This Week: Supporting the Community

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VOH Africa: VOH Kids Sing "The Blessing" for Day of Charity

Saturday, September 5th was the International Day of Charity and we wanted to take this chance to thank YOU for your love, prayers, and support, even during these difficult times.

We were inspired when we saw so many groups and churches create their own version of “The Blessing” so we thought we’d film our own as a way to say thank you and to bring us closer together, even though physically we are far apart.

From all of us at VOH Africa to all of you, be blessed! 🧡

Watch it here:

View this post on Instagram

Today is the International #DayOfCharity and we wanted to take this chance to thank YOU for your love, prayers, and support, even during these difficult times. We were inspired when we saw so many groups and churches create their own version of "The Blessing" so we thought we'd film our own as a way to say thank you and to bring us closer together, even though physically we are far apart. From all of us at VOH Africa to all of you, be blessed! 🧡 ---- SONG CREDIT: "The Blessing" Written by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes ©2020 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Capitol CMG Paragon / Writers Roof Publishing, Worship Together Music / Kari Jobe Carnes Music CCLI #: 7147007 Mixed By Elevation Records at Elevation Church Mastered By Mike Cervantes at The Foxboro

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VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Back to School Supplies!

At VOH Bwiza we are distributing school supplies to each of our children as they return to school. Students received exercise books, pens, and other supplies.

This period has been challenging all around the world including here in Burundi where many people have lost their jobs and faced many different challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thankful to be able to still care for our students despite these challenges.

We want to thank all of our sponsors and donors for supporting our students!

VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Child Safeguarding Training

This week at VOH Chongwe our Child Safeguarding Team led by Shaline Mwenya, the Village Director, has been working on the process of contextualizing the updated policy.

Once this training process is complete, the policy will be implemented and it will help the entire Village ensure that our children are safe, loved, and well cared for.

The team includes two members from the local community who pass on the information to the children’s caregivers and other community members.

VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: New Testament Bibles!

This week at VOH Luongo we received New Testament Bibles given to us by VOH Kitwe for use in our Luongo Discipleship class. This is a class of grade 6 students.

The first story they read together was about when Jesus told His disciples, “Let the little children come to me for the kingdom of God belongs to them” from Matthew 19:14. The children were so happy to know the kingdom of God is for young children like them.

They are so excited to own a Bible so they can read it at home. They will share the love of Christ with the other children in the community.

VOH Malawi Update: Garden Project

This week at VOH Malawi we are celebrating the amazing growth in our garden project. The hard work of our staff, along with warm sunny days and water from our borehole have come together to give this garden health and vitality.

We are growing Irish potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage. They are all thriving throughout the garden. We just can’t wait to see what the harvest will bring in!

VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Supporting Widows

This Week at VOH Maramvya we distributed food packs to widows who recently moved to Maramvya from Bwiza with their children. To help them start a new life in Maramvya, we provided basic food supplies including rice, beans, cooking oil, maize flour, and small fish.

We provided enough food to last at least one month, which will give them a chance to establish their own small businesses so they can support themselves.

We also provided them with a bit of start-up money, which will help with their expenses and supporting their children.

The women are excited and are looking forward to integrating into the community of Maramvya!

VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Boxes of Love!

We were so excited to receive and give out Boxes of Love to our children at VOH Mongu this week! With COVID-19 and all of the new regulations that it has brought, the Boxes were such a treat and blessing to our students and our staff this year.

Following along with government regulations, we were able to call the children to come to school to collect both their monthly homework packs and their Box of Love. They were blessed with clothes, school supplies, treats, toys, and even some backpacks!

We have a few sets of twins in our school and they always enjoy seeing what each other got because they get to share everything!

The children loved being able to come and see their friends and their teachers again after a few weeks of being away. We are so grateful to everyone that makes it possible to receive these Boxes each year. They are such a blessing to our students and their families!

VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Providing Temporary Support

A couple of months ago at VOH Mwanza, we received three siblings who needed emergency shelter while Social Welfare was handling their case. They were removed from their home due to an abusive situation.

We partnered with another organization and worked together to support these young children. We provided shelter, nutrition, and care for them while the other organization provided a social worker to work with the children and provide counselling.

We are grateful to be able to step in and offer support to these three special children. They are now moving into a home at our partner organization’s center so they can be closer to school and receive continued support while their case is being handled.

Though they were with us just a short time, we will miss them and pray for the best with their family situation!

VOH Zimbabwe Update: Solar Power!

Zimbabwe has been experiencing ongoing challenges with our power supply company making it very difficult for us to continue to provide clean water for the children living in our children’s homes.

We have several functional boreholes on site, so we decided to switch the power source on the main borehole to solar. Solar is more reliable for us in Zimbabwe. Studies have shown that we have the sun shining eighty percent of the time throughout the year. We are confident this will help us continue to provide clean water for the children without interruptions!

Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!

voh africa hope packs

Each package contains:

  • 1 bottle of liquid hand soap
  • 2kgs of nutritious porridge
  • reusable face masks (with use and care instructions)
  • children’s multi-vitamins
  • a COVID-19 safety handout

Each HOPE Pack costs $20.

Give Hope Packs!

This Week: Family Reunification, Safety Training, Discipleship

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VOH Africa: VOH Kids Sing "The Blessing" for Day of Charity

Saturday, September 5th was the International Day of Charity and we wanted to take this chance to thank YOU for your love, prayers, and support, even during these difficult times.

We were inspired when we saw so many groups and churches create their own version of “The Blessing” so we thought we’d film our own as a way to say thank you and to bring us closer together, even though physically we are far apart.

From all of us at VOH Africa to all of you, be blessed! 🧡

Watch it here:

View this post on Instagram

Today is the International #DayOfCharity and we wanted to take this chance to thank YOU for your love, prayers, and support, even during these difficult times. We were inspired when we saw so many groups and churches create their own version of "The Blessing" so we thought we'd film our own as a way to say thank you and to bring us closer together, even though physically we are far apart. From all of us at VOH Africa to all of you, be blessed! 🧡 ---- SONG CREDIT: "The Blessing" Written by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes ©2020 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Capitol CMG Paragon / Writers Roof Publishing, Worship Together Music / Kari Jobe Carnes Music CCLI #: 7147007 Mixed By Elevation Records at Elevation Church Mastered By Mike Cervantes at The Foxboro

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VOH Bulale (Tanzania) Update: Assessment Exams

At VOH Bulale the Primary classes recently wrote exams. These tests indicate where the children are at with their learning and how the time away from class has potentially affected their progress.

The results will allow our teachers to make adjustments to their teaching moving forward so they can ensure every child has the best chance to succeed and do well by the end of this school year.

The children now have a week off school to rest while teachers mark the exams and prepare upcoming lessons accordingly.

VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Child Safeguarding

Last week at VOH Bwiza our lead team held a special meeting to review our updated Child Safeguarding Policy and contextualize it according to our local culture.

Our primary goal continues to be ensuring every one of our children knows they are loved, protected, and safe. We also continually teach and remind our children that God loves and values them.

VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Discipleship and Scripture Art

Despite schools currently being closed (except for examination grades) here at VOH Chongwe, we are working hard to make sure our children know our love and care for them has not stopped.

Discipleship is one of the programs we have successfully undertaken during the lockdown. Scriptures are prepared and distributed to the children ensuring they continue to grow in their understanding of God through the Bible. We also carry out various activities such as reading scripture together, watching videos, group discussions, and discipleship sessions over Zoom with Uncle Serge.

Our art club is also creating pictures inspired by scripture!

We are thankful we can continue to minister to our children both physically and spiritually during these unusual times.

VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Church at the Village

At VOH Kitwe the children living in our children’s homes have not been able to attend our usual local church due to COVID-19. However, this has not stopped the homes from continuing to meet together in small groups right at the Village.

