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!