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Ancient Ways
Helping Indigenous People to Help Themselves
Fall Greetings and Giving Thanks!
It’s been a full schedule for several months now between Zimbabwe and here, with little downtime anywhere to be found. I’m just glad to be able to share with you a little before the holiday season is upon us, as that is just around the corner.
Here, we celebrate Thanksgiving, and in good fortune, we share in family warmth and/or comradery. Thank you, friends of Zimbabwe, for being an extension of my familiar circle. You, sharing music, and of course, your interest in our work there, bring much grace and joy to my life. Being on planet earth seems quite complex from astronomical events to world politics and our own nation’s struggles. Everything might fall into disarray, but this love creates buoyancy…thank you all for your part in that!
This latest blog post from Cathy Buckle, a writer in Zimbabwe, talks about hope for her country, and I truly appreciate the sentiment. I have really enjoyed (Is that the right word since sometimes it’s harsh?) her courageous writing and blunt, bold insights over the years. She speaks of the radical changes there, becoming serious beginning in 2000, which was the year of my initial journey to Zimbabwe to start Nhimbe for Progress.
The main thing I recall about that trip was that I was to be hosted by my vision partner, Cosmas Magaya, and his wife, Joyce. Upon my arrival, she was unexpectedly ill and passed away, as I, solo and wide-eyed, welcomed my 3rd morning in a new land. The next full week was an immersion in Shona cultural experiencee with a broken-hearted family. Both my parents and dear godmother had passed away years before, but I hadn’t scratched the surface of sharing that sorrow until being absorbed by the African tradition on behalf of Joyce. Through those experiences I let go of about 100 kilos of grief I didn’t even realize I was carrying. The way that the family intimately embraced me and invited my participation went far beyond any preconception I could have had. I returned to the US unusually light.
That same week the parallel currency market was 42 instead of the legal exchange of 38 Zim dollars to 1 USD, and we thought that $4 was a big deal. Little did I know, that was just the beginning of spiraling inflation and getting a solemn, street-wise education in poverty and the loss of too many dear Zimbabwean friends and family. There has been something so amiss separating humans and their prosperity for quite some time across the planet. This up-close-and-personal glimpse during an impressionable time has stayed in my memory, pushing me to ask questions with nary an adequate answer.
Sometimes I wonder about hope in the face of hardship, and where does this hope come from? After all these years, much to my dismay, I’ve concluded that thousands of years of traditions that have created some of the tragedies and traumas of life in Zimbabwe today are not meant to be solved by someone like me. I am not the solution maker. Perhaps I am just able to infuse some essence of hope in daily life because of your help. You enable me to bring resources, which then open the windows to alternative ways to view life for the average villager and ordinary child.
The heart of Nhimbe has always been the creche (Nhimbe preschool) with its special place among the residents. There are many things we do for the community there, but the preschool reigns supreme. Over the years, international NGOs have been our partners, as have churches, non-profits, and individuals, bringing opportunities to this otherwise underserved area.
All rural areas are particularly affected by massive unemployment, challenging weather patterns impacting agrarian livelihoods, and harsh lifestyles, turning kumusha (a word meaning to go to the rural area and back to one’s roots) on its ear. Our region is no different. What is distinctive is that we, Cosmas and I, asked 6 villages that normally do not work together, to take on the modus operandi of the USA’s melting pot…we asked that they work together for the sake of the whole to help put together a community approach. Its not totally unprecedented, as the words nhimbe and jangano (a project we developed with Fradreck Mujuru’s rural home) were both old fashioned words, meaning “working together to help one another.” The Nhimbe infrastructure and organization put an exceptional new spin on that old idea.
The children’s faces say it all. These recent photos reflect happy children. The food variety that they receive each day at school is improving their nutritional outlook supporting the development of new neural pathways, and that has to be exciting for a child whose family often has little. They are also learning with some of the best tools and teachers available.
This little girl shares a poem and her dance for us, being enjoyed by everyone present. These children exude gratitude, and we also are so very grateful for how you have supported this mission over the years. We know that, financially, many of you have taken some tough hits with our US economy being assaulted in a variety of ways, and we deeply appreciate that you keep us in your prayers as well as on your list of gifting organizations. Many thanks your way for both types of encouragement and sharing our story with friends, family and co-workers. Plus, utilizing your employer’s matching fund program is extremely empowering for your dollar!
Bye for now from the preschool! Thank you for whatever you can do (and if you can, consider a recurring donation here or a bank draft. You make the difference to help us make a difference!)
MMC Fridays Are So Fruitful!
Thank you for your continuing interest and support of our Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) program. This program is very well loved by all of the Nhimbe residents as well as the government officials and chief. We are clearly filling a critical niche in the lives of these children.
The girls are able to attend meetings from any age and so, learn early on the basics of monthly care, and benefit from the comradery that only grows out of coming together weekly. Currently, we have around 120 brand new girls in the Nhimbe program. Numbers aren’t yet in on the other 10 schools (generically called Hombe), but they are definitely on the docket to receive supplies and continue with the program this year.
