HARARE VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Overview
Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city; is the country's principal economic and administrative centre. Due to the economic implosion of the last decade, as many as one third of Zimbabwe’s most qualified citizens have left. For years Zimbabwe has had the fastest shrinking economy of any country not in a state of war. Income levels have crashed and the life expectancy for both men and women is the lowest in the world (34 and 37). At present nearly a third of Zimbabwe’s children are orphans. Zimbabwe’s population is hugely affected by the struggles of poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS. There are countless opportunities to impact the lives of those that are affected by these problems. ACTS volunteers are involved in partnering with a number of local initiatives that are aimed at serving the surrounding communities. Given the extent of the orphan crisis, we have chosen this to be our main area of focus.
The Orphanage Ministry
While we have pre-established relationships with the initiatives mentioned below, it is up to each Volunteer to shape their own experience. From time to time initiatives that are not listed below will invite us to temporarily serve them in some way at a particular time (E.g. A youth event)
St. Josephs Boys Home
This huge, colonial-style, building and boarding house is situated near Harare’s city centre and is home to 55 teenage boys. ACTS Volunteers help these young men with extra lessons and homework, and share in discipleship sessions and bible studies. We are also directing our focus to the refurbishment of the building, as well as re-painting their bedrooms and hallways. If sports and coaching are your passion – this is your chance, as the boys are always keen for any physical activity. The boys of the St. Josephs home have an incredible enthusiasm for life, although most have come from extremely difficult circumstances, they are passionate about learning, interacting and spending time with new people.
Rose of Sharon
Fatima Maruta is the visionary behind the Rose of Sharon orphanages. It was impressed upon her heart to start up orphanages for abandoned children. She has successfully setup 3 Rose of Sharon homes, which are run in an organized and structured yet loving and caring way.
The most important thing for her is to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the children that stay at the orphanages. Her aim is to change their lives so that they can in turn change the lives of others. Hopefully this will carry over into the community and surrounding areas. Recently, Mrs. Maruta received funds to establish a school where the teens from one of her homes could receive structured schooling. She has since had an overwhelming response from the community, and has taken on more students from the community. The school is linked with the Zimre Park Orphan home, one where ACTS is involved.
Zimre Park- Rose of Sharon School
The teens from the home vary in age from 12 to 20 years and all attend the Rose of Sharon School just around the corner. The School is where we are involved. Most of these young men and women have lost their parents and were left in the care of family members who mistreated them and their siblings. Volunteers teach life skills, offer encouragement and enjoy the company of these inspiring youths; playing games and singing worship songs with them, or even enjoying some entertainment through a DVD and discussions.
Saint Catherine’s Special School
Saint Catherine’s School for special children is in desperate need of assistance on many levels. The headmistress, passionate and committed Mrs. Charity Matanhire has been with the school for many years. The school is not functioning at capacity due to the fact that many of the children’s families find the fees very demanding. There are 50 students attending the school at present. Many of the students are residents and board at the school, as their homes are far. The school struggles with all resources, especially food as the children need regular food intake as their medication necessitates regular meals. Often our volunteers would cook a tasty meal for the boarders, pray with the staff, and assist in the classrooms, as well as spend time doing activities with the children.
Danai Children’s village
Danai Children’s Village is a special home. The feeling of love and family are a reality in this children’s home. The home is founded and overseen by a very passionate lady called Francesca Saungweme. She has a heart for orphaned children. Danai was donated a house to use as their home. There are 26 children in this home, many school- going age and 10 toddlers who are open and friendly and full of energy! The children are loved and secure and enjoy visitors, as does Francesca. The home is in need of basic maintenance and repair, as well as bookshelves. They have a vegetable garden in the back garden, and always appreciate any seeds, or food for the children.
Father’s House
This is the home we have most recently discovered, Mary looks after the 11 children and loves them as her own. Father’s house is located on the outskirts of Harare and is one of the neediest homes we support. Funding for school fees is an on going problem, but more than that they don’t always know where their next meal will come from, there is always maintenance work to be done and the kids although shy and don’t speak much English love having visitors. We would potentially like to get involved in the broader community as there are many children playing in the streets because they cannot afford to go to school.
These 5 orphan homes are ACTS Volunteer Project’s main focus. We put our time, energy and passions into uplifting these homes both through recourses as well as through prayer and encouragement. This is our core group, but we are also involved
Manual Labour/Community Work:
Part of the project is getting involved in the community at large and volunteers often get recruited to be involved in a manual project such as building shelters, shelving, cupboards and jungle gyms, painting rooms inside and out, clearing rocks for play areas, pulling weeds, and planting vegetable gardens etc.
Some additional involvements that our volunteers have been part of:
Due to the fact that Zimbabwe is currently in a state of crisis, in numerous different ways, projects often come up with different things to practically get involved with. For example we may get calls of new orphanages or homes that may need food assistance. Past volunteers got involved with Cholera awareness in the rural areas, and helped hand out information packs and soap. There are often youth conferences or events which are opportunities to serve. It is very exciting to be able to help in current crisis, where there is such a need for helping hands.
The volunteers plan their own evening and weekend activities but what we do get involved with is daily morning devotions and prayer time where we go through a chosen book of the bible and each person leads a morning. Volunteers are involved with New Frontiers group of churches in Harare where they will attend Sunday services and other community orientated events organised by the church. On occasion Volunteers will have the opportunity to visit a small village church in the outlying areas around Harare. In terms of activities the volunteers fill their time with. Around Harare there are a handful of interesting Art Expos, Restaurants and Craft Markets that the volunteers can visit in their free time. Day visits to small game reserves and nature reserves a short drive from Harare can also be organised by volunteers where they will witness amazing sunsets and ancient bushman rock art. Volunteer excursions for 3 or 6 nights can be organised through ACTS where volunteers will get to see the Victoria Falls and take part in various adventurous recreational activities in the area. As well as visiting Antelope Park one of the few places in the world where you can walk in the wild with lions and swim on an elephants back.
Extra:
Seeing the volunteers become a well used and respected source of help is amazing. It really is a pleasure for all the ACTS staff to be involved with a project such as this, working with people who have a heart for the children in Harare, and to give of their gifts to bless each child, all of whom are eternally grateful for their investments.
LET'S GO!
Mission Travel is planning a family-friendly mission trip to Zimbabwe in March/April 2012. This trip will cater specifically for those interested in working with oprhans & vulnerable children. Children are welcome & encouraged to interact & play with the kids of Zimbabwe - a priceless opportunity. A brochure will be online shortly.
Individual volunteer placements are available year round (except mid Dec-mid Jan). We prefer a minimum stay of 2 weeks. Please email us for a quote to info@missiontravel.com.au
