Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk - February 2020 Update
Zimbabwe
Formerly known as Lovemore Home, the Ministry for Children at Risk in Harare rescued many boys from the streets of Zimbabwe. When Lovemore Home closed as a residential home for boys at the end of 2014, The Outreach Foundation and several of its donors made a commitment to helping the boys who lived in the orphanage complete their education.
We have some exciting updates on these boys! Tichaona Baradzi is excelling in Veterinary Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare. He is completing an attachment (like our internships) learning to inspect and grade meats and poultry. Munashe Kamangira is a student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He will complete an attachment in Information Technology and Accounting this August. Abednicho Kuhomera, who was studying Industrial Engineering at NUST, sat out this past term due to poor performance. He has had time to rethink his priorities and has requested the opportunity to return to university for one last chance.
Brandon Chilangwa just completed his A level exams (12th grade comprehensive) at Presbyterian Boarding School in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe. He scored 14 out of a possible 15 points – this is exceptional!! Simbarashe studied for his A levels at Gloag Presbyterian High School near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Brandon and Simba are considering their options for university, perhaps starting as soon as February! Millan Tasunungurwa also sat for his A level exams at Gloag. He panicked! His score was 3, which is considered a pass, but a very low pass. So, he will go to Mhondoro Presbyterian and study very hard so that he may retake his exams in June 2020. Brendon Muganhiri went to live with a foster uncle when Lovemore Home closed. He attended a day school in the rural areas and did quite well, becoming the prefect of his class. However, the foster arrangement did not work out well. Brendon transferred to Mhondoro Presbyterian Boarding School last year and is doing well again, studying Form 4 (12th grade).
Four boys are at various levels of study at Mhondoro Presbyterian. Nyasha Runodada has just completed his O level exams (10th grade comprehensive), but results are not yet out. He is our youngest boy at 17. Wilderness Niyrenda is starting Form 4 and has made very good grades thus far. Tinashe Mujacachi and Shingarai Sibanda, while outstanding (almost professional grade) soccer players, are not at this point overly interested in being good students. They have concerned and loving foster parents who have arranged for extra lessons and counseling during school holidays. We are all praying that Tinashe and Shingi's attitudes and study habits will improve.
Ian Busu was helping with the boys at Lovemore Home when it closed. A former Lovemore boy himself, he completed a degree in Hotels and Hospitality at Midlands University. He was unable to find a job in very depressed Zimbabwe. He tried joining the police force, but it was discovered that he was diabetic and so he couldn't pursue police work. He got a job teaching middle schoolers math with an emergency certificate and with the stipulation that he complete a degree in education. He has done just that, by taking courses during school holidays and online! His latest challenge has been tuberculosis, but it has been successfully treated. Ian is an outstanding example of determination, and we are very proud of his accomplishments!
Zimbabwe is in a very hard place these days. Inflation is at 300%, and a loaf of white bread costs $18. Unemployment, according to the government, hovers at 80-90%. Gas is hard to find and very expensive. Electric power may work for 4-5 hours a day, often only in the middle of the night. Government leaders seem to have forgotten their people, as over 7 million in a population of 14 million are food insecure and at risk of starvation.
Our Lovemore boys' hope lies in the Lord, and we believe that God wants to work through us to help the boys learn and grow. A generous donor is offering a matching gift opportunity for the Lovemore boys. Each $50 you give becomes $100! With the help of this matching opportunity, we can complete their educations and help them to succeed and shape the life of their nation.
Grateful for your partnership,
For The Outreach Foundation
Lee Cooper, Elder
South Highland Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
Read more about the Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $12,500 to accompany the Presbytery of Zimbabwe in equipping these children with skills through education. You can help us take advantage of the matching fund offer by making a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.