Every Sunday Everlyn, our Director, leads devotions with the children and their house moms. This week they were learning how God kept Noah safe and that He keeps us safe too.

These lessons are taught from a version of the Bible that is easy for the children to read and understand.

When asked how the lessons were going, the children all said they are finding the lessons very interesting and helpful and they end each week looking forward to the next meeting!

VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Temperature Checks

At VOH Luongo we are excited to procure a modern thermometer to use as one of our Covid-19 health requirements. Children are being screened as they come for feeding, discipleship, and educational materials. Both the children and the staff are so happy each day to know their temperatures are in a healthy range.

At VOH Luongo we are doing everything we can to keep our children safe from the virus. The community is thankful for how well we are looking after the children and we pass that gratitude on to our donors who make it possible for us to access the safety equipment we need.

VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Teaching Entrepreneurship

This past week at VOH Maramvya we held a workshop to teach entrepreneur skills to parents who moved from Bujumbura to Maramvya.

They were so happy and grateful for the information and learned a variety of ways they can earn money to care for their families. Some of the business ideas they left with included selling food, raising goats or chickens, and simple agriculture.

VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Reuniting with Family!

At VOH Mwanza we are continuing to work hard to help reunite children who are in our shelter program with their extended families in the community. Recently Senga was able to go for a visit to his extended family. His grandfather came to pick him up at the centre and he was very excited.

Senga has been living at VOH Mwanza since he was a toddler and he is now 20 years old! Senga struggles with some developmental delays as well as some other health issues, but he has learned to thrive nonetheless! Senga was so happy to meet his Grandfather and to know that he has a family!

Everyone else at the Village is also very excited for Senga, as he gets this opportunity after so many years to be reconnected with his own family.

The family is ready to welcome Senga back and VOH Mwanza will be walking with them through this process ensuring they have what they need to properly support Senga.

VOH Zimbabwe Update: Fire Safety

Every six months at VOH Zimbabwe we do fire drills with the children to ensure the safety procedures are fresh in their minds. During these sessions, members from the local fire department come on-site and do demonstrations using the equipment we have here at the Village.

Every home is fitted with fire equipment, which is regularly checked to ensure it is in good working condition.

If we were to have a fire at the Village, we know these regular sessions will ensure the children know how to respond and protect themselves.

Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!

voh africa hope packs

Each package contains:

  • 1 bottle of liquid hand soap
  • 2kgs of nutritious porridge
  • reusable face masks (with use and care instructions)
  • children’s multi-vitamins
  • a COVID-19 safety handout

Each HOPE Pack costs $20.

Give Hope Packs!

This Week: Celebrating 10 Years!

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COVID-19 in Africa Update

Occasionally, we share updates on Coronavirus in Africa and in the countries where we work. Please keep in mind that it’s not always easy to get accurate numbers  as some countries are no longer releasing them. We will always provide a dated source for any information we share.

Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!

voh africa hope packs

Each package contains:

  • 1 bottle of liquid hand soap
  • 2kgs of nutritious porridge
  • reusable face masks (with use and care instructions)
  • children’s multi-vitamins
  • a COVID-19 safety handout

Each HOPE Pack costs $20.

Give Hope Packs!

VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Twin Babies!

At VOH Bwiza we are celebrating with Leontine, who just had twins! Leontine has been one of our house aunties since 2013. She is in charge of preparing breakfast and lunch for the children at Bwiza center.

She is very kind and friendly to all of the children. They love her so much and enjoy the meals she prepares. They call her “Mama.”

We congratulate Leontine and her family and wish them good health!

VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Preparing for Exams

At VOH Chongwe the examination classes (grades 7, 9 and 12) resumed attending class at the Village on June 1st under the national directive of the Ministry of Education and the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Students have been attending lessons under strict health procedures, which include wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands.

This week the students are writing their end of term mock exams, which will help prepare them for the final government exams.