The latest piece of excitement on the ground is the girls being able to get their hands on the Menstrupedia Comic books that the Vasikana Project translated into Shona from Hindi. We are thrilled to be collaborating with them! They donated 5 books to Nhimbe, we purchased another 50 to be supporting their work, and we will be distributing those to the 10 schools to whom we have been providing supplies. The English translation is also a wonderful book for any young girl. We also bought one copy for the Girl Child Network Zimbabwe since the book wasn’t on their radar. Each book is $5 in case you would like to contribute.
You can see from the girls’ faces that they are really enjoying this book. It requires them to read, plus teaches them so much about their bodies and life. Our next step is a partnership with Girl Child Network Zimbabwe to train all the teachers for Nhimbe and Hombe using the comic book as a guide. Our plan is to co-develop this. The profound content provides an excellent foundation and outline.
The music, song and dance is a key piece, of course, just like for any of us that share in a music-based experience. It’s not only bonding because that is what music does, but it’s also their traditional music, which has been passed on orally for centuries, so it helps them stay rooted in the positive ways of their culture.
I think you know that many people around the world, children and adults alike, think that there is something better about the west, and so have been abandoning their native languages, clothing, music, etc. Our program has a focus to help them be aware of the rich heritage from which they come. Weekly classes in the new marimba room are quite spectacular, as there is room for all ages to share in song and dance, and receive instruction on marimba!
Check out this video of them learning Nhemamusasa!
“Nhemamusasa,” (Sh. “cutting trees for a temporary shelter”) is one of the ancient songs in the mbira repertoire of the Shona people. Msasa is the name of the tree, and hunters going out for more than one day at a time would cut branches of the tree to make a shelter. During the war for independence, soldiers/freedom fighters would hide in the bush using the msasa tree branches to stay hidden and make a home for a time. (Thanks Claire for the clairification ;*))
For 2025, we have already begun making and distributing MMC monthly care supplies to the new girls who are blossoming this year. Not only does the family’s need to put food on the table compete with a maturing girl’s hygiene needs, but most profoundly, these supplies keep the girls in school getting an education. No reason to miss school because of a lack – now commonly called “period poverty” around the world. Zimbabwe is no exception in this regard. The last thing a family wants is an idle child out of school, or someone who is not part of her school community. These young MMC girls have a better chance of avoiding pregnancy, early childhood marriage and STD’s as well as prostitution, which is on the rise. Any way that you would like to support the MMC program is very appreciated!
Gratefully, we want to acknowledge all of you who have been there with us helping these girls. It’s life transforming to have these supplies, not only for the educational reasons and keeping her out of harm’s way, but also for her life-long self-esteem, for which there is no substitute. Imagine not having a graceful way to deal with a maturing girl’s circumstances!
Thank you for whatever you can do, and however you might like to do it. This link is for recurring donations, which makes tons of sense for this situation that is clearly recurring! Your donations make the difference – and any amount helps. Tatenda Chaizvo!
Goats and Young Girls Flourish!
Thank you so much for your recent contributions toward our efforts to uplift our neighbors in Zimbabwe! There is much activity on the ground there, so I’m not sure where to start. First, let me give a brief update about the water and food situation with more to follow after this weekend.
We’ll have pictures about the maize delivery that began the beginning of March, hopefully by next week. This will include an update sharing the exciting irrigation plans, about which we continue to remain very optimistic. If you haven’t read about the drought or our last blog please click here. Your help with this undertaking is impactful! If you are in a position to help us in this work, just know that we continue to source the special drip hose plus offer a workshop to all the families who are interested. More to follow in a few days!
Besides a drought update here are a few pictures of the goats we bought for the staff volunteers in January. This was our way of saying thank you to them for all of their commitment and dedicated hours in creating this “happening place” called Nhimbe for Progress. We very much appreciate all they are doing for the community at large, so gave each staff member a goat. The best part of a goat gift is that they are all nannies, and will bring future kids for years to come. Having too many goats is a good thing. Goat meat is often needed for formal gatherings, like weddings, funerals and the like, so everyone is very appreciative. Many thanks to you!
Febby, our co-director, head of the preschool and MMC, is radiating Tatenda chaizvo (we thank you very much) as she holds her goat!
Some of the staff with their nannies, feeling mighty happy.
Kenny with his goat, looking very pleased. He is our MMC Marimba teacher and gardener as well.
As you can see, the volunteers all are feeling appreciated! We work to see that they feel recognized in various ways, because the stipend they are given is not as high as we would like. These kinds of bonuses do make a difference.
MMC Distribution
So far in 2024, thanks to your incredible assistance, we have been able to put 360 start-up kits in the hands of new girls in the area. We are continuing to reach out to the Rukuma primary and secondary school as they are well-organized, being in a partnership with Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe. Because of this, the teachers there are able to provide all of the services that we need to fulfill our program requirements. We provide the start-up kits for these remote locations, and they are able to provide the meetings and follow-up. I love collaboration!
This distribution is for the new Nhimbe for Progress girls.
With Febby (left), the MMC lead, and Fortunate (right), the second-in-command and the voice you most often hear in the videos, the girls are given their soaking buckets and supplies, which last 3-5 years, amazingly enough. From the tiny ones still in primary to the secondary older girls, they are all very grateful!
Receiving a bar of soap each month helps the family with their priorities and keeps hygiene in the discussion. Putting soap on the grocery list can be really tough when there is not enough to eat.
One of the best parts of contributing to the MMC program is seeing BFF (best friends forever) blossoming!
MMC Teen Care Camp Just Last Week
As the school closed for the term, we snagged 120 Nhimbe girls and let them slide right into their fall holiday with us for a few days. We hadn’t had a camp since 2019 and it felt sooooo good! Thank you for your tremendous support reaching across the globe to these maturing girls. They, like many girls around the planet, struggle to have appropriate monthly care supplies and essential guidance from mentors during puberty. We are so grateful for your help making it possible to provide the girls with our MMC Teen Care Camp opportunity!
As is traditional, the girls carry their belongings on top of their heads. They also bring firewood as able, contributing to the costs of the camp.
Bearing modern backpacks and their MMC bucket, these girls are ready to chill for the weekend. Actually, they remain very active but it’s fun-filled with non-routine activities, plus they get to make so many friends. Here is a video to open a nice window to being there.
And the final step to be fully present is to turn in your parents’ release form for the slumber party.
Getting ready for the evening activities…how exciting! This girl has been to more than one camp and has earned her place as Firestarter.
Three meals a day with beans, rice, chicken, sadza, cabbage, tomatoes, tea with milk, etc. on our grocery list . . . these girls are eating well . . . for some, these are likely the best meals they have had in a while!
This song the girls are sharing is reminiscent of the Girl Guides International roots, which supported our beginnings. They practice marching and salutes as part of the program. Here they are heading out to the forest.
The hiking is always a favorite part of the camp. Think about it…how often is it safe anywhere in the world for a girl to go off into the forest? But with the group it is totally fine and very empowering. They really enjoy climbing trees.
This is most of the tribe . . . seems like a huge commitment on the part of the volunteers who keep things moving so well!
Even though some have their eyes closed, I love how they are being silly and clearly relaxed.
Part of being in MMC is learning about service to the community. Here they have collected small branches to take to the elderly.
This ambuya (grandmother) is getting some assistance at her home. I’m fairly certain she is blind as she looks very familiar to me. Without relatives, the elderly rely on community support to get help with the basics. Kindness is often shown to those in need. There but for the Grace of God, go I.
Another service opportunity is when they sew dolls or puppets for the preschool children. At camp they get to work on learning how to sew. This is not only practical for homemaking, but very specifically they can learn how to make the reusable washable supplies we provide. When they move on in their lives from the MMC program they can be equipped with skills.
Now we get to the part of this story with lots more music . . . hoping you have hung in there to the end and can listen in to their incredibly innate vocal gifts.
Let’s start with the dance-chant.
The Magaya’s home yard is not just swept but they also give him a special song of thanks denoted by the particular way they are clapping.
Here is a very endearing thank you speech to the donors by this young girl. They practice public speaking to be able to remain confident and clear.
This thank you video is in Shona. Listen to see if there are any English words coming through. The word ‘donor’ is not a Shona word. This means that in the traditional language the word doesn’t exist. This is true for any words that were not part of the original language. For example, they use the English word for car or truck, popping it into their sentences. There was basically no English language in the country a mere 140 or so years ago when they were first colonized.
You marimba enthusiasts will enjoy this one, as well as this familiar traditional song. These are our MMC girls and the lessons you have provided!
This feels like a very unstructured “partaaay” song.
Here the girls are heading home after a great couple of days and nights together. This has been a wonderful homecoming to camp again after no such opportunity since 2019. Thank you so much for your continued assistance!
If you have any questions about the programs we are providing, please don’t hesitate to ask! We love talking with you, so always feel free to reach out!
We are profoundly grateful for those who can budget something to step into this particular way of reaching our Zimbabwean neighbors. Check out the options here and choose your preferred programs.
If you can consider a regular monthly contribution, either directly through your bank, or a recurring donation here on the website, it can make a huge difference to the lives of these people. Thank you for whatever you can do!
2023 Mhandara Monthly Care Continues Successfully!
Our Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) program continues with great success, as a direct result from your support! We already have 267 girls on the wait list for 2023. So far, we have only connected with our nearby Nhimbe girls and three other schools (Rukuma primary and Gavaza primary and secondary). With your help we can further reach the girls at Makaure and Nyamashesha at a minimum. Let me share our process a bit, so you can see for yourself how your donation makes a huge difference! (Here is more detailed information.)
The Nhimbe for Progress MMC girls were the first to be established, as an outcome of our early efforts with the Youth Well Being camps. That is where we first learned in 2010 that some parents couldn’t afford underwear for their girl children so we started “Underwear for Over There”, and then at the next camp we found many girls were missing school and extra-curricular activities because of inadequate monthly care supplies. They were also lacking the nurturing of the traditional tete or auntie, due to the deaths of many women of that generation, as well as land redistribution encouraging families to move from their rural homes. All of this was the birth of what we know as MMC. Every girl deserves these basics! Do you agree?
