Not your typical Orphanage  

Orphaned children struggling to survive are at risk of exploitation and abuse. When placed with extended family, unable to afford another child, the child may be deprived emotionally, neglected, or not fully integrated into the new family. These children have  lost  both parents and experience the pain of hunger with the uncertainty of not knowing from where their next meal will come.

 

In the year 2000, RHCF determined there was more that could be done to assist the orphaned children.  The founders, Ralph & Roberta Pippitt, consulted local Zimbabweans who provided guidance in the direction they felt HCOC (Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care) should go in providing this care. These local Zimbabweans stressed the importance of allowing the orphans to remain in the rural areas of their community as opposed to moving them to some type of “brick and mortar” institutionalized environment.  By leaving them in their communities, these children would continue to learn the skills needed to survive in their community as young adults. The idea for HCOC was born.  The orphan care center included feeding centers built next to schools where the orphans could attend school and then be fed two meals per day.  Cooks were hired to prepare the meals thus providing employment for local individuals.