Youth Well Being – Ancient Ways

Cyclone Eloise Brings Big Damage to Nhimbe

March 28, 2021

by ancient-ways.org Project Updates Uncategorized Youth Well Being

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.

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!

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!

***Practicing Social Distancing and Masks - MMC Begins for 2021!***

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:

- kitchen corner wall
- another outside hut wall
- hut door
- another kitchen wall
- another outside hut wall
- inside annex 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!)

***The Community Center Annex has holes in the roof due to the thatch blowing off.***

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.

The multi-purpose room here also has damage.

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
OVERGROWN GRASS BEFORE
OVERGROWN PLAY AREA BEFORE
HAND-SICKLED PLAY AREA AFTER
HAND-SICKLED KITCHEN AREA AFTER

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”.

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.

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.

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!

You do make the difference! Always feel free to reach out and ask questions or just chime in with your ideas!

CLICK HERE to go to the website. Tatenda Chaizvo!

Preschool Graduation and Soap Distribution Day!

December 28, 2020

by ancient-ways.org Covid Health Uncategorized Youth Well Being

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:

"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.

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.

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."

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.

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!

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!

MMC Girls December Meeting Successes!

December 16, 2020

by ancient-ways.org Health Youth Well Being

NEW FOR 2020, **THE MMC GIRLS ARE LEARNING MASK MAKING!**
THEY ARE **WORKING OUT OF THE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM.**

Here is some video to be able to peek into the world of our MMC program (Mhandara Monthly Care), which focuses on the maturing girl.

This gathering was a normal Friday afternoon meeting, but was highlighted with the addition of MMC Start-up Kits for the new girls. They spent the afternoon together enjoying music, sewing, marimba, and always gentle instruction.

MMC Congratulations Singing "Makorokoto"

We have over 80 girls in total just within Nhimbe, and 45 or so received their first kits (bucket, soap, underwear, a new purse sewing kit, and reusable washable supplies). If enough donations come in, we will be able to reach out to the neighboring communities, as we have done in the past (just without the 3-day camping).

MMC Sewing Masks

These girls are following the same mask pattern we sent by Whatsapp in April for the women to make for village distribution (very similar to the pleated ones our volunteers have made available here on our website as a fundraiser). The girls are making themselves and their family members masks. You hear some marimba music outside at the beginning because they are taking lessons as well.

Marimba Lessons "Chemutangure"

The marimbas are sounding wonderful! The girls didn't get to play for months during the hiatus and are now back to it. Many thanks to Kutsinhira ZCDP grant that made this marimba set available to Humwe, our sister organization here in the villages. And, of course, thanks to you, our donors, for sponsoring the teacher, Kenny, who comes to offer lessons!

Offering a speech to your peers and the community is part of growing up in Zimbabwe. This girl speaks to the empowerment of learning.

"A good day to you all! My name is Tariro Rukodzi. I want to tell you about Education. Education! Education! Education is the key to success. Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world. Without education, life is tough, like chewing roasted maize without any teeth. With me, I have education...we stand without compromising. With education, life is like cutting margarine with a hot knife. Education is the vaccine for violence. Thank you!"

WE can't thank you enough for your tremendous and continuing support! This year has been difficult for all of us, and it is no different for them in the rural area, except maybe less media to tell them what is going on and less water and soap to use for cleaning, but all balanced by a very strong resilient nature.

Your contributions now help us know how we are able to support them in this work during this next year. Please check out our annual letter from the director, the letter from our Board President and go to the shop to see how you might reach out.

Tatenda Chaizvo!

Mhondoro Update and New 3-D Masks!

November 13, 2020

by ancient-ways.org Covid Fundraisers Health Project Updates Youth Well Being

The new 3-D mask has been extremely well received, with a sense of more air available (less confining), better facial fit around the edges with a nice nose piece, beautiful craftsmanship, as well as a lovely array of designs woven into high-quality cloth. Newly donated and purchased fabrics have found their way to the volunteers to wash, and then sew, sew, sew. They are available very soon in many fresh African patterns and colors! Same unbelievable deal ... these masks, all yours on a donation basis, help us to raise awareness, funds to continue work in Mhondoro, and help you stay safe too! Thank you!

