Zimbabwe: Harare Project

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MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

ACTS Volunteers work alongside existing local, church based initiatives that are effectively reaching communities with a hands-on demonstration of Jesus’ love – offering a hand up, not a hand-out. The love, time and resources poured into these projects by ACTS Volunteers massively support and capacity-build the local teams who, in turn, continue the work after volunteers have left, so volunteers are part of something sustainable and effective.

Orphan Care:
ACTS Volunteers feed and clothe orphans and also offer love, discipleship and school-fee support, as we trust God to break the cycle of dependency and brokenness through these young lives changed by His Kingdom.

Child Evangelism:
Zimbabwean schools are wonderfully open to the Good News and many welcome evangelism and discipleship work on campus and during school hours. ACTS Volunteers make the most of this wide-open door to young lives that are wide-open to Truth.

Shared Faith:
ACTS Volunteers impact Africa with Christ, and leave impacted by Christ in Africa. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in shared devotion times and to work through discipleship material – drawing near to God in a time and place where everything is new, trusting that his word and call to missions will be new and life-changing. The daily interaction with other followers in Christ is a wonderful context for growth, ministry and friendship.

The Orphanage Ministry:
While we have pre-established relationships with the initiatives mentioned below, it is up to each Volunteer to shape their own experience. We encourage volunteers to act on their own initiative in areas where they have particular skills and passion. Different skills such as- construction, building, repair & painting experience, a medical background as well as teaching skills, are required to positively impact the orphanages. Should the volunteers need any guidance or advice, the volunteer coordinators are always available to help guide along the way. From time to time initiatives that are not listed below will invite us to temporarily serve them in some way at a particular time (E.g. A youth event)

St. Josephs Boys Home
This huge, colonial-style, building and boarding house is situated near Harare’s city centre and is home to 55 teenage boys. The building is in desperate need of refurbishment and a coat of paint. ACTS Volunteers help these young men with extra lessons and homework, and share in discipleship sessions and bible studies. If sports and coaching are your passion- the boys are always keen for any physical activity. The boys of the St. Josephs home have an incredible enthusiasm for life, and although most have come from extremely difficult circumstances, they are passionate about learning about life.

Rose of Sharon
Fatima Maruta is the visionary behind the Rose of Sharon orphanages. It was impressed upon her heart to start up orphanages for abandoned children. She has successfully setup 3 Rose of Sharon homes, as well as one Rose of Sharon School, which are run in an organized and structured yet loving and caring way. The most important thing for her is to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the children that stay at the orphanages. Her aim is to change their lives so that they can in turn change the lives of others. Hopefully this will carry over into the community and surrounding areas.

Rose of Sharon - Zimbre Park
At this home are children who range in age from 13 to 20 years and all attend the neighbouring Rose of Sharon School. At this home these children are taught life skills and are encouraged to learn to care for themselves. These orphans tell sad tales of hardship of the lives they lived prior to being brought to the orphanage. Volunteers teach life skills, offer encouragement and enjoy the company of these inspiring youths; playing games and singing worship songs with them.

Danai Children’s Village
The word “Danai” in Shona means “to love one another”. That is exactly what this home strives to achieve. The manager of the home, Francesca Saungweme, has a heart for orphaned children. It has been running for 6 years and most of the staff has been with them since the beginning. There are 25 children all together, 10 of which are energetic toddlers. The staff are dedicated and hard working and often need prayer and encouragement. Supplies are in short supply, and the home is in need of general maintenance as well as shelving.

Saint Catherine’s Special School
Saint Catherine’s School for special children is in desperate need of assistance on many levels. All children have learning difficulties: moderate, severe and profound. The headmistress, passionate and committed Mrs. Charity Matanhire has been with the school for many years. The school is not functioning at capacity due to the fact that many of the children’s families find the fees very demanding. There are 50 students attending the school at present. Many of the students are residents and board at the school, as their homes are far. Often our volunteers would cook a tasty meal for the boarders, pray for the staff, and assist in the classrooms, as well as spend time doing activities with the children.

Manual Labour & Community Work:
Part of the project is getting involved in the community at large and volunteers often get recruited to be involved in a manual project such as building shelters, shelving, cupboards and jungle gyms, painting rooms inside and out, clearing rocks for play areas, pulling weeds, and planting vegetable gardens etc. Some additional involvements that our volunteers have been part of: Due to the fact that Zimbabwe is currently in a state of crisis, in numerous different ways, projects often come up of different things to practically get involved with. For example we may get calls of new orphanages or homes that may need food assistance. The last group of volunteers got involved with Cholera awareness in the rural areas, and helped hand out information packs and soap. It is very exciting to be able to help in current crisis, where there is such a need for hands.

