It was a great morning gathering as we welcomed friends of Project HOPE ‘in person’ after a three year hiatus. The event began with a live video link to Chipata, Zambia with Geoff Muvumbo, Project HOPE’s partner in the Eastern Province, sharing updates with the crowd.
Geoff shared about the ongoing work with growing crops to sustain widows and orphans. The crops are soon going to be ready for harvest!
News about the impact of the last widows training conference was also communicated. Geoff spoke about the amazing progress of the widows who participated and the growth of their home based businesses since the training. Up next is another conference scheduled for May 2023 when twenty-five women will be attending and then be launched into their own business enterprise.
The morning continued with up to date news from all projects by Executive Director Christopher Graves who just returned from Africa on April 24, 2023. Christopher highlighted each project with images and information just gathered in the weeks prior to the event. Guests were delighted to hear about the significant progress of all projects and opportunities for participation.
Two specific needs were presented, school support packages for orphans and tool kits for apprentices. Graves outlined how school fees in Zambia have been discountined for orphans post-pandemic but that uniforms, shoes and books are still required for attendance. For $50, an orphan will be provided with the package which will allow them to be in class. The second need, for a gift of $75, provides hand tools, namely a saw, chisel set, tape measure, block plane, hammer and file, for carpentry apprentices to learn the trade and have a career path.
With terrific refreshments, an enthusiastic room full of guests and the bonus of meeting people face to face, the Gather in the Village Event generated much-needed funds for projects and the packages outlined. There is still time to participate if you did not have a chance to attend. To donate today, simply select the DONATE NOW button on our home page and take the opportunity to impact the life of a widow or orphan today!
