This month we are located at a crisis centre for abuse victims and also orphans in Zimbabwe. On arrival we were told that 1/3 girls in Zimbabwe will be sexually abused before they turn 18. That statistic is heart breaking and there is no way to sugarcoat it. Amongst all this there are places like the Sandra Jones Centre that are doing all they can to make that statistic inexisistant.
This centre is a place for children and women who were subject to abuse, don’t have family or who have become pregnant due to abuse to come and be safe and cared for. The children go to school here or down the street during the mornings. While they have many responsibilities, this is also a place where, to the best of their abilities, they can be kids, have fun and receive love. There is also a vocational program for the older girls and women. They do bible studies and devotions, but then are also taught practical life skills so that they can come out of the program and integrate back into society with some practical training. They learn agriculture skills with their garden and animal’s. Once ready, they sell the produce, I got to taste the tomatoes and they are delicious! There’s also other things the women can learn like hairdressing, hospitality, art, cooking etc.
My team and I help teach classes in the mornings and we are also directing a nativity play. The afternoons consist of playing with the kids and getting to know the women and just really focus on building relationships and encouraging them. We get to do life with them, which is something I love about this month; we eat meals together, go to church and youth group, have dance parties and movie nights, we tell jokes and stories, play cards and do math homework.
I love seeing the same faces everyday, knowing their names and stories. Every morning the kids are so excited to see us that they come running to us, screaming our names, it’s so sweet.
The Lord is so good in redeeming the lives of his children here.
