Zimbabwe Development Aid Project

Mercia & Marches Rotary was a sponsor for Rotarian Sylvia Keris’ in a volunteer Development Aid project trip to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with the charity Mission Direct.

The team's main project work was helping local builders who were starting construction of an additional classroom at Hope Secondary school - which will enable more children from both the rural and township areas of Bulawayo to attend school and receive an education.  Whilst builders made the concrete bricks for building work, the team cleaned down and painted walls of some existing classrooms - ready for the return of the pupils in the new school term that began on 9th September. 

Outreach projects also included helping at 'Baby Heroes', making up care packages for vulnerable young mothers of pre-term babies, & delivering them at Mpilo Hospital.  Some knitters in the UK who support Buddy Bags had made baby clothes and items that were included amongst other items in these care packs.  An Orphanage for very vulnerable children from 0-5 yrs old was visited, where the team helped with interactive activities for the children and donated essential items.  The children also engaged with craft activities & with Sylvia doing storytelling with hand made knitted puppets at 'Care Children's Hospital' where specialised surgery for disabilities & burns are undertaken.  At 'Eagle Learning' children from poorer townships who are unable to access school received a curriculum via tablets with additional support from mentors in secure home group settings.

This was Sylvia's 3rd trip with Mission Direct and she used that experience to help with Support Outreach Organizations in Bulawayo - besides taking some lessons in classrooms of both Hope Primary School and Secondary School.

The Rotary club of Bulawayo, and Rtn AG Lorna Nyoni provided support the team on their first morning in Zimbabwe.  AG Lorna also supplied the team with essential cleaning equipment for Hope School classrooms and came along to view the work at school .

Sylvia would like to thank everyone who kindly supported her fundraising for the trip & its project work costs, and who donated Aid and Craft items to take with her for Hope Schools and other project organisations.