Zimbabwe
Mustard Seed Communities was established in Zimbabwe in July 2002 to assist with the care of children affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since its inception, MSC Zimbabwe developed a multitude of programs serving children and families throughout Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city. MSC Zimbabwe runs three residential care facilities for children with disabilities as well as those orphaned by or infected with HIV/AIDS, providing homes to more than 55 children. Additionally, we maintain four nutrition programs feeding over 500 children a day, three preschools, a training center called Potter’s House, substantial farming programs, a chapel and a health clinic.
Within our mission of caring for the most vulnerable, the goal for MSC Zimbabwe is to look after as many children as possible.
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Children Affected by HIV/AIDS
In Zimbabwe,
the number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the ensuing number of
child-headed households are perpetually on the rise. As a result, the
need for housing and medical care for these children continues to grow.
The Freedom Home, located on the main property in Woodville, cares for
twenty-nine children affected by HIV/AIDS. Our aim is to provide them
with the opportunity to live their lives under proper care and ensure
that they have access to the best possible social, physical, medical and
educational services. Our second home for this population of children,
Generosity, is located in the north end of Bulawayo and provides a
family setting for children who are living with HIV/AIDS.
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Children & Adults with Disabilities
MSC Zimbabwe
continues the work of caring for the most vulnerable at our home called
Joel’s Place. The home is named after one of the first children with
disabilities who came to MSC Zimbabwe. Joel arrived to the home at one
week old and passed away seven months later. Though he was only with us
for a short time, he will always be remembered. Joel's Place provides a
home to nearly 20 children, many of whom have physical disabilities.
Joel's Place draws further inspiration from Joel 2:21-27 which says "The
Lord gives abundantly and fends for those who trust in him."
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Education
There are three Little Angel's Learning Centers in
Zimbabwe, which serve 200 children through the provision of basic
education and two daily meals. We believe that every child has the right
to an education. We offer basic preschool education to children under
the age of 5 in order to prepare them for entrance into first grade at
formal schools. The children attend morning prayers with the staff and
actively participate in the singing and spiritual activities. Currently,
Little Angels Learning Centers are located at the main property in
Woodville, in Sauerstown and in Cabatsha alongside the nutrition
programs at those locations.
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Nutrition
MSC Zimbabwe has nutrition programs in four
locations throughout Bulawayo: Pumula, Cabatsha, Sauerstown and
Woodville. Approximately 500 children receive a wholesome meal each day.
The children also participate in games, informal tutoring and spiritual
activities. The nutrition programs and the activities are led by youth
that volunteer with MSC Zimbabwe. The children travel on foot and
sometimes walk up to 10 kilometers daily to reach the nutrition program
sites. Older children are often responsible for bringing younger
siblings by the hand or on their backs to eat this daily meal.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Three acres
of the main property at Woodville are used for farming and poultry
rearing. The produce, eggs, maize, vegetables and chicken supplement the
children’s dietary needs. MSC Zimbabwe raises both broiler and layer
chicks in average batches of 100 each. The supply of food on site
remains steady at an average of 60 loaves of bread and 100 eggs each
day. Any surplus goods beyond the needs of our nutrition programs are
sold to the local community for income generation. In terms of
agriculture, inconsistent rainfall and climate changes have created some
difficulty in gardens. Successful crops in the past have included
chomoulia, carrots, onions, cabbage, butternut squash and maize. Our
staff has also had an opportunity to visit one of the neighboring farms
to observe and learn from their irrigation methods.
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Community Development & Outreach
In an effort
to support local disadvantaged individuals of all ages and assist them
in becoming self-sufficient, MSC Zimbabwe has established a training
center called Potter’s House. The program teaches skills such as chicken
rearing, vegetable gardening, candle making, baking and other basic
employment training where possible. Potter’s House also offers music,
art and drama programs.
MSC Zimbabwe aims at preparing the youth
to be the leaders of tomorrow and so they are encouraged to be involved
in every area of the organization’s activities. From administrative
work to caregiving, these young people display gentleness, willingness
and respect as bearers of the Christian message of Faith in Action.
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Are you interested in making a lasting commitment to sustain the well-being of a child at MSC Zimbabwe?
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Visit our
Sustain A Life page to learn more about
how to become a
sustaining donor and
make a difference in the life of a child
a world away.
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