March 2022
MESSAGE FROM PETER STAINES (CEO)
Thank you for taking the time to read this News Update from VANA Ministries.
The start of 2022 has been a very busy time for the VANA team in Zimbabwe, as we work with all our Project Partners to get our VANA children back to school. This includes paying school fees and providing every child with a uniform shirt, pants, socks and shoes. This year we have also provided
every child a mask and pencil case produced and sewn by our VANA Sewing Project based in Bulawayo.
VANA currently has 8 Project Partners in Zimbabwe and as we publish this update, the team is visiting with 4 Partners based in and near Harare. The VANA team are holding a one day workshop on the management of VANA funds and also visiting the schools that sponsored children attend. This photo is from one of the schools in a small town called Mutoko.
We are very sad to share that at the start of this year we lost a child to drowning. Priscilla, a beautiful 10-year-old girl who was part of the VANA Sponsorship Program at Ngozi Mine, Bulawayo. A big thank you to her sponsor and other donors who assisted with funeral costs and her family's needs. Her mother is heartbroken... we are heartbroken and reminded of the fragility of life in some of these areas.
Another example of this was when a child, 10yrs old Peter from Project Partner Good Shepherd Centre was bitten by a cobra snake and when taken to hospital they had no anti-venom. Timothy the lead staff member from the Good Shepherd Centre sent out a message calling us to pray for this Peter's healing. The next day Timothy sent word and said, "The swelling is gone. I believe healing is taking place." What a miracle! We are so grateful to report Peter is healing well.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of VANA Ministries. As you can see from the above stories, your partnership is vital to the ongoing future of these vulnerable children.
God bless,
Peter Staines
MESSAGE FROM ANGELA MOTSI (Managing Director Zimbabwe)
To all our VANA sponsors and donors, words are not enough to fully appreciate your unwavering commitment and support since 2006. Your support continues to make a huge difference in the lives of many of our poorest children in Zimbabwe.
Christmas 2021, your financial support gave a memorable Christmas to 620 families. That is more than 5000 children benefited from this gift. Each hamper comprised of Rice, Mealie Meal, Cooking Oil, Chicken, Biscuits, Sweets, Potatoes, Corn snacks and Noodles.
One mother wrote: "I was actually under my blankets, covering my face not knowing what I would do for my child this Christmas. Thank you very much for coming to my rescue."
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
THE POWER OF THE CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Meet Blessing Enock Moses. He is one of 3 siblings and at the time when the first photo was taken, he had his uncle (also a street kid himself) struggling to support him. On the 25th June 2020, Blessing joined the VANA Child Sponsorship Program. Today he attends school and has better care and nutrition, the pictures tell the story!
2022 GALA DINNER - SAVE THE DATE
Tickets available early April.
VANA Ministries Ltd (ABN 75 576 738 867) is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations of $2 or more to VANA are tax-deductible ln Australia.
PO Box 342, Woombye Qld 4559 Australia
P: 1300 592 481