Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk — September 2022 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 donors including members of South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama committed to helping the boys who lived in the orphanage complete their education. Lee Cooper from South Highland PC recently sent the following news on the boys:
We can't say Praise God! and Hallelujah! enough that Tichaona Baradzi and Munashe Kamangira have graduated from university, even in the midst of COVID!
Tichaona graduated from the University of Zimbabwe in Harare in Veterinary Sciences. With a bit of seed money, he started a chicken farm with 500 chickens which has morphed into a more profitable piggery. He is also building a small three-shop strip mall. He is quite the entrepreneur and has been blessed with extended family property to use. Munashe graduated from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo in IT and Accounting. He has recently begun a new graphics company, DOPEM, whose goal is to assist start-up companies with advertising and visibility.
We are so proud of these young men and are thankful that their extended families stepped up to the plate to encourage them. This confirms our understanding that orphans with even a little family support fare better in life. Prayers for these two!
Six Young Men Remain in the Program
Wilderness Niyrenda and Brandon Muganhira are in their last term at Gloag Secondary Boarding School before sitting for their exams. How well they perform on these exams determines which courses they qualify for at university. Both are bright and well-behaved.
Brandon Chinyanga is well on his way to completing a degree in Development at Midlands University. He is waiting for exam results from last term before starting a one-year internship. He has never had the blessing of extended family or foster parents but has stayed at Zambuko Catholic House during holidays. He is particularly bright and is working hard. Brandon needs our prayers!
After a slow start, Milan Tasunungurwa has settled in well at Gweru Polytechnic studying Logistics and Transport. Like Brandon Chinyanga, he has no extended family or foster parents. Between school terms and holidays, he stays at Zambuko Catholic House. We are so grateful to this Catholic mission for continuing to shelter these young men beyond their maximum age to be housed as an orphan.
Simbarashe Simbarashe wants a new last name! He has foster parents who love and support him very much and are working with Social Welfare to find a birth certificate. He has had mixed results at Harare Polytechnic and is also awaiting exam results from the last term.
Trust Karikoga, a Lovemore boy who did not qualify academically, has built a good car and truck washing business. He is a very committed Christian and is in love!! He is struggling to accumulate lobola, which grooms in Zimbabwe must pay to the bride's father before marriage.
As the Lovemore boys have grown into young men, they have become more aware and appreciative of the support they have received from The Outreach Foundation and South Highland Presbyterian Church, who provide 100% of their educational aid. Vickie Chatikobo of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe is their unofficial mother and contact in Harare.
This group of orphans in Zimbabwe has made remarkable progress, and they know that we care very much about them. We pray for your continued support.
Gratefully,
Lee Cooper
Elder and Member of the Global Witness Team
South Highland Presbyterian Church
Read more about the Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help equip these children with skills through education. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.