for use to anyone in the Maramvya area. This kind of well is often called “igipompano” in Kirundi, which means that you have to pump so that the water comes out. This new water source will serve the community in many ways. Before, families living in the area had to walk a very long distance to find water for use at home. We are so happy we can provide such practical help for our neighbours, and everyone is very grateful to VOH Maramvya for providing this meaningful support!
VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Fun and Bonding!
It’s yet another exciting week here at our VOH Mongu! There are so many activities, and there is so much fun going on for the kids who live in our children’s homes. Some of our Save A Life Center staff are teaching them how to sew clothes! In addition, the children have enjoyed playing different games and singing and dancing together. We love seeing our kids engage in activities that create fun and help their developmental and cognitive skills. These after-school activities help the kids grow even closer to one another, and it is an absolute joy to witness the love!
VOH Zimbabwe Update: Youth Encounter
Drug abuse has been on the rise in the areas surrounding VOH Zimbabwe. The increase in the number of young people in the area involved with drugs is becoming a serious concern for the community. This week, VOH youth and youth from the community who wanted to attend were involved in a youth encounter organized by Hope Church. In these meetings, life issues, career paths, the dangers of drug use, and general health discussions and teaching took place. The teaching was based on scripture so the youth know that God loves them no matter what happens in life and wants them to be the best they can be. Judging from the feedback we received after the youth encounter meetings, the program was beneficial, and the youth appreciated and enjoyed the time we spent together.