ADRA CONTAINER ARRIVES IN ZIMBABWE

 

A report from ADRA Zimbabwe following receipt of a container from the UK sponsored by the Zimbabwe-UK Adventist Fellowship and ADRA-UK.

News reports highlight that Zimbabwe is currently going through a complex humanitarian crisis which has resulted in a lot of people falling below the poverty line. Basic requirements such as clothes and medical care are out of reach to many people. Health institutions have deteriorated in infrastructure and equipment and no longer have the ability to replace worn out supplies. The Seventh-day Adventist church runs ten clinics and two dental practices country-wide. They are serving critical members of the community who are limited in resources.

 

On the other hand, the church has over 300 schools country-wide and Rural District Councils are appealing to the church to take over some of their schools due to limited resources for efficient running.

 

ADRA Zimbabwe received a wide variety of materials which were mobilized by the Zimbabwe-UK Adventist Fellowship. Upon arrival of the materials, they were sorted into the respective categories. We received support from Pathfinders from The Grange church in Harare (including 20 from a recently opened branch in farms just outside Harare) and from the local multi-cultural church. We had a very busy Sunday sorting out the different materials.

 

We had 2 volunteers who tested all the computers and televisions to ensure that only functional ones were distributed. We appreciate their commitment since one of them would come in after work to give his expertise towards this good cause. The computers are being distributed to four schools - Shashane secondary school in Kezi, Matebeleland, South - this is an Adventist day school which goes up to A-Level, Lower Gweru Adventist school, Ruya Secondary school and Northwood Adventist primary school. These will greatly improve the curriculum and exposure of the children in these schools. Lab scales were also allocated to schools.

 

Hospital equipment including beds, mattresses, walking aids, crutches, wheelchairs, kitchen cabinets etc were divided among the 10 clinics. The East Zimbabwe Conference happily collected the items for their institutions and praised the Lord for such love and selflessness.

 

Conferences were allocated sewing machines for the Women's Ministries department and those in the HighView Federation (Highfield, Glenview areas) have already started sewing clothing for the less privileged in the community. By November they are planning to be in the Mhondoro area where they will be distributing some of these materials.

 

Clothes, bicycles and toys were also in ample supply in the container. ADRA Zimbabwe continuously get appeals from various sectors of the community. After assessing the needs, clothes were distributed to Chinyaradzo children's home. This was done in conjunction with children from Glendale church in Harare who had also collected various items to share with their peers. The occasion was covered by Zimbabwe television as they were touched by children touching the lives of other children. This has prompted other people to seriously start thinking about their social responsibility.

 

The materials donated have gone a long way in addressing the needs of our institutions and individuals. It has also promoted the mission of ADRA Zimbabwe, which is to assist those in need.