About us The Baptist Union Orphan Care Programme operates under the Baptist Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) the welfare arm of the Baptist church. The BUZ Orphan Care programme was formed in 2003 under the BUZ, to cater specifically for the needs of orphans. The Orphan care programme was established to provide funding for their needs such as school fees, uniforms, books and stationery. Since then, the programme has given assistance to hundreds of children. Financial assistance is in the form of tuition while material assistance is in the form of food packs to those who are very needy (given on a monthly basis)
Our Vision
To take care of the orphans holistically by developing them morally, mentally, physically, socially, spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally. Reaching orphans for transformation in Christ in order to transform communities.
Our Mission
To empower orphans by feeding and educating them, equipping them with life skills and evangelizing to them.
Our Projects
The School Fees Assistance Project
Since 2009, The Baptist Union of Zimbabwe Orphan Care Programme has been supporting orphans with school fees, stationery, and in previous years school uniforms for those in dire need. To date over 3000 children have benefitted from this project. The beneficiaries are from 6 regions around Zimbabwe namely, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Midlands, Masvingo and Matebeleland. Some have proceeded to colleges and Universities and have made something of their lives. This project has been a success because of generous support from our friends.
The Nutritional Support Project
The Nutritional Support Programme was initiated after noting how many people were affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge in the Zvavahera area of Gutu. Many of the infected lacked proper nutrition, there were hundreds of HIV positive Adults and children. Adults were too weak to work in the fields or fend for themselves while children were staying out of school due to ill-health. The B.U.Z Orphan Care sought assistance from some International partners who helped pave way for this project.
A food hamper was created to give to those in need, beneficiaries receive a few basic items on a monthly basis, these include; Mealie meal, cooking oil, dried meat, beans and sugar. To date over 1000 families have been assisted and now many children have resumed their classes and adults are fit enough to do chores around the home and some even participate in Livelihood projects in the community. The project has come a long way and it has been particularly useful in times of drought. Currently we only offer nutritional assistance to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s) in the Zvavahera community of Gutu, Masvingo. We have 50 HIV positive children receiving food hampers on a monthly basis and we also have a supplementary feeding for needy children who come for activities at the Centre. They are given a hot meal twice a week. The support is given to needy children regardless of whether they are members of the church.
Children’s Minstry
Training children in the way of the Lord is a crucial part of their upbringing. The Orphan Care Programme plays an important role in equipping children with the word of God. This is done through tools like:
- Sunday School & Christian Holiday Camps,
- AWANA Clubs
- The Annual Bible Quiz
Zvavahera Baptist Transformational Centre
The Zvavahera Baptist Transformational Centre is a B.U.Z Orphan Care Initiative which was started to serve underprivileged youths and members of the local community, by providing life skills. It is a skills training Centre that is still under construction, but many inroads have been made to create a learning environment for a number of orphans and vulnerable youths. Our vision is to empower these disadvantaged young people with life skills and technical training so that they can become independent self-sufficient adults who can support their families and improve their community. The Centre sits on a four and half hectare plot in ward 9, Zvavahera, in Gutu District Masvingo Province. At the moment the multipurpose hall is under construction, and it is on the ring beam stage.
Project Beneficiaries
The following target groups will benefit from the Skills Centre:
- Young women
- Young men
- Underprivileged orphans
Youth Programmes
The Orphan Care Programme supports Sunday school activities in the various churches and these cater for children between the ages of 5 to 13 Years of age. The youths are the next important subset of our churches and community. The Orphan Care Programme has also designed programmes to empower them and educate them about important life issues in interesting ways. Various programmes were initiated to provide positive and healthy recreational activities.
Some of the Programmes are;
- Guidance & Counseling Programmes
- A Social Sports league – Football and Netball for the young men and women.
- AWANA – (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) An evangelism and leadership training tool which uses scripture rich games and activities
- Training in various short courses – we picked a number of youths at Zvavahera to train in some of the projects at the site, such as involvement in Sewing, Fish Farming and Gardening.
Youth programmes are particularly crucial in the rural areas where young people lack exposure and sometimes engage in wayward activities such as underage drinking because there is a lack of healthy social activities. Young girls often fall into early marriages because there is lack of guidance. We intend to expand these programmes so that the youths can form their own clubs. We need capital for the economic projects in order to buy inputs such as fabrics for training, Seed, herbicides etc. The Computer Project requires new computers, Tablets, and a reliable internet connection so the youths can get exposed to the digital world and can carry out research for their studies.
Source: Baptist Union of Zimbabwe Orphan Care Programme
