VIM to ZIM

According to Rev. Lloyd Nyarota, Zimbabwe Conference Projects Coordinator, 377 textbooks will be delivered to Clare Primary School, north of Mutare, the week of January 29. These 5 to 10 copies each of virtually every subject taught in each of the school’s seven grades, will make a major difference in the lives of the school’s 600 children.

When our VIM to Zim visited Clare in November, we were heart-struck by what we saw. Ragged, yet energetic and friendly children were in barren classrooms made of converted stables and barns, Devoted and warm-hearted teachers were struggling with few resources to provide them an education. Shortages in rooms, texts, supplies, clothes and food—but not of love or faith.

While the gift of one team member provided for the texts, it started a chain reaction. More help is coming as soon as the school’s leaders work out priorities and cost details. Other generous donations will add to the impact.

Along a parallel line, they have set aside a room for a primary library and hired a woman to prepare recently arrived 165 boxes of books for use. These books were a part of the 600+ boxes we sent in the September/December container to start libraries in four rural primary schools in the area. The children will have books to read. The mastery of English—the nation’s official language and that of instruction in the schools—is their only hope in escaping illiterate poverty.

The generosity of many of God’s people is changing the lives of hundreds of children in that poor rural area!