We remain working in Zimbabwe…detailed updates are forthcoming, but for now, the quick report:

Our Nhimbe for Progress Team is fully in place, engaged, and brain-cracking to pull together the nuts, bolts, and washers from 20 years of experience in just over one month. You may remember that Patricia left Nhimbe to follow her soul’s calling at the beginning of October. Now, our renovated, renewed and revamped Nhimbe ship has left the harbor with an incredible new team, and we are underway!
School has reopened in Zimbabwe, and our MMC program officially started on 11/6 with almost half the girls in attendance, after a 7-month hiatus. Again, we will be teaching about their bodies, providing supplies, but this time also learning about Covid-19.
On 11/9 the Nhimbe for Progress preschool reopened its doors with similar numbers of about half the norm in attendance, also learning about masks and social distancing. We are encouraging a healthy discussion with the Ministry’s health inspector, because World Health Organization protocol does not require those under 5 years-old to wear masks, but our staff was trying to implement stringent requirements, as they are for MMC. Guidelines are unclear in the country, and our staff is doing everything they can for safety, including using two new infrared thermometers as part of our protocols, as well as giving all children masks. We hope to get this sorted in the next few days.
After completing well deepenings for 43 families so far this year, the outcry is for more help! We just approved a budget for another 29 or so wells, to be deepened before the end of the year. Today we bought over $1,000 of cement, 14,000 bricks, and hired those with the shovels to help all of the families, since the depth is far beyond anything seen before. The rain is slowly coming, so that is letting them get digging. Water levels have plummeted particularly in the last 2 years, so water availability has become the most pressing issue of the day.

Thank you for your dedicated support! We continue to operate the preschool per our normal high standards, as well as MMC with the addition of teaching mask-making for their current craft project. We also are pushing hard and fast to get the wells deepened now, before the impending summer rains fall. The 7 elderly without water have become the priority. This is the immediate focus with the other 22 or so to follow.

We remain grateful and optimistic as you reach out, and continue to remember us! We all very much appreciate whatever you have been able to do, either financially to assist, or with your time. There are 3 essential areas needing volunteers - please email Jaiaen:

We have a real need for technical website and higher-end computer assistance, either on a one-time project basis or for the longer term. There are some exciting opportunities here. Do get in touch!
Also, someone who can offer general office expertise using the computer and Microsoft would also help return some sanity to the nature of reality, since many extra functions have multiplied, much like rabbits, particularly over the last several months, with the loss of Cosmas, as well as the introduction of Covid-19.
Locally in the mid-valley, we really would love for someone to oversee the masks, which are being sewn by a couple of lovely ladies, as they find their way into your home (the masks, not the seamstresses) ;*))

You do make the difference! Tatenda Chaizvo!

Diki Diki (little) Message from Zimbabwe!

December 1, 2019

by ancient-ways.org Project Updates Youth Well Being

Morning Greetings from the ground here…days are moving fast….we wake up in the morning to this!

A few of the girls had learned during our Youth Well Being marimba programs we had for years. Now we are working with the MMC so many new girls are coming in. This is their first lesson!

Click on the PLAY button on the video below to play the video of the girls playing marimba.

Embroidery continues … helping them with some close up readers makes it easier. We have several lenses in inventory. The women are so grateful! The Dollar Store cashier in Lebanon always wonders what we are doing!

We held the Health Forums to share general hygiene, nutrition, and lifestyle ideas. The attendance was lower than normal since this is spring time so as farmers without oxen their planting is labor intensive.

Those who attended loved the discussions. The highlight is always the Glogerm, which is a fluorescent powder simulating germs on handshaking. They go under the black cloth with the fluorescent flashlight to see how germs are passed, and how well they wash. Then they wash again with soap and check again!

Whitney shared all about cleaning water with Moringa seeds that is very dirty after storms. The bottle of dirty water can be cleared up with crushed Moringa seeds! It still needs solar disinfection afterwards.

Whitney and Standreck’s experiements are coming along. This one is Whitney’s egg crate. They have been breaking ground, direct seeding and doing starts to see how things work here, Whitney at our homestead and Standreck at his mom’s.

Thanksgiving Day preparations gave us a wonderful chicken and full complement of an Afro-American meal to celebrate.

They grow them big here!

Well testing continues! In general, the residents need to have well treatments and take more precautions on letting pathogens into their wells. More on this in the next Field Report.

The money situation here is challenging. The exchange at the bank has increased by 1 Zim bond since we got here 2 weeks ago. In the Villages we thought it had increased to 15:1 but in town a store told us it was 20:1...no wonder Zimbabwe is said to have the highest inflation rate in the world now.This pile of money is just under $500 USD to offer stipends to the volunteers for the work that keeps Nhimbe going. It’s not a living wage by any means. Cosmas can’t do anything but try to keep a sense of humor about it!

Good night from our front door to yours!

We Are Accomplishing So Much!

May 28, 2019

by ancient-ways.org Project Updates Youth Well Being

Greetings from rural Zimbabwe... by this salutation I'm not suggesting we are on the ground there with "the children of the soil", but we have some great reports to share from them!

Thank you for your continued support of our vision and mission for 2019. Your partnership is a key ingredient and we can't do it without you!

We hope that you feel our team's efforts to uplift everyone! The obvious recipients are the youth, but the parents and families in the community are deeply touched by our outreach. They are so grateful to be collaborating with us in this effort, as the children are an extremely vulnerable population. Maturing girls are at a tender age and many do not have mothers, or aunties, or grandmothers, so our Mhandara program becomes like a member of the family.

Nhimbe is honored to have 15 regulars and 11 volunteers who keep the wheels of progress moving for all of our programs there. The focus over the Memorial Day weekend was the Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) program where 230 girls gathered at the Nhimbe Community Center located in rural Mhondoro. This included girls from a near dozen schools.

Thanks to smartphones and Whatsapp we can learn how things are going along from the village perspective...and quite quickly! Please take the time to relax and enjoy the videos over a cup of your favorite beverage!

How do you corral and care for 230 girls? Structure and fun. The various parts of the MMC Teen Care Camp (ideally happening 3 times a year) keep the girls stimulated and focused. This is our first 2019 camp so far this year, as we enter the second term in the education system there. All ages are welcome, but the very youngest normally belong to one of the staff.

***The beginning of the hike into the bush***

The days are packed with activities:

Of course, there is always music!
A specially chosen elder is brought in to share women's wisdom with the girls.
They spend time in food prep, cooking and cleaning, as well as take a few minutes for exercise as a formal game of netball or stretching.
They have an opportunity to go for a walk in the bush, which wouldn't be safe for a girl to wander by herself. This is incredible to be able to indulge in the nature of their home area - just like us going for a walk in the mountains here in the Pacific coast.

Knowing very little Shona I can only make out that they sing about Girl Guides (our sister organization to Girl Scouts), shamwari (friends) and mwoyo or moyo (heart).

We began a partnership with Girl Guides in Harare around 2006. They gave us great structure to get the programs off the ground. Of course we have embellished and enhanced the program to meet our needs, specifically focusing on MMC, which is so basic and paramount.

That same year we printed up t-shirts which you see are still holding up. They use them while at the Center and then they get washed and returned. That was quite an undertaking...I remember buying bolts of t-shirt fabric in various colors and organizing with a printer, all during hyperinflation when you never knew what the next day would bring. I'm amazed that the t-s are still functional and colorful.

**Back to the Nhimbe Community Center!**

Great fun with the older children teaching the dance lesson!

Even the very youngest are encouraged to whole-heartedly bring themselves to the music as leaders!

Drumming up some fun while waiting for a meal. Many girls are in the kitchen!

Fortunate is one of our leaders for the girls as well as a preschool teacher. She has several of her own children, and has been with us for many years. Very dedicated, always enthusiastic and an incredible singer!

**Many girls do not normally eat this well at their homes due to poverty.**

**Some stretches as part of learning about their bodies and exercise.**

We are very blessed to have this retired teacher take an interest in our program! Although you can't hear anything of what is being said, you can see that she is a good teacher and very interested in these girls! She gave a lot and ask for nothing.

Story telling and metaphors are a huge part of Shona culture. This song is all about being completely frank about their bodies and explaining to the boy's and men's advances just exactly where not to touch them.
The bottom line is telling them "don't touch here, here and here" quite literally!

This is a song about power. Note the girl's with their buckets. These buckets come as part of the start-up kits although I see they make a good drum also! At the camp, thirty girls just received the bucket, soap, 3 pair underwear and their re-usable washable supplies (made by our team!) along with a sewing kit to learn to make a small purse, making our efforts potentially far more sustainable.

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks to your donations we are moving and shaking, and these maturing girls are blessed by your help.