We are so happy that despite the unique challenges faced during the COVID-19, our students have been able to continue to study and prepare. We wish them all the best!

VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Government Exam Prep

Here in Zambia, the government called for schools to reopen in June for students who will be writing government exams (grades 7, 9, and 12). At VOH Kitwe, our teachers are offering guidance to these students to help them catch up on the lost time due to COVID-19.

We have been dividing the students into smaller learning groups to help with social distancing. Because the classes are smaller, we have more of them and thus need more teachers.

We appreciate that VOH Luongo’s senior teacher, Fatuma, is among those that were willing to come and assist with the extra teaching required. Fatuma is teaching English, and her students are very happy with the progress they are making and are feeling confident as they prepare to write their exams!

VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Supporting VOH Families

This past week at VOH Luongo our school staff visited the homes of two of our children who had not been feeling well. The staff checked on the children’s general health and well-being and delivered a Hope Pack to each of the homes to be shared by the household.

The Hope Packs include oranges for vitamin C, soap, toothpaste, cooking oil, and a 5kg bag of mealie meal.

The families were so delighted and were especially happy to receive the oranges, which are not always easy to obtain.

The caregivers expressed how grateful they are for the love and support received from VOH!

VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Supporting Families Who Relocate

Some of the VOH Bwiza families have decided to move from the capital of Bujumbura (near VOH Bwiza) to Maramvya (where our location is) to seek a better life for their children.

The families know that in Maramvya necessities like rent and groceries are more affordable. It is also more affordable to start a small business in this community compared to the city.

For these families who have relocated away from VOH Bwiza, we are so happy we can continue to look after their children at our VOH Maramvya center.

We pray for God’s blessing and protection upon each family as they begin their new lives in Maramvya!

VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Celebrating 10 Years!

Last week at VOH Mongu we celebrated the 10 year birthday of our VOH Mongu Children’s Homes!

The kids in our homes had so much fun putting together a program for the day. They planned the whole event with help from our child protection officer, Clarissa, and the house mothers.

There was dancing, speeches, songs, a memory verse challenge, a skit, and a delicious lunch. We also had a fun quiz and a slideshow presentation featuring old and new pictures of the children. The best part? It was all put together by the kids!

It was such a wonderful day of celebration and we finished it off with a colourful cake.

VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Opening Our Clinic

At VOH Mwanza we are always finding ways to improve our healthcare program. We currently have a doctor and a nurse who are both full-time onsite at our Village.

We are happy to report that our clinic is ready to operate fully, we are just waiting on final government registration. While we are unable to open our clinic to the public before we are fully registered, we can treat the VOH children.

Our doctor and nurse conduct regular health screenings and check-ups with the kids from all three of our locations (Bulale, Nyasaka, and Mwanza) to ensure they are growing well. They also are the first point of contact if any child in our program is sick or injured.

We are very grateful for this wonderful medical duo, Dr. Catheryn and Nurse Ruth, who both love and care for our kids so well. We hope to continue to grow our medical and healthcare team as we open our clinic to the public and can serve more vulnerable children in Mwanza!

VOH Zimbabwe Update: Donated Computers!

This week at VOH Zimbabwe we are celebrating a donation of new computers!

Due to the lockdown, it has become important that we can conduct online lessons for our children. Seeing the challenge of continuing education during the pandemic, one of our long-standing friends has donated nine computers, one for each of our children’s homes.

We are so grateful to those who have come through to help us as we find new creative ways to continue to provide education for our children. This donation will go a long way in assisting our children to stay on top of their school work throughout the pandemic and beyond.

This Week: Supporting Those in Our Community

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VOH Africa Update: Zoom Calls with the Executive Director!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not possible for Sergio Bersaglio, our Executive Director, to travel and visit the various VOH Centers and meet with the children as he usually does. He is also not able to hold his weekly meetings with the discipleship group at VOH Chongwe. However, even though meeting in person is not possible, thanks to Zoom, Uncle Serge and the children have been able to continue meeting!

