9TH -12TH NOVEMBER 2020
On the 09th of November, Gari Masuka, Jordan McDevitt and Stewart Tavengwa travelled to our eight Transformational Centers (TCs) in Hwange and Binga area which are under Assemblies of God Church. The Centers are Manjolo, Siyachilaba, Tinde, Lupote, Lusulu, Lubimbi, Gwayi and Nekabadama. These Centers provide a family to children from hard places in the communities of Hwange and Binga through the provision of a safe environment for the children. I am glad to report that children enjoy spending their time in these Transformational Centers.
The main agenda of our trip was to do a project health check on the centers above. On the 10th we visited four TCs which were Manjolo, Siyachilaba, Tinde and Nekabadama. We got to meet and fellowship with children, frontline caregivers and pastors.
When we arrived at Manjolo we were welcomed by children, Pastor John and his team of four care givers who are Laiza Dube, Clemensiah Dube, Jane Mwinde and Sophia Mwembe. Present when we arrived were 53 children out of the 85 children that the center looks after. Pastor John mentioned how the global pandemic (Covid 19) has affected their operations. After meeting with their team, we also got testimonies from children.
SIYACHILABA TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
10 NOV 2020
After visiting Manjolo, we then visited Siyachilaba TC. There we were welcomed by the children, Pastor Albert Mudenda and his team of caregivers who are Miclos Munkuli, Mishesk Sibelo. Also present at the Center when we arrived was Ado Muzamba (in peach shirt). Ado was one of the trainees who graduated from an apprenticeship in Agriculture at Habitation of Hope. He is not only implementing what he learnt at Habitation but he is also training others in their community. Since he graduated he has been producing many farm produces that include cabbages, tomatoes to mention a few and selling them. He is making a livelihood from the training that he received.
TINDE TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
10 NOV 2020
Tinde TC was the next stop after the visit at Siyachilaba. When we got there we met the children while they were having their meal. Pastor Ephas Munkuli and his team of caregivers were also present. The Center has been molding the children’s character and behavior through their bible teachings delivered in so many interesting ways. Seated (on the upper right pic) from the right is Esteri Musamba, Gladys Mulaya, Maggie Moonga, Pastor Ephas Munkuli, Maina N’ombe, Adonetor Kulabala. And standing from the right hand side is Lucia Muleya, Madalana Sai, Gladys Muleya Musende, Patricia Tshuma, Saffie Ndlovu and Midia Sibanda. These women do a great job of caring for these children that come from different hard places in their community.
NEKABADAMA TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
10 NOV 2020
Our last Center of the day on the 10th of November was Nekabadama. The Center is about 25kilometers east of Hwange town. It is administered by pastor Misheck and his wife Doreen Sibanda. We found 64 children present at the Center when we arrived and their front line care givers who are Eletina Sibanda, Sekwani Sibelo, Josephine Nyoni and Doreen Sibanda. The children at this Center also shared with us their life stories.
LUSULU TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
11 NOV 2020
On the 11th we headed out for the other Centers starting with Lusulu. This Center is also a safe haven to so many vulnerable children in the community of Lusulu whereby 59 children come and spend their time and are ministered unto. They get protected from bad influences therefore protecting them from activities like substance abuse, street fighting to mention only a few.
LUBIMBI TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
11 NOV 2020
Our 6th Center was Lubimbi, this Center has children who are gifted in the music ministry. After arriving we got to sing and dance to some awesome Tonga songs and some of the children were playing drums and tambourines. We were welcomed by Pastor Aaron Munsaka and his team of front line care givers. From the right hand side (lower right picture) is Sinikiwe Munkuli, Sarai Tshuma, Aaron Munsaka and Celina Ngwenya. Two of the kids gave us their stories.
Gwayi is a Center being administered by Pastor Agnes Munengi and her team of caregivers. Present when we arrived was Bridget Mpofu, Patricia Ngwenya, Margret Ncube and Esther Munengi. Also present at the Center was Andile (in peach dress in front), one of the young leaders who attended camp Allelu at Assemblies of God Bible College in Hwange. Andile was also one of the pioneering girls who trained and graduated with Simira Sewing Skills in Harare. She is doing a great job in implementing her sewing skills. She is also leading and teaching the children at Gwayi Center the word of God.
LUPOTE TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER
11 NOV 2020
Our last visit was Lupote TC. The Center is located about 60kilometers from Hwange town along the Bulawayo Victoria Falls road. The Centre has a wide range of activities with many projects being done to improve the standards of living for many children who have come to the point of taking the Centre as their alternative home. We were also welcomed by the children, the pastor and his wife. The pastor expressed his gratitude on what the Center has been doing in the lives of children. He also thanked Hands of Hope for the provision of food stuffs and support.
Compiled by Stewart Tavengwa