Here a Nhimbe group is receiving some monthly soap as part of January services. Soap is an added expense for a family already struggling to put food on the table, make uniforms and pay school fees. The second girl in on the left is a joker…has her foot on her friend’s, who is giving her a knowing glance.
We have both new girls just beginning to blossom, and those that have been there for years. These four girls above are brand new to the program.
We have about 20 girls who received their first start-up kits in 2018 who are just now receiving a second start-up kit. The longevity nature of these re-useable supplies is unexpected. We felt that 3 years was about the normal life, but surprisingly they have lasted longer.
The Nhimbe girls continue to study marimba on Friday afternoons. Some girls play, dance, hosho, sing and drum, while others are studying sewing, or going to our great Nhimbe library, for example.
Our goal is to empower the girls to play, rather than encourage timidity like in the co-ed classes…seems like they are doing great – don’t see any shyness! Anyone who has taken marimba knows that class lessons may mean playing the same song over and over again, although, each segment has something special to learn and share. By the end there is a new hosho player (the rattles), for example. In all cases, the preschoolers who attend, because they are tagging along with staff moms or siblings, are just delightful, learning through immersion! Here is a video link of a recent class.
The rest of the satellite schools we call the Hombe Program, meaning everyone else non-Nhimbe. We talked with the headmastser:
I am Mr Shangwa, the headmaster of Rukuma primary school. Though today I did come in casual because I had another thing, another project, to do with the parents. That is why I am casually dressed. I really appreciate the program extended to this school, being a very much disadvantaged school. Appreciate though the gifts that I am getting, we are receiving, from Nhimbe for Progress being managed by Mr. Magaya. Mr. Magaya is really helping the school and assisting the disadvantaged people in the area. I also appreciate the hand being given by the donors from outside Zimbabwe. Whatever they are giving us is being fully utilized, and given directly to the disadvantaged child, children. Please would you keep it up because the assistance is really being appreciated by the poor. Thank you very much.
In this video, the headmaster also shows us the condition of their preschool buildings, which have been in this sad state for around 5 years. With only poor parents being served, the repairs do not get done. We are so grateful for you being benefactors of our Nhimbe preschool saving them from the Rukuma fate! We’ve seen our share of inclement weather and other disruptive issues. Rukuma is a primary school going from preschool up to grade 8.
Muda taxis Febby and Fortunate, our main leaders and also preschool teachers, to each satellite school to make our program approach practical, since it’s quite a distance to walk easily. They then share on the grass with the new girls who are now ready for MMC. The female teachers, who you can see sitting at the picnic table, support the girls on a routine basis. Notice the school building’s broken windows, which is commonplace in rural Zimbabwe.
We also have been able to provide MMC to the Gavaza school again this year. The headmistress takes care of a primary and secondary school and shares her appreciation here in this video.
My name is Victoria Muchenje. I am the head of the Gavaza primary school, in Chegutu District, Mashonaland Province, in Zimbabwe. I would like to appreciate the gesture being taken by Nhimbe for Progress and our partners in America, especially in uplifting the lives of the girl child in disadvantaged communities including our school, which if they could continue doing that, and even more. To our partners, please do not tire! Keep on giving us a hand. We do appreciate it. May God bless you. Thank you very much.
She points out to our team that the government no longer provides any support for the school and so the parents are required to fundraise for everything. She also explains that the girls are missing valuable class time due to a lack of needed monthly care supplies. The school staff, the parents, and the children are all so very grateful for MMC. Please donate here – any amount will help the health and wellbeing of our maturing girls!
The focus of the day becomes the distribution of the MMC bundle, which gets put together in a great package including the re-useable washable supplies, a soaking bucket, giant sealable baggie (these were nearly impossible to get when we first started a few years ago), and a sewing kit for learning how to make a purse. The older girls are called upon to help.
In the following picture I love the two girls in the center sharing a lovely relaxed countenance during this event…they look like best buddies!
We are super proud of our Nhimbe leaders, Febbie, Fortunate and Muda, as well as our manufacturing arm of the team, for making MMC a reality, and making it possible for us to reach out to the Hombe schools with the help of the local teachers. It takes many pieces of the puzzle for this to succeed. It feels like the parents, teachers and girls are all passionate about this work and helping it to flourish!
Thank you ever so much for your continued support and encouragement. Please consider a contribution of any amount here….whatever you can do makes a difference!
Summer Greetings from Lacomb!
Hope this finds you and yours well, and enjoying your summer. The weather variability is one of the hottest topics of conversation all over the world. It is sizzling here for our little web feet…the frogs and ducks prefer more moisture!
LOCAL MID-VALLEY UPDATE
We have been very wrapped around gigging the mid-valley, from Scio, to Silverton and Philomath, having had two events cancelled due to extremes in weather, and with two upcoming opportunities this week in the Corvallis area. One is a private event, but please feel welcome to support the Willamette Grange restoration project (Greenberry Rd.), which is open to the public, this coming Saturday evening from 7 to 8:30 pm, as we share the uplifting music that we study together throughout the year. Even during lock down, we were learning online, or outside under our barn’s carport, and now are so happy to be out and about, able to celebrate what we love, which is both this music, and bringing attention to Zimbabwe’s situation.