Initially, each discipleship call was broken down by Village. Now, all three VOH Centers join the same Zoom meeting with Uncle Serge.

Each week they discuss different aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus. Their goal is to understand who Jesus was, where he came from, and what his mission was.

Uncle Serge says, “The discussions have been productive and meaningful. As I interact with the children, I can hear that they are being challenged and growing. I think it’s terrific that children from one location can see and interact with those from other VOH locations. I thank God for the technology that allows me to continue to meet with the children.”

The children have also shared about the zoom calls. Here are some of their comments: “It’s exciting to meet kids from different locations”; “I like that sometimes our questions were answered from other children at other locations”; “It’s very interesting to have fellowship online with Uncle Serge and other children that we have never met, in places that we have never been!”; “Uncle Serge makes us think because he usually answers our questions with another question”.

Everyone agrees that this new way of meeting is a wonderful experience!

VOH Bulale (Tanzania) Update: Learning to Garden

At VOH Bulale, in addition to the normal school activities, our children also get to learn practical skills like gardening. At the Village, we have a number of trees and gardens and we are growing a variety of fruits and vegetables including mangos, oranges, guavas, and spinach.

The children get to participate and learn how to take care of the plants. They take turns watering the trees and gardens to ensure everything grows well!

The kids enjoy learning about the different plants and taking care of them. We know these practical skills will help them in the future.

VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: VOH Alumni Get Married!

Amissi was cared for by VOH Burundi until 2013 when he graduated and left the program for post-secondary technical studies. Generose began working for VOH Burundi in 2014, one year after Amissi graduated. Generose started as a primary school tutor and then began working as a Health Officer.

Because of their connection to VOH Bwiza, Amissi and Generose met a few years ago and this past week, they got married! We pray for God’s blessings upon them.

VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Health Checks!

This week the children at VOH Chongwe were grateful to receive their regular Hope Packs, which include face masks, soap bars, and a bag of Mealie Meal (for porridge).

Our medical team is involved in distributing the packs and carrying out medical checkups while the children are on-site. They check the children’s height and weight and give them Vitamin C. During these checkups, we take care to observe COVID-19 safety protocols.

We are so grateful that we can continue caring for the children from our community during the pandemic. Thank you, everyone, who has supported our Hope Packs project so far!

VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Supporting Joseph

Joseph is in Grade One at the VOH Kitwe school. He has a medical condition that puts him at high risk of malnourishment. Since the closure of schools, the teachers noticed Joseph had not been coming for the feeding program and to pick up his school work. This prompted his teacher to look for him at his home nearby. Unfortunately, Joseph was found to be in very poor health.

He was immediately brought to our clinic at VOH Kitwe where he received medical attention and was put on medication. He was also given nutritional support to enable him to gain strength and boost his immunity.

We will continue to monitor Joseph and will ensure he receives what he needs to restore his health. Caring for Joseph has all been made possible by the proceeds from Hope pack campaigns and we are so grateful to all who have supported it!

Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!

voh africa hope packs

Each package contains:

  • 1 bottle of liquid hand soap
  • 2kgs of nutritious porridge
  • reusable face masks (with use and care instructions)
  • children’s multi-vitamins
  • a COVID-19 safety handout

Each HOPE Pack costs $20.

Give Hope Packs!

VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Caring for our Community

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those who live in rural areas have become more vulnerable than they already were. This week at VOH Luongo, we extended our love and care to one of the community members of Luongo.

She is a widow who lives on her own near our school. Even though she does not have any child enrolled at our school, she has been there regularly just to help wherever needed. We noticed recently that she had stopped walking due to a medical condition that affected her legs.

As soon as we noticed her condition, we helped her get proper medical attention from the Kitwe teaching Hospital and gave her some food. We have noticed a great improvement in her health so far!

She has expressed her gratitude to VOH for our support and to God for leading her to us.

