RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.
Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future
|
RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future |
|
|
RENEWED
HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
ANNUAL
REPORT
JULY
1, 2001 TO JUNE 30, 2002
It
was another good trip seeing the school and our friends there,
distributing clothing, blankets and dental supplies to orphans.
The
greatest impact came from visiting orphans in their homes and becoming
aware of the number of children living alone with no adult supervision.
We experienced an emotional roller coaster when children that we
had cared for began to die.
All of us have heard about the high death toll among people with
AIDS but when children begin dying from something they have no control
over, it is heart wrenching.
Staple
food supplies have become scarce and by June had completely disappeared
from grocery shelves.
Those items that are only available on the Black Market are far
too expensive for most of the rural people.
To add to the problem is the drought that Zimbabwe has
experienced during this years growing season.
Most of the rural people raise food for their own family on a
small plot of ground that they farm by hand.
Without rain they will have nothing.
PROJECT
UP-DATE
Due
to the excellent exchange rate that was obtained, it was possible to
accomplish many more projects than had been budgeted.
First, it was possible to build a second staff house at Inyagui
that had not been budgeted.
This reduced the number of families occupying one small house.
However, the headmaster is still living in a storage room because
of the shortage of housing.
Two
classroom blocks were completed at Nyamashato Secondary School shortly
before we left Zimbabwe.
In addition we were able to build one staff house that hadn’t
been budgeted.
At
Nyamashato Primary a windmill was installed that had not been budgeted.
However, the well flow test had been a false one and we
discovered after the fact that the well would not support the windmill.
As a result it became necessary to drill another well and move
the windmill to the new site.
All of this was an expense that had not been anticipated.
The only thing that made it all possible was the exchange rate
that we were able to obtain.
Two 10,000-liter storage tanks were installed on towers.
This provides gravity fed water to the school and staff houses.
In addition one new staff house was constructed that had been
budgeted.
A
Bible Study group was formed with about eight to ten members.
The attendance was not regular, however we persevered.
It has been reported more recently the group is now about 30
strong.
It includes community members as well as staff.
They meet twice a week for Bible Study and prayer
.
The
largest project to date was the formation of an Orphan Care Center with
the help of the community.
After surveying the community and becoming aware of the number of
orphans, especially those living alone, it was obvious that something
had to be done.
With community input a committee was formed to begin laying plans
for such a project.
It was done with the understanding that the community must
contribute wherever possible.
A Board of Trustees was established to act in an advisory
capacity and assist the community when necessary.
The
facility was completed in December 2001.
It began feeding 120 orphans a hot meal each day.
Only those children who are in greatest need are being fed.
This number will undoubtedly increase as more and more children
live alone.
The school has reported that school attendance and achievements
have shown a marked improvement since the feeding program began.
In addition supplemental food supplies are provided once a month
to about 35 families of children who are living alone.
Five women have had Counseling training and regularly visit these
children providing bereavement counseling and HIV/AIDS counseling.
School
fees, school supplies and uniforms are provided to those orphans who
need them.
The Sewing Co-op that was started several years ago supplies the
uniforms.
All of this has been made possible through donations made by many
of you for a specific family or group of children.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
FUTURE
NEEDS
Our
primary goal is to maintain the Orphan Care Center.
The plan is to expand it when and if the funding is available.
People are starving all over Zimbabwe.
Pellagra is a serious problem.
Children are digging in termite mounds and eating the ants in an
effort to survive.
One
plan is to build a pre-school/counseling facility at the OCC.
This will provide classroom space for the pre-school classes
along with a space where pre-school children can be weighed and measured
in order to chart their growth.
The facility will also provide rooms for counselors.
It is desirable to hire a full time trained counselor.
With so many children living alone, it becomes necessary for
there to be a place where they can be taught life skills necessary for
traditional living.
IN
SUMMARY
We
want to thank you for your kindness, compassion, love and prayers that
you have shown us in the past.
Without your contributions we could not help the needy children
and families in Zimbabwe.
If only there were some way, to capture for you, the gratitude
these people show for the things your donations have made possible.
We are the lucky ones and look forward to continuing our work.
Your support has been a great inspiration to us. |
|
Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, Inc. | a 501(c)(3) charity | P.O. Box 1476 | Castle Rock, Colorado | 80104-1476
|