The following is a compilation of reports and photos from our President, Joe Nolte, on his recent trip to visit our schools and students in Zimbabwe.
Tonight is the end of my first full day in Zimbabwe. I arrived late last night to Harare, and this morning Mafaro and Fadzi drove me the seven hours to Chirdezi. Unfortunately, I slept a big chunk of the way and missed many things.
When we arrived in Chiredzi, I was honored to meet Fadzi’s mother at her clinic, where she works as an ophthalmologist. She gave me a tour of the clinic. They work incredibly hard as a source of maternity care, eye care, pediatrics, and general health care for the community.
Then, Kudzi, our dear friend Tafadzwa’s brother, picked us up. Today’s agenda: a visit to the compounds where the farmers whose children we sponsor live. The farmers work the sugar cane fields, often making just a few dollars a week. The housing is meager–concrete blocks with open rooms and wood-burning hearths for heat.
The parents were waiting for us. One told me that he stood there, all day, waiting for me to come. He needed to see me to tell me that without you, friends, he would not have the funds to send his daughter to school. She would possibly become a domestic, or a 13-year-old bride. But because of you, she has a real shot at life, and he wasn’t going to let the rain stop him from saying thank you. As a father, I appreciated his strength and determination and love for his daughter.
That story was repeated several times, as grateful parents who didn’t have the words grabbed my hands and wept. It was amazing and awe-inspiring. And then our guides showed me what the alternative looked like–men drinking in the bar, luring young girls with gifts and money and leaving them when they got pregnant at 13 or 14. Boys standing around, part of the raging unemployment in the country. These kids are smart and have dreams–and are deeply loved by their families. You are making those dreams possible.
We ended the day with dinner with Tafadzwa’s family. Her father could not stop telling me about her generous spirit, starting when she shared her lunch with hungry children at school who had no food. Tafadzwa, Fadzi, and Mafaro work hard to get these kids to primary school. I’m inspired by them, and I always want them to be the heroes to these children. They are the ones fighting for the kids, finding them and offering them a path out of poverty. We send the funds–very important!–but I always want the kids to know that it is their community stepping forward. Without Tafadzwa and Fadzi, they aren’t in school. I hope that inspires them someday to reach out and help someone from their community when they are older as well.
Tonight, I’m looking back on the day with tears of gratitude to you, to God, and to these families for letting us into their lives. Tomorrow, we visit Hope Academy in Chiredzi and then make our way to Chipinge.
Thank you again for caring so much about these children! As Tafadzwa’s father said, one of them could be the next doctor at a clinic (we’ve already seen one dentist in Kenya from our work!), the next teacher at the school, or even the next leader of the country. None of that is possible without your generosity.
DAY TWO
Today was another great day in Zimbabwe! We started our day with a visit to a primary school where our partner, Broken Wings Initiative, sponsors several children. It was great to see the students interact with Fadzi and her team, and see them in school!
Next, we visited Hope Academy in Chiredzi. Thanks to you, GSEF sponsors ten children at Hope Academy. Our visit started in the principal’s office. We learned that Hope Academy is also only one year old. They seek out students who may be rejected by other schools, students who perhaps didn’t meet the academic credentials or who couldn’t afford the school fees.
They are renting a building from the local Anglican church, but hope to build their own building soon.
They have about 250 students total. The students we sponsor were the first students to pay their school fees. That provided important capital to use to get ready for the first school year. They repeatedly thanked us for the faith we have in them.
We visited each classroom. The subjects looked just like high school in the US–cell biology, algebra, English composition. The teachers are dedicated professionals and obviously very talented!
After the tour, we met with our students. BWI was making a film, which gave me the opportunity to ask students about their hopes and dreams. They want to be doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers. Hope Academy is working towards ensuring that every student graduates with a path–either to university, or with a certificate for working in textiles, business, or agriculture.
I was grateful to meet these faculty, staff, and students. Thank you to all of you who give them hope!
The final part of our day was the drive to Chipinge. On the way, we stopped to meet Mafaro’s family. I’ve now picked up my third set of parents in Zimbabwe! My new families are wonderful, creative people, and I’m glad that we can share a bit more about our countries than what we read about in the news.
