Expanding Our Mission to Zimbabwe
Mission / Outreach has been busy establishing a plan for a continuing effort to aid a village in Zimbabwe. Nikki Makarutsa,who has returned from a second visit to connect with her family there, has prompted us to consider a mission to help a school in her home village of Zvishabane. This is the same school to which we sent soccer balls last summer.

On January 8, Nikki presented a descrip-tion of Zimbabwe, her village, and the deterioration of the school buildings, lack of teachers, and lack of supplies she dis-covered on her last visit in December. Eleven years ago, schools were function-ing and successful—but since that time, the government has allowed the education system to fall apart, and many teachers, so poorly paid, have left. Nikki showed pic-tures of the school, the children, and the dilapidated buildings. Mission/Outreach has decided to help repair one building, used by the preschoolers there, and perhaps donate some more sup-plies. It seems that this building could be repaired for about $3000.00. Nikki is returning to Zimbabwe in the fall, and has put out a call for any who would like to help with the school. She could take a few motivated people with her. She is setting up connections for construction supplies and workers. If we could help with providing a “bore hole” the school would have a source of clean water—this costs about $2000.00.

Nikki Makarutsa presents on Zimbabwe and her home village on January 8, 2012.

Nikki Makarutsa presents on Zimbabwe and her home village on January 8, 2012.

We have also begun locating resources through the New Hampshire Conference of the UCC, which can help getting items to Zimbabwe. There are many other mission efforts to Zimbabwe which can assist us.

Mission /Outreach invites all in the church to watch for ways to contribute to these efforts. Because Nikki has an uncle right there, anything we do can be tracked, and photos can be taken and sent to us. This could be an exciting opportunity for our church to make a real difference in the lives of a village in Africa where we con-nect with the people. Please check the bulletin board, and the Parish News to follow events. Or talk to any-one on Mission Outreach Committee.