The Children
There are
currently 21 children under the supervision of the Home of Hope.
Nineteen are living at the HOH, and two (Chipo & Talent), due to
special needs, are living with Sister Rut. The new children are:
Tinashe (10), Anyway (3), and Godknows (4) – all boys!
Mothers
The children and
I decided to hold a Mother’s Day. We planned and prepared
the meal (on Jeff’s grill), put on a short play “The Very Selfish
Crocodile”, sang songs, and made cards of thanks for the mothers. We
wanted to honor them for their hard work and dedication to the HOH,
especially during such a financially strapped year. Edith Marange
(wife of the Pastor/Station Chair), Joyce Tsiga (Matron of the
Hospital), and Mrs. Tshiani (wife of the Medical Supervisor) were
also in attendance.
Nancy Kapfunde: Nancy is the
oldest and most experienced of the mothers. She lives at the home
day and night, generally Monday – Friday. She has been in charge of
the children’s files and expenditures for the HOH.
Tsitsi Kapfunde: Tsitsi is
Nancy’s daughter-in-law.
Everjoyce Chapeyama: Everjoyce
was formerly a preschool teacher. She works days one week and
nights the next. Her home, Nancy’s, and Tsitsi’s are all together.
Her husband died in 1995. Her one son, Will, graduated from Nyadire
Teachers College, He and his wife, Fungisai, are both teachers.
Ndaizivei Chimbwanda: Ndaizivei
was the mother that I saw the least due to her work schedule. She
and the other mothers work very hard at keeping the 19 children fed,
healthy, and in clean clothes.
Mentors
The attempt is
being made to find mentors for each of the children at the HOH. The
UMW visited the children while we were there for prayers and for
treats. (Some of these women take the children in for visits.) The
children were delighted to dance with Reverend Marange and to
receive freezie pops from the UMW women.
Birthdays
Some of the
children have birth certificates and known birthdays. Mother Nancy
allows those without documented birthdays to celebrate on various
other days.
AIDS
Three of the
children are HIV-positive. All are being evaluated and carefully
monitored.
Malaria
A few of the
children and the administrator, as well, came down with malaria
while we were there. Although less common in the wintertime,
malaria continues to be a real threat. Rev. Lloyd Nyarota and D.S.
Rev. Razo delivered 75 nets while we were there.
Needs
Each child needs
a backpack for school with a Tupperware-like container for their
snack.
HOH needs
doormats, metal basins, metal buckets, and a new iron.
The mothers need
warm new, warm bathrobes for those very cold nights in their winter
and new aprons. |
