Villages of Hope - Africa

VOH is now registered in Mongu, Zambia, which is located in Western Province.

The local King allocated the land for Village of Hope and a small community school has been started bringing education to vulnerable children living in Mongu.

The project will be under the leadership of Paul and Marinette van Coller of the South African Assemblies of God.

*To view pictures of Mongu visit the VOH-Mongu photo album

This is Tinashe. He is about 8 years old and is in Grade 1.

Tinashe moved into one of the Children's Homes at the Village of Hope around September 2008. Tinashe and his older sister Mavis never knew their father. After their mother passed away and they were left in a friends care, Tinashe and his older sister were forced by a family friend to steal from their neighbours. If they came home empty handed they would not get fed and they would be beaten.

When the school they had been attending noticed Tinashe and his sister w were absent for a long time they went looking for them. They found the children in horrible conditions; it was then that the authorities were called.

Social Welfare brought the children to Harare from their rural home and Village of Hope took Tinashe and Mavis into one of the children's homes.

When Tinashe and his sister arrived at VOH they were malnourished and scarred; however, God has done amazing things over this past year. Tinashe is loved and goes to school every day with a full stomach.

Tinashe now smiles all the time and he is healthy and well fed. He is part of a family of 9 children, attends church on Sunday's and children's programs through the week.

About one month ago, we took Tinashe to a doctor because we noticed he had trouble climbing stairs, or running. He was beginning to fall down several times a day, for no apparent reason. Tinashe has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and will probably need a wheelchair in the next year or two.

Please pray for Tinashe, that God would heal him emotionally from his younger years, and physically that he could walk as long as possible.

“[The children] are the focus,” he said. “[They] are at the centre of what Village of Hope does.”

He continued, “As we break this ground today, this is not a ceremony of the building to come; . . . it is a celebration of the love and care that will come to the children.”

Opening in prayer was the PAOC Regional Director for Africa, Steve Chaloner.

“We all come with one purpose: bringing hope to children,” he said. “God . . . is watching down on us; let us ask for His blessing.”

Later, the Deputy Chief Bishop of PAOG (Z), Joshua Banda, spoke:

“It is a great joy for us to gather here today. This work . . . represents a partnership between the PAOG (Z)...and the PAOC. . . . Jesus talks about meeting human needs both spiritual and physical; . . . God wants to see relief from pain, poverty and suffering. . . . We are here not for the short term; we are here for the long haul. . . . May God bless you and may this day be recorded in Heaven.”

After Bishop Banda’s speech the Assistant General Superintendant for the PAOC, David Hazzard, made an address.

“We are delighted to partner with [you] for the greater good,” he said. “It is our prayer this . . . will become a place where . . . God is able to bring forth men and women who know . . . they are children of God . . . and that God has a plan and a destiny for them.”

Joe Whitakker, President of Reliable Foundation, and his wife, Darlene, spoke next.

“We are so grateful to be working beside VOH, PAOG (Z) and PAOC,” Joe Whitakker said. “We are committed to seeing this whole project come to fruition.”

“Our hearts are for the children,” Darlene Whitakker added,
“and we are looking forward to what God is going to do.”

The District Commissioner of Chongwe then spoke on behalf of the government.

“I always have much to say if it involves the children,” he said. “When we see you coming in to help our children . . . we get humbled and we appreciate it.”

The DC said Chongwe has high levels of drug use, child abuse, and child labour. “[Village of Hope] is protecting these children from [these things],” he said, “. . . and we want to thank you. These children are the future of the nation.”
The ceremony finished with a programme by the children from the school.

Some of the children gave speeches describing what they wanted to be when they grew up­ - each child had a prop relating to his or her career of choice and for several seconds would act out his or her ‘job’.

After the children finished, the shovels were brought out and the official groundbreaking of the Village of Hope - Chongwe commenced.