Project Notes

Seeing the volunteers become a well used and respected source of help is amazing. The ACTS staff and ministry program staff have welcomed them with open arms and have found much joy in the friendships developed. It is beautiful to see the bonds being built. Many of the on the ground staff have commented how much their lives have been touched by various ACTS Volunteers in various ways and I know for sure this is the same for the volunteers. They walk away with changed hearts

PROJECT ORIENTATION & SUPPORT

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, you will receive a detailed briefing on basic cultural aspects of your working environment, as well as further information on the current status of our projects and our other program involvements. You will also spend time with your coordinator familiarizing yourself with local surroundings, staff that you will be working with as well as the community centers at which you will be based. Throughout your stay at your placement in Zimbabwe you will have the support and guidance of our project staff and coordinators. They are part of our greater ACTS support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

ACCOMMODATION & MEALs

Accommodation
Our volunteer house is a comfortable and safe home shared with other volunteers during your time here. You may be required to share ablutions and bedroom with other volunteers of the same sex. All bedding can be provided, depending on the total number of volunteers out serving during the time of your stay. Your project facilitator will inform you if bedding is needed nearer to the time of your trip. However, you will need to bring a sleeping bag with you if you are thinking of doing a camping safari during your stay and an extra cover sometimes is useful in the colder months (March - August). All meals, laundry and transportation to and from your projects and tourist activities will be provided and organised by your volunteer co-ordinator. ACTS staff are also available to organize tourist activities, which will be at your own cost.

Meals
All meals will be provided for by ACTS staff during your stay at the various houses, camps and while travelling between sites.

getting there

We will meet you at the airport! Fly into Harare Airport, where you will be met by our project coordinator or a representative from ACTS Volunteers, who will transfer you to the project accommodation.

project costs includes

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc.
• Transfer from the airport or bus station in Zimbabwe to the project accommodation in Harare
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• All daily transportation to and from the project
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your accommodation
• Assistance in your projects by various Living Hope and ACTS volunteer co- coordinators
• Full support from ACTS coordinator throughout your time at your Harare placement

project costs excludes

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet, telephone calls and soft drinks
• All visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary
• Transport after hours and on weekends

day in the life of a volunteer...

This is a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the Harare Orphan Project:

Please note that your itineraries may differ from this, depending on your own experience and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time, school holidays etc and this is simply to give an example.

• 07:00 Wake up
• 07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast
• 08:00 – 08:30 Morning devotion and prayer time
• 08:30 – 13:00 Pick up from ACTS house. Initiative 1
• 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the ACTS house or project site.
• 14:00 – 16:30 Initiative 2
• 16:30 - 18:00 Feedback on day, free time at ACTS house
• 18:00 – 19:00 Dinner
• 19:00 - Free time

Seeing the volunteers become a well used and respected source of help is amazing. It really is a pleasure for all the ACTS staff to be involved with a project such as this, working with people who have a heart for the children in Harare, and to give of their gifts to bless each child, all of whom are eternally grateful for their investments.

outside of ministry

The volunteers plan their own evening and weekend activities but what we do get involved with is a daily morning devotion and prayer time where we go through a chosen book of the bible and each person leads a morning. Volunteers are involved with New Frontiers group of churches in Harare where they will attend Sunday services and other community orientated events organised by the church. On occasion Volunteers will have the opportunity to visit a small village church in the outlying areas around Harare. In terms of activities the volunteers fill their time with. Around Harare there are a handful of interesting Art Expos, Restaurants and Craft Markets that the volunteers can visit in their free time. Day visits to small game reserves and nature reserves a short drive from Harare can also be organised by volunteers where they will witness amazing sunsets and ancient bushman rock art. Volunteer excursions for 3 or 6 nights can be organised through ACTS where volunteers will get to see the Victoria Falls and take part in various adventurous recreational activities in the area. As well as visiting Antelope Park one of the few places in the world where you can walk in the wild with lions and swim on an elephants back.

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose"
- Jim Elliot, missionary martyr who lost his life in the late 1950's trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador