AFADU has been supporting the kids at Lirhanzo Children’s Village for over 20 years.

IT IS IN A REMOTE PART OF ZIMBABWE AND IS A 3 DAY TRIP TO GET THERE.

Our trip, this year, which turned out to be the best yet was so special and our team consisted of AFADU Board Treasurer and accountant, Jill Farinelli, her partner Mark,  Airlie, friend and barrister Margaret PAVEY, physiotherapist Alice from Adelaide, and myself.

On finally landing in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe we were then picked up by Margret our LCV Manager and Ezelle. It was an emotional meeting for me.

Next day we headed to “Edenvale Ranch”, Ezelle’s home where we will be living for our visit.

JUST A BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY

20 years following their independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was Africa’s most prosperous country and one of the continent’s most popular tourist destinations.

With a fabulous climate, friendly and well-educated population, advanced infrastructure, beautiful landscape and a superb national park system, Zimbabwe had everything going for it, however, it was then plunged into a state of economic chaos.

Most of the largely white-owned farms – once cornerstones of Zimbabwe’s economy, were violently seized by senior government politicians, army officers and “war veterans” –

Cattle were slaughtered, crops left unharvested, the banking system collapsed, investment dried up, economic sanctions were imposed and the Zimbabwean dollar became worthless.

Then came HIV/ AIDS and in 2005, 60% of the population in that area were DEAD. The disease wiped out a whole generation leaving just the children and the old people to survive.

EDENVALE

Edenvale, is no longer a thriving large cattle station .The 40,000 hectares of land  (400 sq km) around Edenvale homestead, was one of those farms given to “war veterans” .

Their own farm workers, were caught up in the HIV epidemic raging around them. Most died leaving their children unable to fend for themselves and there was a lot of violence.

Many Zimbabwean farmers fled at that time BUT Ezelle was determined to stay and build a permanent home for these children.  

LIRHANZO & THE CHILDREN

Lirhanzo Children’s Village was finally registered in 2010 after many long years of government and local mistrust. Today our Children’s homes is considered the best in Zimbabwe .

It is the example used of how to build and successfully run a CHILDRENS HOME and now the Village Heads and Area Chiefs are their staunchest allies and friends

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NOW I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT ON JUST A FEW OF OUR PROJECTS

NEW VEHICLE

At the end of last year a very successful fundraiser was completed and with much excitement and the kindness of the Zimbabwean Government who deleted the stamp duty on the sale, AFADU supporters and others donated enough to purchase a brand new ISUZU 4 wheel drive for the Children’s Village.

This replaced Margret’s old ISUZU that had done 350,000 kms on some of the roughest roads you will ever see.

A HUGE THANKYOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO THIS VERY SPECIAL PROJECT LCV COULD NOT OPERATE WITHOUT IT.

CHICKEN PROJECT

BROILERS are bought for US$1 and are sold for US $6 each. They take 6 weeks to get to full size and the 2 bags of Grain/mash they are fed costs approx. $33 a bag.

The last 30 chickens bought in Masvingo are all doing well.

EGGS are also sold and kids get regular eggs now in their diets and the occasional finger licken chicken dinner

Lucia, Zipporah, Brooklyn, Nyasha and Tfadzwa are all keen Chicken Farmers and help Agnes with this role.

GRINDING MILL

The failed crops have immediately impacted on our grinding mill project which has currently been brought to a halt. Our miller, who usually runs the mill as a business, has been put back on salary until business picks up again. This way, he is available to support LCV as well as grinding the few successful sorghum crops around, already for processing.

DANIEL AND THE GARDENING TEAM

Now in the capable hands of Daniel and his workers and most importantly our Security Guard, Dumazi.

Daniel wrote in his report “Watching something grow is good for morale and it helps us believe in life. With God on our side, the LCV garden is thriving and very soon we are going to expand our farming area.

I have been at LCV for almost 2 years now and during this period I managed to understand and learn a lot of things as a project planner.

I learned about system operations in the garden, garden maintenance, health and safety, sales handling and record keeping. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone concerned in making the Lirhanzo Children’s Village garden a success.

LIRHANZO SCHOOL

We now have over 260 children in the two primary school buildings which are almost full to overflowing

AFADU pays 5 of the ACE teachers and government is responsible for the other 5 primary teachers.

We can now proudly say that our Solar Pumping System now provides running water for drinking and washing hands to the whole school

The teachers are accommodated in housing provided by the Australian Direct Aid Program from grants attained through the Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL

The Zim government sent 5 more teachers to LCV at the start of the year and authorized 35 high school children to begin, despite them not having a complete building.

It is not all negative as It now gives these children, who live so far from the nearest High School in Chikombedzi, about 35 km away a chance to continue to learn.

In the past, after primary school they were forced to stay at home and work on their subsistence farms and many 11-13 year old girls in this area were married off to take pressure of their very poor families. We actually have one girl, married off at 11 to a 60 year old and “rescued” who has now just turned 16 and thriving at the High School in town, where she lives with Margret. Every kid loves Tsitsi

AS well, If the families could afford school fees and boarding fees in Chikombedzi, they were in danger of being raped or assaulted, so

now, they can walk to and from school each day, are safe and look forward to an educated future.

We obviously have a way to go to complete this third school  structure BUT it will happen with everyone’s help

TEACHERS HOUSING

Unfortunately, the government forgot that when you send teachers you must provide housing and it caused quite a chaotic situation which we are presently trying to solve.

Last year, we missed out on DAP funding, so before we flew back to Australia, we organized a meeting with the Australian Embassy and were invited to a very special afternoon tea. The team were able to thank them for previous grants, Jill was able to confirm that all the sponsors money was getting to the coal face and Margaret was able to confirm just how amazing our Charity Governance was and how committed we were so that we may succeed for the next round of funding.

THE HOSPITAL

Alice from Adelaide spent most of the time at the Chikombedzi Hospital working and getting updates from Dr. Mwana who we have been supporting for many years. Sadly, our long term support has been stopped for the time being, so we are urgently looking for a donar/donors to help top up his salary (US$1000month) to ensure he stays.

None of our programs work without Health Care for our children and its community so it is imperative that we find a good soul who realizes just how important it is to have a doctor, working in this remote 160 bed hospital

MARK HELPED BY THE BOYS

While Jill, Margaret and I renewed Budgets with Ezelle and Margret and had meetings with the Guardian Mothers and Teachers, Mark mentored the older boys along with Daniel, Margret’s 2IC, to rebuild the children’s playground.

Unfortunately with the nearest Bunnings 400km away, treated timber not available and even basic fittings, unable to be found at the “local Hardware store”, the lads had to use some lateral thinking to get the job completed before we had to leave. BUT…… of course it was done and kids are now happily playing on it again.

BACK TO THE KIDS

Each day we visited, we were met at the gate by ecstatic kids racing out to laugh and cuddle and see what we had planned for them.

There is so much joy in these children and despite how and why they came to be at Lirhanzo, they are VERY lucky to be part of such a beautiful family where they grow up with love and respect for each other, in such a healthy and safe environment.

A few of our kiddies are HIV + but all are on ARV’s and will live long and happy lives.

If a baby is crying, we would see anyone from a 4 year old to a 15 year old picking up and comforting that child. Throughout their lives they remain “Family” and with Mother Margret and Ezelle as a huge part of it. I am always called Gogo … grandma

I am sure I can speak for the whole team, but , it was so special to spend quality time with these beautiful children. They respect their elders, are  grateful for every little thing that they receive and are loving and caring.

These are just a few of our BEAUTIFUL KIDS. And at the end those  very special Guardian Mums who have loyally worked with the children for well over 15 years. We salute you. You keep them  safe, healthy and loved.

THANK YOU SPONSORS FROM ALL AT AFADU