Thank you again to everyone who supports our students! You are giving hope to so many people. You are changing lives!
DAY THREE
Today, we braved some fascinating roads to get to our two high schools in Chipinge. This area is very different from Chiredzi. The land is mountainous, with tall trees and a rain forest. Agriculture includes macadamia nuts, tea, and bananas. Most people, if they are employed, support agriculture, often as day laborers. Many can’t find work and subsist by selling goods on the street.
Our first stop was Gwendzi Secondary School. Gwendzi enrolls 325 students in Forms 1-4 (grades 7-10). We began our visit with a discussion with the principal. They repeatedly thanked us for sponsoring five students at the school. There used to be other donors who sponsored children there, but now we are it, and there are many more students who need our help.
After our discussion and meeting our students, we visited each classroom. We noticed that as the classes progressed, the classes became smaller. Many parents did not complete school, and don’t see the value in having their children do so. Many parents will send their girls off to get married, or send their children to work as domestics or day laborers to earn money for the family. Many parents just aren’t there. We met a girl who was abandoned at birth and lives with her grandmother. The stories are heartbreaking, but our sponsorships are a tool the school can use to keep students enrolled.
Next, we visited Jersey Secondary School. Jersey enrolled 550 students in Forms 1-6 (grades 7-12). Students from Gwendzi who pass the 10th grade exam go to Jersey for the final two years. Jersey has an excellent academic record, and sends many students to university. We met with the principal and faculty, as well as our students. Principal Beta shared similar sentiments about the importance of our sponsorships, and has a list of students who could use help. One of our students was the star player on the school’s championship beach volleyball team! Jersey and Gwendzi sit on the border with Mozambique. Many students cross the border to come to school. In this picture of Jersey, you can see the soccer pitch. The border is right behind it.
After visiting the school, Mafaro showed his driving skills again as we made our way to Harare, stopping for the night in Mutare. It is a beautiful city that looks a lot like a Midwestern Iowa city, complete with excellent pizza.
Thank you to all of you who support our students. It was incredible to see first-hand the impact you are having, and share words of encouragement with our students. Thanks to you, these students have hope. And we are just getting started!
DAY FOUR
Sitting at the Harare airport, reflecting on the experience and what we learned. Mostly, I am so grateful to my new family, Fadzai, Mafaro, and Immanuel. You were incredible hosts and gracious when I fell asleep. Mafaro, if I ever need someone to drive on “roads” I’m calling you! Grateful to Anne-marie for having the passion and spunk to tell your story over our random lunch at the Iowa State Fair. Grateful to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and King of Kings Missionary Baptist Church and all of our supporters who have helped our kids in Zimbabwe, as well as in Kenya and Haiti. Grateful to the awesome GSEF board who are putting their time, talent, and treasure to work to build this little group. And I am grateful to the students, teachers, and parents who opened your doors and hearts to a crazy American who wanted to meet you and tell you that a bunch of people care about you. At the same time, I’m hopeful. Hopeful because there are people out there like Anne-marie, Fadzi, Richard, and Renee who want to make the world a better place, and who we can support in a small way. I am sad that there are students we can’t help this year, but I hope–I know–that we’ll to continue to grow and make an even bigger impact in your corners of the globe and more. About to board my plane. Signing off!
THOUGHTS FROM HOME
Joe made it home! Thank you to our partner Broken Wings Initiative for putting this trip together. This is our second site visit–last year, we visited schools in Kisii, Kenya. Each visit strengthens our resolve to continue this work. I’ve been reading a lot about interesting innovations in education–using technology, finding new teaching methods, etc., that are measurable and have lots of numbers to report. I maintain that while those are nice, they are meaningless if kids aren’t in school in the first place. We can provide all the free uniforms, free books, and bells and whistles, but the simple fact is that none of those things help a kid who can’t already afford to be in school. Watch soon for information on different ways you can help, whether through your time, your talent, or as a donor. Until every child has a path to graduate from secondary school, we cannot stop working.