This week, we received reading lights for studying, had our measurements taken, and received COVID-19 vaccinations!
VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Learning to Cook!
At VOH Bwiza, we are thankful for our housemothers’ and aunties’ dedication to the children. They always make sure the children feel included in what they are doing and take opportunities to teach them life skills. For example, when they are busy preparing food, they encourage the children to help out in any way they can. The children learn a lot and have lots of fun in the process! One of their favourite meals is rice and beans. Being included in daily chores helps our children learn valuable skills they will take with them into adulthood.
VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: COVID-19 Vaccinations!
Here in Zambia, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has been visiting schools to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to children aged 12 to 17. As a COVID-19 testing centre, VOH Chongwe received a supply of the vaccines, and we are now vaccinating our staff and children! We are very grateful to the government of Zambia for ensuring that communities across the nation are well informed about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Before the children get vaccinated, their parents receive contact details for the Ministry of Health to have their questions answered. They also receive consent forms to sign on behalf of their children. We have already noticed a drop in the number of COVID-19 cases, serious illness, and death since vaccinations began. Zambia’s vaccination program is helping provide all-around protection to the children of Zambia and their community at large. The vaccines also prevent absenteeism in schools due to illness. We are very thankful that here at VOH Chongwe, we have such a well-equipped clinic and staff who can assist with this vital vaccination program!
VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Distributing Study Lights
Living without electricity is not easy, and when it comes to students wanting to read or study in the evening, it can be a real challenge. This week at VOH Kitwe, we were thrilled to distribute portable reading lights to our grade 12 students living in homes with no electricity. They are so excited and grateful that they can now read and study at night! The lights will be a great help as students prepare for national examinations later this year.
VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Logging Weight and Height
This week the VOH Kitwe clinic staff visited us at VOH Luongo to take weight and height measurements of all our children. Monitoring height and weight shows if a child is growing at a healthy rate. At our Centre, we take a keen interest in the physical well-being of the children in our care. Therefore, we ensure all children’s measurements are recorded annually. If the records show that a child is not growing, we work with their guardians to ensure they receive extra nutritional support. We also teach the children’s guardians which foods are essential to include in their children’s diets to ensure they are receiving nutrition at home in addition to what they receive at our VOH Centre.
VOH Malawi Update: New Staff Uniforms
Our VOH Malawi hospitality team has new uniforms! This new team has replaced the volunteers who used to help cook for the daily feeding program and keep our Centre clean. A while back, we realized the need for daily staff to look after these essential activities because our Centre is growing rapidly. These four new staff members joined VOH Malawi in January, and they have worked diligently and with happy hearts ever since! We are so grateful to have them on our team!
VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Writing to Sponsors!
This week at VOH Mongu, our kids get to write letters to their sponsors! In their letters, they will let them know how the new school year is going and if they are enjoying their new grade. We love to see our children interact with their sponsors through letter writing. Letters enable them to show appreciation to their sponsors. Writing letters also makes the children feel valued as they are reminded of their sponsors, who love and care for them.