VOH Malawi Update: Virtual Leadership Summit

This week at VOH Malawi we had the exciting opportunity to attend the Global Leadership Summit by streaming it from our campus here in Malawi. Every afternoon our staff would gather in a large room where we could properly social distance as we took in the event.

All of us were so inspired as some of the world’s greatest leaders shared their wisdom. We are so grateful to Oasis Church in Winnipeg who generously bought VOH Malawi a ticket to this event.

The pages and pages of notes taken by VOH team members testify to the powerful impact it had!

VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Meet Dorcas and Estella

Recently at VOH Maramvya, we’ve been paying visits to the children’s families. This week we visited Dorcas and Estella, two siblings from our VOH community.

Their mother is a widow and is very thankful that we are able to help her care for her children. These two girls are very intelligent; they are in the same class and are both at the top of the class with their grades.

The sisters are always together everywhere they go and they both want to become doctors when they grow up. We are so happy to see these sisters so full of hope for their futures!

VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Musole's Story

We are so excited for Musole, a sweet little boy who graduated from our Save A Life feeding program at VOH Mongu this week!

Musole was brought into the feeding program when he was 10 months old and weighed 6.4kgs, much less than he should be measuring for his age and height. He was brought in by his young mother who struggled to provide the food he needed with the small earnings she made selling veggies in the market from her vegetable garden.

Musole’s mom did such a great job in the program and learned so much about how to properly care for her son and how to keep him healthy! She has also done a great job in the microbusiness classes and her small business is doing so much better and growing nicely so she can afford to care for her son. We know that Musole and his mom have a bright future ahead of them!

VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Family Reunification

Recently at VOH Mwanza, we held a special training for staff all about family reunification. This is an area we are emphasizing and trying to put a lot of effort into this year, as we have a goal of reuniting 20 children from our shelter program with their extended families in the community.

We want our entire staff–from housemothers to teachers–to know why we are doing this and why it is important. We are working with a partner organization, Railway Children Africa, who is helping us with the process and was also able to send some of their staff to help train ours.

The training looked at why reunification is the current trend versus long-term institutional care, why reunification is important, how it benefits both the child and the family/community, and how everyone has a role to play in the process.

It was very well received by our staff and we are grateful for their cooperation in this process.

We pray we will see many children reunited with family and thriving in the community this year!

VOH Zimbabwe Update: Sanitizing Spray

At VOH Zimbabwe, in addition to regular cleaning and sanitizing, we are following health authorities’ recommendations by regularly spraying all public areas that are frequented with a sanitizing chemical.

This includes the clinic, where people come on a daily basis, offices that are used daily, pathways, and the school premises.

Public places can pose a risk, which is why we are committed to keeping them as sanitized as possible.

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This Week: Gifts from Canada and New Uniforms!

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VOH Bulale (Tanzania) Update: Social Work Students Visit

Recently, some social work students from a local college visited our Bulale Village to gain practical insights from our work. They visited some of the children’s homes, learning how to conduct home visits. The students also spoke with our staff to learn how we meet the needs of these children through our programs.

We hope the practical insight will help them in their continued studies so one day they will be the ones continuing to care for, develop, and support their communities.

VOH Bwiza (Burundi) Update: Diane's Story

Diane was abandoned by her mother and her father, who were unable to care for her. A member from her community began taking care of her, but stopped when they were no longer able to.

Diane came in contact with VOH Bwiza in 2013 and she was thankful to finally have a family to belong to. A few months after joining VOH, she accepted Jesus and was baptized by Pastor Delson, the VOH Burundi Director.

Diane lived in our youth homes for two years. Last year, she graduated from secondary school and now she works at VOH.

This week, we were excited to celebrate her wedding! We are so happy for Diane and her new marriage and wish her all the best!

VOH Chongwe (Zambia) Update: Container of Gifts!

This week at VOH Chongwe the children received gifts of clothes and toys, which came in the annual container we receive. Our staff helped with distribution while adhering to all COVID-19 health measures.

