Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

I can't believe that it is time to plan my visit to Zimbabwe!  As usual, I am so excited to get back there and to see, talk and play with the children whom we support.  In fact, my family and I will move to Zimbabwe for three months next summer because I want my children to get to know the kids they've heard about all their lives. 

Zimbabwe is one of my favorite places on earth, even though it might be a little sad and broken. When people ask me why I like Zimbabwe, I simply envision the people I've met there - their tenacity and will to move forward, no matter what is put in front of them.  Hard working and with a smile on their face, they are a symbol of grace during a very difficult time in their history.  I love hearing them sing in 6 part harmony - so effortless and so gorgeous!  I like eating their food, hearing their stories, and traveling through their incredible land.  What a beautiful country Zimbabwe is!

So, of course, it is with such joy that I can report that children are doing well - that they are eating the ATMIT we sent, that they are receiving the medicines they need, that girls are attending school thanks to the feminine products we've sent them, and that they are growing up.  Yes, they are growing up and I can't wait to see them to hear their stories from the past year and to see how the goats and chickens we gave out are doing.  I am excited to see lives changed!

Thank you all for making our work in Zimbabwe possible.  If you can, please tell others about what we do there.  We need many, many people to care for the children in that amazing country because we want all those children to dream of their futures, knowing they are possible.

On behalf of the children,

Tanya Weaver

The four containers of ATMIT (easily digestible oat porridge loaded with vitamins and minerals) have arrived in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe!  The week prior to arrival, it is always a nail-biting week because we simply don't ever know how the goverment of Zimbabwe will react to this humanitarian gift.  But, thankfully, we've never lost a container, no matter how many hoops we have to jump through to make sure the food arrives.

Now, sitting in our partner ZOE's warehouse, we have food for 400 orphan families for 3 entire months.  WHOO HOO!  Really, what is better than knowing that little ones can have a warm, decent meal twice a day?  Folks, please realize what you've done by donating to this project: you've assured these kids of one of the basic necessities of life - one that we take for granted in our corner of the world.  We can eat as many times a day as we want to, even if it is something small, like a carrot or something decadent, like cheesecake.  If we don't have time to cook, we have restaurants, fast food joints, supermarkets, and pizza shops to go to.  Amazing, isn't it? 

I am always reminded of how blessed we are when I visit the kids.  Some of the kids had no food when I first met them.  Some were literally mixing water and dirt to make little mud pies, which they'd wash down as dinner. Now. they are SO grateful for the nutritional support we send!  They've gained weight, they are back in school and they have hope.

All that said, I want to thank each and everyone of you for your generosity and for your care for children who are so far away.

On behalf of the children,

tanya