This week at VOH Africa, we constructed new classrooms, held preschool intake, and held an academic competition!
VOH Bulale (Tanzania): Building Grade 6 Classrooms
At VOH Bulale, we are building more classrooms!
Our Bulale centre is growing rapidly, and we are planning ahead to keep up with this growth. Currently, our school goes up to grade 5. But next year, our current grade 5 students will be advancing to grade 6, so we are building new classrooms in preparation.
The construction of two new classrooms is underway and will be ready for the 2024 school year.
We thank all our generous donors and everyone else who supported this project. Your contributions are helping us provide our children a comfortable and conducive place to learn and gain knowledge. Together, we are making a positive impact on these young lives!
VOH Bwiza (Burundi): Distributing School Supplies
Students are returning to school after a two-month break, and we are busy at VOH Bwiza purchasing, packing and distributing school supplies to the students.
Each student will receive books, school supplies, uniforms, bags, and shoes. They are all so happy and grateful to have everything they need for a successful school year.
The children’s guardians are also very grateful, as it can be difficult to afford school supplies each year. They say VOH is bringing hope, not only in children’s lives but also to their families and community in general.
We thank our sponsors and partners for their commitment to our children!
VOH Chongwe (Zambia): New Bibles
Naomi, Jonathan, and Michael are some of the children at VOH Chongwe who were excited to receive a copy of the Bible.
Fifteen-year-old Naomi, a resident in our children’s homes, said she was grateful to receive a Bible because it will help her learn more of the stories within it and become a better person.
Jonathan, 14 years old, said he felt very proud when he received a Bible and is excited to learn more about God. Jonathan mentioned that his Bible will help his family learn more about God.
“I felt wonderful,” was Michael’s response when asked how he felt after receiving his Bible. Michael is 13 years old. He said the Bible will help him learn about God’s commandments.
We wish the children well as they continue to read the scriptures!
VOH Kitwe (Zambia): Learning Volleyball
This week at VOH Kitwe, our grade 9 class was practicing volleyball as part of their Physical Education class. The children enjoyed the practice.
Since introducing P.E., the children have shown keen interest and are doing well in theory and practice. This subject has helped their holistic development because physical activity is important to overall health and well-being.
It is wonderful to see children enjoying their school subjects and having fun at the same time!
VOH Luongo (Zambia): Meet Precious
At VOH Luongo, we accommodate children from all walks of life. This week, we’d like you to meet Precious. Precious is a young and brilliant girl who lives with her elder sisters. She joined the VOH Luongo family when she was in grade 1.
When she first came to us, she had never attended school because every school she applied to turned her away for being too old for first grade. At VOH Luongo, though, we welcomed her with open arms.
Now in grade 3, Precious loves reading and is doing well in school. She enjoys attending chapel, where she learns about the love of God. When she finishes school, she would love to be a nurse.
We are so grateful to have Precious as part of our VOH family!
VOH Malawi: Intake Week
This week at VOH Malawi was intake week, a significant event where we welcomed new children into our preschool class.
It’s a unique process cherished by many leaders in the community. We have various stations set up, and the children and their guardians visit each station, undergoing various assessments to confirm each child’s age, medical status, and home situation.
Once registered, the children are guided to the porridge room, which also serves as a waiting area.
We thoroughly review all applications and conduct home assessments. Following these assessments, the applicants who best fit our criteria undergo a final review by our Kauma Project Organizing Committee. This committee consists of local community leaders, including pastors, sheiks, chiefs, and block leaders, who possess a deep understanding of their communities.
While there is an ongoing need and substantial work ahead, we are grateful that we can welcome as many children as possible.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors who join us each year, enabling us to add more children to our program. Our work would not be possible without your compassion and commitment!
You can become a VOH sponsor by visiting https://sponsorship.vohafrica.com
VOH Maramvya (Burundi): Fire Training
This week at VOH Maramvya, we held a two-day staff meeting, where, among other things, the staff learned what to do if there’s a fire and how to use fire extinguishers properly.
In addition to fire extinguisher training, we assembled an evacuation team and a rescue team. We also set specific places to gather if there is a fire.
It is reassuring to know that now, in the unlikely event of a fire, our staff are well prepared and can keep the children and themselves safe.
VOH Mongu (Zambia): School Quiz Competition
This week at VOH Mongu, excitement and intellectual prowess took centre stage as students from various classes participated in the highly anticipated Quiz Competition!
The event showcased the students’ academic knowledge, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
With great enthusiasm, students from different grades formed teams to represent their respective classes. The competition was fierce, with each team determined to prove their class’s intellectual abilities.
The questions covered a wide range of subjects, challenging the participants to think on their feet and apply their classroom learning. The students demonstrated remarkable poise and confidence as they buzzed in to answer questions.
As the rounds progressed, it became evident that the competition was not just about winning but also fostering a sense of healthy competition and camaraderie among the students. Cheers and encouragement echoed through the hall as participants cheered on both their classmates and opponents.
After several rounds of intense quizzing, the results were tallied. The winning team celebrated their victory with jubilant cheers, while the other teams congratulated them with sportsmanship and grace.
This competition serves as a reminder of the importance of academic excellence and teamwork. It encourages students to strive for knowledge and promotes a culture of healthy competition within the school.
We look forward to more enriching experiences that shape the minds and character of our students at VOH Mongu!
VOH Mwanza (Tanzania): Bible Distribution
This week at VOH Mwanza, we were honoured to distribute donated Bibles to the children in our children’s homes. These Bibles will play a significant role in their daily lives, helping them with their devotions at home and school.
A total of 28 children received Bibles tailored to their age and understanding. The little ones received English Bibles with illustrations to make it easy to grasp what they read. The older ones got NIV English bibles to aid them with their English and the word of God.
The children’s faces were priceless; they were so happy to receive the Bibles.
Thank you to our generous donors; your support makes a difference in the children’s lives!
VOH Zimbabwe: Upgrading our Gazebo
School is back in session at VOH Zimbabwe, and the children are safe under the shade of a gazebo that our friends from Mission Zimbabwe put up when they visited us.
The children use this gazebo after school while they wait for their parents and guardians to collect them.
The structure initially had wooden poles and a thatched roof. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair over time due to harsh weather and general wear and tear.
With help from Mission Zimbabwe, we pulled it down and replaced the wooden poles and thatch with steel. The new, sturdier materials are a better option as they are not susceptible to termites or harsh weather conditions.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this upgrade possible!