We are so thankful to everyone who helps make this container possible each year. It puts big smiles on our children’s faces!

VOH Kitwe (Zambia) Update: Boxes of Love!

This week at VOH Kitwe, we distributed Boxes of Love!  It was an exciting time for children, each of whom waited excitedly to receive their box.

While the children’s parents waited, our staff spoke to them about health and safety during the pandemic.

Support our Work During COVID-19 by Giving Hope Packs!

voh africa hope packs

Each package contains:

  • 1 bottle of liquid hand soap
  • 2kgs of nutritious porridge
  • reusable face masks (with use and care instructions)
  • children’s multi-vitamins
  • a COVID-19 safety handout

Each HOPE Pack costs $20.

Give Hope Packs!

VOH Luongo (Zambia) Update: Boxes of Love!

This week at VOH Luongo, the boxes of Love were distributed and the children were excited to receive them! The children found school supplies, bags, toys, and clothing in their boxes.

Our staff was thrilled to see how joyous the children were; for a moment they stopped worrying about the pandemic.

We ensured Covid-19 health guidelines were followed and spoke to the parents while they waited about health and safety.

Thank you, everyone, who makes these boxes possible each year!

VOH Malawi Update: New School Uniforms

This week at VOH Malawi we were sizing all of our students for their new school uniforms. It’s always an exciting time for the kids!

The uniforms include dresses for girls and button-down shirts with shorts for boys. The students also receive socks and school shoes.

We spread the uniform sizing activities out over a full week to ensure physical distancing could be maintained during the process. Even though current COVID-19 measures have all schools closed in Malawi, we are still preparing ourselves for the reopening.

VOH Maramvya (Burundi) Update: Human Rights

Recently at VOH Maramvya, the Ministry of National Solidarity and Human Rights and Gender came to visit the Village. They were working in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee(IRC).

The group visited us to ensure we value human rights, especially the rights of our children. After their visit, they were pleased to see how our program is run.

VOH Mongu (Zambia) Update: Issac's Art

We have such amazing artists at VOH Mongu! Isaac is only 14 years old, in our Grade 10 class at VOH, and has been drawing and painting for only a couple of years. He has such a natural talent and it’s been amazing to watch him grow as a person and an artist through this outlet.

Isaac’s favourite medium is pencil, but he has been branching into acrylic and watercolour paints and is loving them.

He says he wants to become a professional artist when he gets older and wants to travel the world. It’s amazing seeing him grow and develop his artistic abilities!

VOH Mwanza (Tanzania) Update: Christina's Story

Little Christina, who is only one and a half years old, was dropped at our VOH Mwanza gate around 9:30 pm one evening. She and her mother were known to VOH Mwanza as she had come previously to ask for help. We had explained to her that we do not take children away from their parents, but do what we can to help support families within the community.

Unfortunately, it seems her mother became desperate and dropped little Christina off with a letter and ran away. Our staff took Christina in as it was nighttime, but the following morning went first to make a police report and then to the local Social Welfare office to open a case there. We are doing everything we can, working with local authorities and community leaders, to locate Christina’s mother as well as any other family she may have in the area.

Another babies home in town was at full capacity, but have started to support Christina by providing formula milk, which is incredibly helpful as she is malnourished, and not in a good state of health.

Christina also suffers from some mental and physical disabilities. For now, Christina will receive temporary care and shelter at VOH Mwanza, but we hope to find her extended family and be able to reunite her with them very soon.

VOH Zimbabwe Update: New Child Safeguarding Policy

A new child safeguarding policy for VOH is being implemented at all our locations.

Each VOH location is different based on its location and the culture and laws where they work, so VOH Zimbabwe has begun the process of looking at the new policy to contextualize it for a Zimbabwe-based implementation.

This week our committee reviewed the policy and began the process of planning its implementation at our Village. Our team includes a child welfare supervisor, social workers, and members from the community. We hope the next weeks will be fruitful as we put this plan together so we can care for our children even more effectively.

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