Besides the ongoing music study, and more student vacations than I ever recall, we here on the farm have quite an extensive gardening project underway, learning from our Zimbabwean neighbors about living as close to the land as possible, and being blessed by nature’s bounty. The rather wet spring, followed by the heat waves, have kept us a little on edge, learning to be far more adaptable, and developing new gardening skills. I continue to be in huge gratitude for the nurturing that comes from the earth, and also a superbly functioning well bringing water from an underground stream. We did have a problem with the well iron filter during the hottest spell at the beginning of the month, and so I have been left with an even greater ever-appreciation for W.A.T.E.R!
MHONDORO WEATHER AND FOOD UPDATE
Due to your incredible support last fall, we fulfilled our agreement to provide maize to the staff getting them through May. Green mealies (more like our fresh corn) usually come on by March to April, but this year, it again didn’t happen that way. The residents have been messed with by the weather patterns for quite a few years now. A high percentage of crop failures meant no staple crop amongst the local people in our villages.
So, we again purchased 1 ton of maize to get staff through from June until December of this year. That really won’t completely solve the problem, since whatever they are planting in November won’t be harvested until March ’23, but it at least will help. I didn’t reach out to you and ask for your assistance when we made the decision. Muda and Febby, the project directors, presented a compelling case for stepping up again. We discussed the realities and moved forward quickly, since prices have been skyrocketing there. If you have the heart for supporting this staple food program, please do so now, here! We spent $2,000 in June (which included the transport by oxcarts), believing in the goodness of people supporting our efforts, and the hope that this is a temporary type of staff aid!
The war in the Ukraine is affecting Zimbabwe the same as the rest of the world. We in Nhimbe, see the impact in fuel, cement, and food prices, which seem to make haste to increase. When this first started happening, we jumped on it and purchased the essentials for the preschool, doubling our normal purchase. That saved us hundreds of dollars. Recently we purchased cement for well building before prices rose any further, with a plan to build the wells that your donations requested for 2022.
Due to the network issues, which haven’t been fixed from the last couple years of difficult weather, the phone and internet has been spotty, and far worse than normal. It’s made it incredibly difficult to have conversations and keep all of the discussions going that are the true core diet for our progress. We strive to clarify a myriad of details, which takes far longer without easy communication. At least we are able to stay on top of the monthly record-keeping, and are still blessed (since 2004) by our retired-banker-turned-bookkeeper, Alan, in Harare, who keeps us on track, with no stone unturned.
The current economy has been evolving, seeming to return to the hyperinflation days when the bond note (the local currency) is worth pennies. Currently, 10,000 Zim bond is worth just under $28 USD. It means that if you have USD you can maneuver a little bit, but the reality of all commodities increasing in price daily, means that one can’t get an edge, translating to the average person living at the mercy of nature and the economy, and getting smacked hard between the two…the proverbial rock and hard spot.
YOUTH WELL BEING
The Nhimbe preschool maintains steady operations and we see some extremely happy children. The parents are so grateful! Besides being the best prep in the area for going to 1st grade, the children also are receiving potentially their best meal of the day at our school! Many families are really struggling with the basics. We are counseled by the world’s spiritual leaders to feed the poor, and that is exactly what we have been able to do, with the focus on the early childhood development years. Thank you so much for the ongoing backing of the preschool!
Our Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) maturing girls’ program is doing really great as well, and continues to expand. The local school has been sending the teens to our MMC program as a requirement for staying in school, and our director has been reaching out to the young girls living outside the Nhimbe bounds as well. This year we have distributed 360 start-up kits to new girls and are providing weekly services to far more. Here is a quick, although small group clip of a few MMC girls dancing to the marimbas in the background…all ages are invited to attend to prepare for becoming a young adult woman.
This program is such a crucial way to support both the local families, and most especially the girls in their budding personalities and visions for their life. Thank you all for however you have been assisting in this area!
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST
We have been very blessed by volunteers over the years, and the musicians are key players on that stage! Hundreds of years of musicianship and a couple thousand hours of devotion each year makes a fantastic contribution. Even in the heat, they step up and spread joy, and it’s always an amazing journey of learning and comradery coupled with mastering what they set out to do!
You should also know about four other volunteers that keep making an enormous difference in our ability to do this work!
- The online tech-support we receive from a retired Cincinnati judge has made me feel human again. Someone that actually knows what they are doing and can handle the persisting barrage of emails about the latest updates, makes me feel younger just thinking about it. Granted, I wrote the very first website in the 90’s and so tended to think I should stay committed…and there have been others along the way, who have helped us make leaps forward with our website, but knowing that in a quick moment someone can make sense of the weirdness that comes with the online world, is such a relief! Thank you, Guy!
- Over the years we have had superb attention given to keeping our financial records clean and crisp. A few months ago, an extraordinary business-minded bookkeeper has come in to join our board and help us out, not just with the books, but invaluable advice about ins-and-outs. We are super excited to have her expertise (check out more about her here). She won’t be taking a tax-season hiatus and so you should always expect a fairly rapid response with your receipts for donations. We still go to the post office box on Wednesdays … do let me know if 2 weeks has gone by without us reaching out to confirm. The exception to this is if you are on a monthly auto contribution, normally we will send your receipt at the end of the year. Thank you, Heidi!
