This week at VOH Africa, we held special events and visited another children’s centre.
VOH Bulale: Student Debate
Last week at our Bulale school, we held a debate. The motion of the debate was: “A teacher is better than a doctor.”
All students from grades 3 to 6 took part while their teachers supervised. This activity helps students improve their communication, questioning and reasoning skills. It also helps them develop their confidence and ability to argue and defend their point.
The students raised some interesting questions, like “How can someone become a doctor without a teacher?” and “How can a teacher teach well if they are unhealthy.”
In conclusion, the teacher emphasized that these two professions are interdependent, highlighting the need for mutual respect between teachers and doctors.
VOH Bwiza: Weekend Bonding
Over the weekend at VOH Bwiza, we held a special event for all our students. The event had two main objectives: to help the children blossom socially and to create a safe environment to share their needs, feelings, and fears.
The children played a variety of games and enjoyed tasty snacks. We also welcomed a special guest: Chadia, one of our alumni! Chadia has graduated from university, is married to a doctor and has a happy family. She wanted to share her journey with our young students to encourage and inspire them.
It was a fun and valuable time together!
VOH Kitwe: Peter’s Artistic Talent
It is always a joy when children perform well and are rewarded! This week, VOH Kitwe would like you to meet Peter.
Peter is one of the children living in the children’s homes at our centre. He came to VOH when he was very young and is now 11 years old and in grade 5.
Recently, Peter was awarded a new uniform because of how well he is performing in art. He was so happy and encouraged by the recognition, and his housemother was there to celebrate with him.
We encourage every child to identify their talents and are so happy that Peter has found his at an early age. Peter’s housemother used this as an opportunity to encourage the other children to explore their own abilities because their talents are also special.
We thank our school leadership for recognizing Peter’s artistic talent!
VOH Luongo: Staying Busy During Break
Schools are on a short break, but the children of VOH Luongo are free to come to the centre for their daily HEPS porridge and to study.
Meet our grade 8 and 9 students who came by to study recently. They are determined to do well in school so they can receive a complete education, get jobs and support their families. These children have dreams and great plans for their future.
Their teachers are always present to offer guidance. If the students face challenges or have not understood a topic, their teachers are eager to help them.
We are so proud of our students for being dedicated to their studies!
VOH Malawi: Starting the Final Term
As schools reopen for the third term here in Malawi after a two-week break, the children at VOH Malawi are eager to pick up where they left off before the holiday.
Despite the break, the children visited the centre daily for porridge and milk, ensuring their nutritional needs were met.
Now embarking on the final term, the students are determined to excel. With the unwavering support of their teachers, parents and guardians, the children are optimistic about achieving their goals and moving to the next grade.
We are confident they will succeed!
VOH Maramvya: A Special Event
This week at VOH Maramvya, we held a special event for the children. It started with breakfast, followed by teaching sessions.
During the sessions, the children heard from the Chaplain and administrator about adolescence and the challenges the children may face. The director of VOH Burundi also led a session focused on giving your life a purpose.
The children were so excited to have someone willing to listen to them as they opened up in these groups and shared their worries and questions.
After the sessions, the children ran outside for games. Laughter and joy echoed through the air! The day concluded with a delicious meal.
It was a wonderful time of bonding and fun!
VOH Mongu: Betty’s Story
Betty’s journey began with a difficult start, as she was left at the local hospital.
Recognizing her vulnerability, we extended our support, providing essential supplies to the neonatal ward and ensuring she received the care she needed.
As time passed, Betty became a cherished member of our VOH Mongu family, finding a home in one of our children’s homes.
Despite our best efforts and the dedicated care of our staff, Betty faced challenges in finding a suitable diet, and her growth suffered as a result. However, perseverance and unwavering support prevailed, and Betty’s resilience shone through. In a heartwarming turn of events, she began to thrive, making remarkable progress and nearly doubling her initial weight!
Betty’s story is a testament to the transformative power of love, care, and perseverance, and we are grateful to have been part of her journey.
VOH Mwanza: Visiting Another Children’s Centre
This week at VOH Mwanza, a group of us took a trip to visit another children’s centre. We aimed to see their approach and learn from them.
When we arrived, the staff were happy to see us, and we were just as thrilled to meet them.
Their property is huge (around 250 hectares), and their farming project caught our eye. They care for animals like cows, goats, ducks, and hens. They have many fruit trees, including avocados, mangoes, oranges, and lemons. They also grow crops like potatoes, maize, and rice.
In addition, they have five children’s homes, and something sweet we noticed was how they have photos of the children on the walls.
We had a great time visiting them and offered donated clothes as a gesture of thanks.
They want to visit us next and even coordinate a combined playdate for all our kids. We can’t wait for that day to come!
VOH Zimbabwe: Performance Reviews
Benjamin Franklin once famously said, “Investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” As we aim to enhance our childcare abilities at VOH Zimbabwe, it’s crucial that we invest in knowledge to improve our administrative skills and effectively impart wisdom to the children
Each school break allows us to empower our team leaders, and this term was no different. We were fortunate to have one of our board members, an expert in Human Resources, guide us through performance reviews.
The session was enlightening and beneficial for our management team, enabling each member to develop as better leaders, thus positively impacting the children we serve.
We thank Mr. Pelham for generously dedicating his time to assist us in this endeavour. We hope that as we guide and care for the children, we do so in a way that nurtures them and prepares them for a bright future!