This week at VOH Africa, we celebrated a birthday, wrote to sponsors, and opened a new classroom block!
VOH Bulale (Tanzania): Teachers Prepare for Back to School
This week, the fantastic teachers of VOH Bulale went above and beyond to prepare our classrooms for the students’ return!
They’ve been working hard cleaning, organizing, and creating a comfortable environment so our students can have the best back-to-school experience next week.
Let’s give a shout-out to these dedicated teachers for making our school a welcoming and enjoyable place for everyone! We are always proud to have such diligent and committed staff members at our centre.
VOH Bwiza (Burundi): End-of-Year Performance
Recently at VOH Bwiza, we had a wonderful time with our preschool kids as we celebrated the end of the school year.
We were all thrilled with the dances they performed and amazed at their talent! They put a lot of work into the program prepared as we celebrated their special day. The boys performed modern dances, and the girls performed traditional dances.
We always want to care for our children in all aspects of their lives, including helping them discover and nurture their different talents through our various on-site clubs.
Everyone in attendance, both teachers and caregivers, enjoyed watching our children perform with so much confidence and knowledge. The day was a real success!
VOH Chongwe (Zambia): Visit from Chi Alpha
Recently VOH Chongwe was blessed to have a team of young people from Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, based in the USA, visit our centre for five days.
The visitors’ shared some discipleship lessons with the children. Some team members also told personal stories about how discipleship programs have impacted them positively and helped them know God better.
The team had a great time and was able to experience life at our centre, visiting various programs and appreciating what was going on in each area. They also interacted with the children through centre activities, discipleship sessions, and games.
One of the highlights of the visit was the team’s participation in our feeding program. They took time to serve the children their daily HEPS (High Energy Protein Supplement) porridge.
The kids were excited to have such a memorable visit!
VOH Kitwe (Zambia): Chicken Project
This week, VOH Kitwe is delighted to share how well the chicken project is going. The chickens are doing well, and they have grown so big! The youth participate under the supervision of Charles, our Agricultural Foreman.
Once ready, we sell the chickens to VOH staff and community members, and the funds are reinvested in our centre.
We are happy that the chicken project is going so well! Our goal is to bring in enough income to expand the project and increase the number of chicks we keep.
VOH Luongo (Zambia): Writing to Sponsors
AT VOH Luongo, our children are back from the long weekend; when all of Zambia celebrated Heroes and Unity Day.
Now that they are back in school, they are writing letters to their sponsors. The kids love communicating with their sponsors and updating them on their lives.
The letters include drawings and updates on how things are going in school. They have changed grades and participated in various school activities, which have boosted their self-esteem and confidence.
We are so thankful for every sponsor and love to give our children the opportunity to write them and say thank you!
Sign up to become a VOH sponsor today by visiting: https://sponsorship.vohafrica.com
VOH Malawi: New Classroom Block
At VOH Malawi, we are thrilled to announce the completion of our grade 7 and 8 classroom block!
Currently, we have classes up to grade 6, and this next academic year, our grade 6 students will be graduating into the next school grade. We are officially ready for them!
This building completes our primary school classrooms here at VOH Malawi. It’s very encouraging to see the community so happy with this development. When VOH first came into the Kauma community, we had only one classroom block to accommodate, and many told us later they thought we would never be a complete primary school.
Over the years, hope has been building as the community watched all of the development at our centre, and we are so very thankful for every donor who has made our dream a reality!
People now know that once their kids start preschool, they can continue through grade 8, the final grade of primary school in Malawi!
VOH Maramvya (Burundi): Examinations, but make it Fun!
This week at VOH Maramvya, the children have been busy completing their end-of-year exams. Each teacher sets the examinations for the subjects of their class. In some cases, the exams are oral, and in others, written.
The oral exams are done individually, allowing each child to practice narrating a story or reciting something they learned. Giving exams this way helps the children increase their vocabulary and confidence in speaking publicly. Oral recitation also allows the children to get accustomed to using good pronunciation.
There were also written exams in subjects like Math, French and English, and even a few practical exams. In the practical exams, the children were asked to make things from wood, clay, or paper. This was to measure their levels of technical skills and creativity. Some made toy cars from clay, and others made paper flowers.
Other exams included the opportunity to sing or act. Being given these opportunities at a young age helps children avoid shyness and be confident in front of others.
During the various examination exercises, there was laughter and joy as the children enjoyed the creative ways their teachers had designed to test what they had learned throughout the year!
VOH Mongu (Zambia): Happy Birthday, Peggy!
We had a special celebration this week at VOH Mongu as we marked Little Peggy’s birthday. Peggy, one of the beloved children living in our children’s homes, turned another year older, and we rejoiced as we celebrated the occasion. The day was filled with laughter, fun, and love as everyone celebrated with her.
The VOH team prepared a special birthday surprise, decorating the centre with colourful balloons and a beautiful birthday cake. Peggy’s housemother and the other children living with Peggy in the children’s home shared heartwarming stories about her journey and growth over the years. It was a reminder of the strong bond between Peggy and her VOH family as they continue to support and celebrate her milestones.
The celebration included various activities and games, bringing smiles to Peggy’s face and creating cherished memories for everyone involved. The joy and happiness that radiated from Peggy were a testament to the love and care she receives at VOH.
Peggy’s birthday served as a beautiful reminder of the importance of family and the community we are a part of. It showcased the power of love, support, and celebration in nurturing the growth and happiness of a young individual.
We wish Peggy a very happy birthday and pray for many more years filled with love, joy, and abundant blessings!
VOH Mwanza (Tanzania): Twin Transformation
This week VOH Mwanza would like to share a heartwarming story of hope!
When our social workers stumbled upon a pair of malnourished twins during an enrollment drive, the twins had the courage to request porridge and lunch.
We happily granted their request, and their dedicated mother started bringing them to our centre every morning to participate in the feeding program.
At just two years old (as you can see in the photos), their journey with VOH Mwanza began. We closely monitored their health, scheduling weekly clinic appointments to track their progress.
Thanks to the care provided by VOH Mwanza, their health status has significantly improved, and they’ve started gaining weight!
In addition to improved health, the twins have become active and joyful, making countless friends at VOH.
Today, at five years old, they are enrolled in our preschool and receive a quality education in addition to continued nutritional support. VOH has not only saved their lives but also provided them with the opportunity to grow healthier and happier.
The twins continue to live with their single mother, who sells vegetables for a living, and she is forever grateful for the help and support her family receives from VOH Mwanza.
Thanks to our dedicated staff, donors, and sponsors, we will continue to be a beacon of hope in our community, so more stories like this are possible!
VOH Zimbabwe: Graduates Working Towards Self-Sufficiency
This week at VOH Zimbabwe, two young ladies completing a skills training program in hospitality and tourism at Harare Polytechnic College had the opportunity to put their theory into practice as they baked various pastries, and their siblings enjoyed the delicacies.
Lessie and Memory graduated from high school in 2022 and opted for skills training instead of further academic studies. Both girls have lived at our centre for over 12 years after being rescued from difficult circumstances. They both desire to be self-sufficient, and we are so proud of their hard work toward accomplishing this goal.
It’s always a pleasure to see our VOH kids do what they love, and we wish them all the best as they continue their studies!