Always feel free to write or call with questions, answers, and encouragement. If you have any ideas on how we can source further financial backing to let us reach more girls, we know what we are doing and we do it well. And, there is so much need.

Tatenda Chaizvo!

May Announcements – Here and in Zimbabwe!

May 10, 2019

by ancient-ways.org Fundraisers Project Updates Youth Well Being

Thank you for your incredible support again this year as we remain focused on our work in rural Zimbabwe. Second term brings much activity:

The preschool re-opens with purchases of supplies and food for another 13 weeks, There are 59 little ones, with more coming each day, all being fed a nutritious meal (often their main meal). These children are being supported in early childhood development as well as being prepared for 1st grade in the Zimbabwean educational system. The preschool staff includes teachers, cooks, housekeeping, grounds-keeping and guards to assure the children's space provides a safe, clean and nurturing learning environment. The government officials consider Nhimbe a model preschool!
The Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) program continues to manufacture and distribute start-up kits in 2019 for all the new maturing girls. Each kit's cost of buckets and underwear has increased since our estimate last fall when we wrote the year-end letter. We never know when the economy will be stable and when not, but we hold the vision and keep making headway! We have just produced 30 kits for our first 2 batches, which will be distributed very soon at the upcoming Teen Care Camp.
The MMC Teen Care Camp is planned for May 24th-26th. 260 girls are expected and arriving on foot from quite some distances. We provide a vehicle to pickup their bed roll and other gear at their various schools, where they all congregate before leaving. Arriving Friday, they are able to stay at the Nhimbe Community Center (with those great solar lights!) until Sunday, when they hoof it back home after the incredibly unprecedented opportunity for learning, healing and growing. There are a minimum of 11 adults that are present to keep everything moving smoothly. The girls are involved in every step of food prep and cleanup, as well as participating in many activities, including music, mentoring by the elders, and much in the way of interpersonal discussions of intimate teen care.
The MMC program (the Start-up kits, the Teen Care Camp and weekly meetings) are helping to keep these girls in school each month, and making a huge difference in their lives. For example, they learn about personal hygiene and the difficult subjects of dealing with boys and peers. The girls learn crafts, such as sewing, to be able to make their own monthly care supplies someday.
Both the preschool and the MMC program need soccer balls! We hold strong in the belief that the Right to Play is of enormous value in children's "normal" development, physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. Research has found that play is the key to children surviving the hardships of chronic economic issues and the displacement and relocation of continual transient populations. Please consider a special donation towards this unique need. Typically because of the rough terrain a normal ball doesn't last, but we have had help locating one for $25. Shipping is another issue, particularly if we can send more than one. With this number of children playing together, one ball would not suffice. Thank you in advance if you have an interest in encouraging play!
Thank you for any ways you might be able to help us with these heartening and supportive efforts, as we intervene in these children's lives. We remain consistent and faithful to the task at hand and ask for your assistance once again to reach out across the planet to our Zimbabwean neighbors.

Our music ensembles here in the mid-Willamette Valley are playing their part in fund raising, as they hit the streets earlier this year than normal, beginning in March. They are out there raising money for the Nhimbe youth programs and are enjoying watching the summer fill up with play.

Please join us at our next event in Alsea, Oregon, Sunday the 12th, as we make our annual pilgrimage to the Thyme Garden for their Mother's Day weekend. Find us engaged in the music near the herb nursery, where there is a huge selection of plants for sale. We offer the uplifting marimba music from Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as original tunes:

Chipindura plays from 12:30 to 2 pm
Tashinga plays from 3:30 to 5 pm

The Mother's Day venue is particularly delightful with exquisite food and unique crafts for sale at a variety of booths. All of this wonder is set in the ambiance of the woods, where this most interesting source for seeds, herbs and other fine plants finds its home.

Join us with your dancing shoes!

Mhandara Monthly Care Update

January 16, 2019

by ancient-ways.org Fundraisers Health Youth Well Being

Please check out the latest about our Mhandara Monthly Care (MMC) program in this link! (or paste this in your browser https://ancient-ways.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MMC-Request.pdf)

We are asking for your consideration to send this to anyone you know who has a heart for females and the challenges that face them, particularly in Africa.

We have an incredible program with an excellent track record...check out our website. With very little funding we can intercede on behalf many of our MMC maturing girls' lives in 2019!

Please forward...thank you so much!