- Our final volunteers to acknowledge are the other two unseen people behind the scenes that help handle the funds as they come in and go out. Funds from classes and in the mail go through a standard incoming and deposit routine without fail. We all are extremely grateful for that! Thank you, M’er!
- And, the check writer, another unknown from the back office in Albany (which doubles as her quilting studio) keeps our bills paid and has been in the driver’s seat since before 2018. She takes just one more ball out of my ever-lovin’ hands and I can’t thank her enough…Hats off to you, Elle
FUTURE BLOGS?
Yes, I will be writing you before the end of the year! I just realized that four months have gone by, and hope you know that you’ve been on my mind. Sounds like a good song title! I have a sweet plan for a little series of updates about all of our Nhimbe projects. There are just too many good photos and too much to say to catch you up quickly. So, please watch for the next installment, coming to a screen near you!
Many smiles, many blessings, with much Large Love from Lacomb! Jaiaen
Preschool Graduates for Nhimbe 2021
Hoping you and yours are having a wonderful holiday season!
If you haven’t checked out the last email from us, please do so now as it links you to all of the annual letter information! Fully deductible donations can be made for 2021. Thank you to those who are reaching out during this busy time of year. You do make the difference!
Nhimbe for Progress Preschool is going into its 20th year and has been profoundly successful over the course of many challenges. This year we found 37 preschoolers graduated, which is up from an average of 25, due to the convoluted school years since the beginning of Covid-19. Many stops and starts have these children now ready to move on, ready for grade 1 at the schools nearby their homes.
Boys and girls, by themselves, or with mother, or father, sharing in this big day!
We serve many surrounding villages beyond the core six that are primary to Nhimbe. Any child who can get to our facilities is allowed to attend. This may mean that the parents walk the child to and from school each morning and afternoon. We are very grateful to be able to assist the entire population in the area with these services…and all because of your support!
The children always share what they are learning!
Here the child has a speech to give.
After introducing themselves, these three have a little dancing and singing routine to offer.
This next video feels very connected to the metaphoric nature of the culture and their language…Very creative story line about someone who has been mugged, and the good Samaritan who helps them get care. The Shona children are always giving plays.
Another two children, each with demonstrated ability to share in public…very sweet.
Fortunate Takaendesa has been at our school for many years. She leads the children in much singing and dancing and does a great job. Here she leads the children in reciting. This video also gives an idea of the attendance, with parents on the ground, and the visiting official guests under the tent. There was much competition this year for attendance, due to farming inputs being unexpectedly distributed by the government at the same time.
Isaac Maodzeka is our Building and Security manager. Although he doesn’t work within the preschool program, he is always around supporting all activities. You can see the new library and marimba huts being built in some picture backgrounds and it is his job to oversee that, as well as all well building. He is here on behalf of the team, cheering them all on!
Febby Shava has been with us for 20 years as the head of the Nhimbe preschool. Last year she also joined the ranks as the co-director of Nhimbe for Progress, handling all of the children and parent communication and support. She is doing a great job! Here she is encouraging the parents and emphasizing the foundational importance of early childhood development. If you listen closely, you will hear her say “ECD” more than once.
Hope you have enjoyed the Nhimbe Preschool graduation story for 2021. This year, it has taken much more effort for them to send videos and pictures. There has been a combination of increased network difficulties due to the cyclone damage, continuing family business since Cosmas’ passing, as well as the normal challenges of working in rural Zimbabwe. For anyone who has been camping, you get the idea of what daily life entails. Rough, but doable ;*))
Thank you again for your ongoing support! Please click here to go to the website for immediate gratification! We are doing our best to support them through some of the most intense times in their history. Its because of you that we are able to do that! Tatenda Chaizvo from all of those involved!
We Need Your Help Now!
We are making lemonade out of the lemons!
As you know our Nhimbe preschool yard was consumed by a run-away fire across the bush at the beginning of July. Not only did the aged wooden play structures burn, but the Magaya homestead of Joshua and Matilda also suffered. In both instances, gratefully the fire was put out before any buildings were ruined.
Our preschool has just reconvened after a June-to-August Covid lock-down, so now we have children back to the daily routine as of the beginning of September. We continue to offer a partial stipend to help our staff deal with being laid-off periodically since March of 2020.
Sadly the charred ground can’t be used by the children but will be great for garden expansion.
In the midst of this, we have some really excellent news about a new playground area. Chief Nherera has awarded us an adjacent plot of land for our long-term educational purposes, that doubles the Nhimbe Community Center grounds. This can include future expansion for self-sustainability business activities, as well as additional learning opportunities.
On the opposite side of the Nhimbe Community Center, a humanitarian organization from Taiwan, Tzu Chi, bought their stand for $5,000 not all that long ago. This Buddhist organization wants to build an agricultural training center to house 23 huts, and is like us in that they are not bringing a focus of religion, but have the underlying goal to bring relief from suffering.
