Franky is one determined boy.
Franky lives in a high-density area in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. He was abandoned by his parents when he was just 2 years old. His incredible grandmother, Fungai, cares for Franky, his cousin Tiffany, and her half brother and half sister.
The five of them live in a small one-roomed space with a single sheet separating the bedroom from their living space.
Their bathroom - an outhouse - is modest, put together with bits of scrap material (pictured below).
With no electricity, most of the family’s cooking is done on an open fire. Their outdoor furniture is minimal - with just a bench, a single metal chair, a log and plastic crate between them.
Franky’s little town has a population of over 77,000 people and the life expectancy is extremely short. A large portion - 40% - of the population are children until 14 years old, but just 4% are over the age of 65 years.
Fortunately, Fungai is one of the women who has defied the odds. She has been able to care for a growing number of grandchildren who desperately need her love and guidance.
Living a life in poverty
For Franky, getting a good education is so important to him. Five days a week Franky walks the two hours to school and two hours home again. The physical strain has damaged his feet and his shoes.
For children like Franky, who are living in extreme poverty, its the smallest things that can make a difference. A humble cardboard box becomes so much more than just a discarded item – it transforms into a playground of imagination, where Franky and his friends create entire buildings, complete with windows and doors, allowing them to build their own little world.
But it’s shelter, clothing, and above all else, food that will allow Franky to continue to grow into the man he is destined to be.
Brighten a child's day this Christmas
With Christmas around the corner, Franky and his family would love nothing more than to have enough food to eat on Christmas Day.
A gift of $62 will purchase a Life-Changing Care Package to ensure a child like Franky and his family receives a Christmas package full of essential food and nourishment.
Cost of living pressures have pushed up the purchase price of every item in these care packages to help vulnerable families. The donation to VANA to fund a single care package has had to increase to combat the cost increases.
Each VANA Christmas Care Package includes essentials like:
10kg of Mealie Meal, 2kg of Sugar, 2L of Cooking Oil, 2kg of Flour, 2kg of Rice, 2kg of Chicken, 375ml of Peanut Butter, 2L of Drink, 500g of Salt and Biscuits, Sweets, and Snacks.
It's more than a gift - it's a lifeline for families in need at Christmas.
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