We have graciously been blessed by the Chief because of our history of devoted service since 2000. To be granted this stand (plot of land) for no fee is absolutely incredible! The Chief has been in ill health, and although he is now improving, he is elderly and we are fortunate to have his favor.
Playing wheelbarrow is a popular activity that helps to learn enormous coordination.
What we do face are fencing costs plus new playground equipment, which are both outside of any budget projected for 2021, as any fire like this is quite unexpected. After Muda researched competitive bids and skillfully negotiated labor costs over this last month, we now know that the fence fully installed is $6,000, and the poles and materials for the playground repairs and installation is comparatively a mere $400.
The new fence will match the existing fence in size, being two meters tall. We have chosen to not add the barbed-wire for the additional two feet on top, since at this point we foresee theft being a non-issue. If we ever add buildings to this just-over one-acre parcel, then we would want to consider the added barbed barrier to deter unwanted entry. The existing Nhimbe gate will provide passage for the children to the play area. There will be an additional gate installed for public access.
Lined-up so nicely to get in the front gate.
The replacement materials list is simple and includes colorful paints, nails, cement, poles, 8 tires, swing bars and chains, a climbing frame and monkey bars (metal this time). This will all be installed in the new area along with whatever is salvageable from the original playground.
Taking the temperatures with our infrared thermometer.
Please consider donating to help us solve this dilemma! Particularly with Covid-19 and the serious curtailing of normal life, the more the children can be outside for their normal activities as well as other “classroom” time, the better off everyone will be. This new space will certainly give them that!
This chigubhu, pumps the water with a foot pedal, by tipping the water container, sanitizing hands at the start of the day.
By going to the Donate or Shop item on the menu, find Preschool – Use for the Greatest Need under the EDUCATION section. Any amount you are able to contribute towards this $6,400 goal is greatly appreciated by everyone involved. The parents in Mhondoro, the staff, as well as all of us here who hold these Nhimbe preschoolers with arms of Large Love, thank you in advance for whatever you can do!
Hopefully more updates to come soon!
Cyclone Eloise Brings Big Damage to Nhimbe
Long story short: In late January this year, Cyclone Eloise, breaking loose in Mozambique and all over Southern African, stimulated a ripple of storms bringing torrential rains to Mhondoro destroying and damaging crops, structures, and wells on its path, while the Covid-19-variants lock-down left repairs at a standstill.
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Being quite paralyzed by the combined onslaught, our Team has just now completed the first round of repairs requiring thousands of dollars. Nhimbe Preschool is returning to business as usual with masks etc. following the government guidelines, opening for school this last week. MMC also kicked off the 2021 year with much joy, just a little later than usual. Under their masks, the teachers and cooks engaged all ages of children with much enthusiasm after the 3-month hiatus. Everyone is so relieved!
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These unexpected events have put a large dent in this year’s budget. If you are able, please extend a hand to our residents and the Nhimbe Community Center! CLICK HERE for the webpage donate page…THANK YOU!
The lock-down for the Covid-19 variants was strictly enforced by police, traveling only allowed with special papers. These restrictions made for minimal progress. Also, the storms had done incredible damage to the network, so that phones, emails and texting were severely crippled and are not yet back to “normal”, which in Zimbabwe, is historically under par. The minimum required building restorations were done just in time for the preschool reopening date last week:
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kitchen corner wall
- Several Nhimbe Community Center huts cracked from the excessive water and have been repaired successfully.
- One hut was non-repairablewith deep cracks and breaks, and is still needing to be entirely rebuilt, which will run near $500.
- Our library window was broken by the winds and has now been replaced.
See the Two toilets collapsed at Nhimbe Community Center.
Then the Health Inspector “pegged” the new toilet locations. For those of you who remember hearing about Standreck (Tichaona), one of the best dancers I’ve ever known, he is there looking on in the video (and looking great!)
In this video, check out the interior walls, and then the shot of the roof shows light coming in, meaning water does too. This building gives different ages spaces to learn. Also the precious marimbas are stored here.
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The multi-purpose room here also has damage.
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The grass had grown so high from the continual rains and warm weather that a special effort was needed to hand-sickle the entire grounds. Check out the before and after pictures.
GRASS BEFORE
12 wells collapsed and are being rebuilt. Normally we would wait for donations to build wells each year, but this was an emergency and so took it on without the specially allocated funding – we are hoping for your help:
- Many wells were built for the elderly residents who are living solo, and without the means to rebuild a well, or transport water.
- I recall during our 2018 trip, there were 3 people over 100 years old, who passed away during our stay! If they live close to the land and stay in the rural area, chances are they will live long and healthy lives.
- Bringing comfort, hygiene, and reassurance to these residents is just “so basic”.
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More gum pole failures. Most of the play structures have become weakened and unsafe. The parents are pitching in their time to rebuild this play area!
We have realized the new team really needs our well-building supervisor duties to expand, to receive a monthly compensation to cover all building and security. This will support our Co-Directors as they both live offsite, with Muda routinely visiting from Harare, and Febbie teaching Monday to Friday, but not being present otherwise, unless needed, living in Chibikira. The guards can now report to Isaac Maodzeka, as do all building crews. Isaac has been with us since the beginning. He is happy to be reinstated to his original post, which he had prior to the 2008-09 marketing collapse that was coupled with impact of the Zim-dollarization.
We have transferred an unusually large amount of funds for the beginning of the year (a near $9,000 since January) and truly appreciate anything you are able to contribute to the healing of this community. Besides the crops, each family suffered damages to their personal residence. Rather than just more normal requests for new preschool baking pans, garden shovels, and the like, the Cyclone impact to our Community Center has been sizeable, doing more harm than we had seen since my first trip in 2000.
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Between the time Cosmas and I made our proverbial “to-do laundry list” in November ’99, and my first trip early March 2000, Cyclone Eline destroyed huts and ravaged many homesteads. We were able to re-establish huts for over 40 residences during that next year or two. These efforts shaped a foundation for this Nhimbe for Progress framework. The last 20 years have seen much in the way of “action”, but nothing with quite this much damage from storms, since that February 2000 cyclone.
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Thank you for your continued support over the years for these neighbors of ours on the opposite side of the planet. As a people, they have much endurance and resilience. You teach them about hope and re-imagining their lives. They already are a highly spiritual people, but your continued assistance helps encourage and cement that “trusting of the process”…we all can use reinforcement on that!
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You do make the difference! Always feel free to reach out and ask questions or just chime in with your ideas!
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Preschool Graduation and Soap Distribution Day!
Graduation day for the Nhimbe for Progress Preschool and our resident’s soap/mask distribution were brought together on December 17th. Both went on quiet well. Muda, our new co-director, shares the following story:
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“We were graced by the local councilor and health workers. You will notice from the photos some did not even have masks and they had to cover their mouths with their shirt or hat when receiving the masks. We want you to get the true picture on the ground. Covid-19 education is a continual effort.
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A total of 253 bars of soap and 253 masks were distributed. Febbie has been getting calls from those that were absent and she will be setting a day soon to distribute more. The councilor was very grateful to Nhimbe for the kind gesture and he will be donating some masks also to the preschool when schools open January 4 2021.
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There was great team work on the day from Nhimbe staff. Febbie had everything set up nicely and the attendance by parents was great. For example, Kenny, the Marimba teacher, was busy the day ferrying soap for distribution. Compensation payments were also given on that day, and the staff are very happy and express their profound gratitude.“
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The Nhimbe preschool graduated 25 pupils to go to first grade in the surrounding six village community schools, starting up January 4th, 2021. With only five months of schooling under their belts, their demonstrated knowledge speaks to the way that education works well, having all ages of children in one schoolhouse.
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Let me share the graduation photos and videos, followed by the Covid-19 intervention pics.
Men to the left, women on the right, in a traditional fashion, here to attend the graduation of 25 little ones. Check out that incredible cistern and windmill…thanks to your continued support!
The graduates are waiting patiently as the ceremony begins.
Finally…their turn to do presentations and receive certificates!
Presenting: Color Identification – in English!
Presenting: Counting to Ten – in English!
Strength in Numbers?
Presenting: Body Part Song in Shona!
Muda, the new Co-Director, presents the certificate to the child and mother, as Febby, the other Co-Director and also head of the preschool, looks on. Fortunate, a preschool teacher with us for several years, is in the background on the left.
Our graduation certificates have a real shiny gold seal!
This is a big event for the villages dressing in their go-to-meeting clothes. Most every child had at least one parent in attendance, and sometimes, like here, most of the family. This little lad looks ready!
Besides the certificate, each child receives pencils, and a school writing book, plus a special gift of either a small towel, Vaseline, tooth brush, tooth paste or bag of maphuti (popped corn).
Graduating Class of 2020!
Covid-19 Intervention Continues as a 2021 Focus
The Nhimbe Team was prepared with 400 hand-sewn masks and 400 bars of soap to be distributed to all villagers who showed up. Mid-May we similarly gave these resources, and many people didn’t understand the purpose.
This line goes as far as the eye can see. Doing their best to stand at a socially distant space, many people still did not have masks, and used scarves or shirts for face covering.
Some soapy water is a prerequisite for entry into the Community Center. Hey – check out that water tank and windmill ;*))
I just love how this picture is just overloaded with soap! You know, if you are short of cash for food or school fees for children, you might not buy or use soap in the way we are accustomed. That is why this is quite a gift!
Here is the system. After lining up and washing up, they come by each of the two tables to receive one mask and one long bar of soap (about 14″ long). We expect this to last for 2 months, when we will again distribute.
Here is someone who did not have a mask but needed to use a scarf. He is now setup!
This ambuya (grandmother) is very grateful. Her children and grandchildren have also been sponsored for school tuition over the years. Another happy camper!
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Many thanks to you for your continued support of our work in Zimbabwe. If you haven’t seen our year end report click HERE. If you haven’t seen our exquisite masks for sale, click HERE! The end of 2020 is raising a flag of hope and endurance, even after the year’s difficulties. Blessings your way…and much gratitude!