Key points:
- Sister Florence Mefor led a transformation of the family child health departments at United Methodist Old Mutare and Mutambara District Mission Hospitals in Zimbabwe.
- Expectant mothers praise the mission hospitals for their improved service and quality of care.
- The partnership between United Methodists in Zimbabwe, Norway and the U.S. helped make the improvements possible.
- Proper nutrition is an important aspect of care, and Dr. Walter Mutindori noted that “many mothers arrive at the shelter late in pregnancy, often malnourished or anemic.”
The family child health departments at Old Mutare and Mutambara District mission hospitals have undergone remarkable transformations, resulting in better care for mothers who are expecting.
At Old Mutare mission hospital, 16-year-old Margret Chiboora is experiencing her first pregnancy. “I was surprised to receive three meals a day,” she said. “This hospital is unique. Thanks be to God.”
Memory Veterai, 40, who is on her eighth pregnancy, praised the spacious rooms and free meals at Old Mutare.
“Everything here is impressive,” she said.
The changes have come through the tireless efforts of Sister Florence Mefor, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and midwife. Her work has not only improved maternity services at the United Methodist hospitals but also empowered communities, bringing dignity and hope to expectant mothers.
Partnering with The United Methodist Church’s Norway Conference, Mefor secured an annual grant of $13,800, which has revolutionized care at Old Mutare Mission Hospital, where she is currently stationed. The grant continues to sustain the program she initiated during her 15-year tenure at Mutambara District Mission Hospital, which is getting $18,000 per year.
Her concept was simple yet profound: provide daily meals to expecting mothers staying at the waiting mothers' shelter.
“I started this program at Mutambara after realizing that many women arrived with no food,” Mefor explained. “Some fainted; others resorted to stealing or doing odd jobs. They cried when asked about their situation. There was disharmony, premature deliveries and low birth weights. Some chose home births, risking their lives.”
With support from Norwegian and U.S. conferences — including Upper New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Iowa and Mountain Sky — the shelter now offers breakfast, lunch and supper. The program targets first-time mothers, older mothers who have delivered one child, women who have had multiple children already, mothers with chronic illnesses and those who are physically challenged.
“The impact has been profound. Mutambara saw an increase from fewer than 20 to over 80 expecting mothers, while Old Mutare now hosts around 40, up from the initial 15. Maternal and infant mortality rates have dropped significantly. In 2025, Old Mutare recorded zero maternity ward deaths,” Mefor said.
Dr. Walter Mutindori, chair of the Health Board, has called for meal provision to be formally integrated into the policy for waiting mothers at all United Methodist mission hospitals and clinics. He stressed the importance of nutrition for expectant mothers, noting that “many mothers arrive at the shelter late in pregnancy, often malnourished or anemic.”
“Regular, balanced meals,” he explained, “can improve maternal weight gain, hemoglobin levels and energy reserves, helping to prevent complications like prolonged labor, postpartum hemorrhage and infections.”
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Mutindori emphasized that proper nutrition in the third trimester leads to healthier birthweights, fewer preterm deliveries, and reduced neonatal morbidity and mortality. “Infants born to well-nourished mothers are less likely to require costly neonatal intensive care,” he said.
He also highlighted how free or affordable meals make the maternal shelters more appealing, especially to rural women — reducing home births and delays in reaching hospitals.
Beyond nourishment, shared meals foster peer support and open doors for health education. “Shelter stays become platforms for nutrition guidance, breastfeeding preparation and family planning education,” he added.
However, he acknowledged challenges, including the cost and sustainability of daily meal provision. “Meals must be safe, culturally appropriate and nutritionally balanced,” requiring consistent funding and expert oversight, he cautioned.
“Before this program, some mothers came with nothing,” said Angeline Macherechedze, acting sister-in-charge at Old Mutare, “The hospital had to feed them. Others relied on the shelter’s garden. Many opted for home deliveries, which were dangerous.”
Now, teamwork thrives. Mothers follow a duty roster for meal preparation, and everyone eats the same food — eliminating class-based disparities. “Home deliveries have reduced, and maternal health has improved,” Macherechedze said. “We hope to introduce income-generating projects for sustainability.”
At Old Mutare mission hospital, Patience Peyisayi, 38, on her fifth pregnancy, recalled past struggles. “We brought food from home and cooked with firewood,” she said. “If it ran out, no one could bring more. Now, rich or poor, we eat the same food.”
After three miscarriages, Mirriam Mugiyo, 22, left a sect that she had belonged to and is now getting medical care that she needed. “I’m nine months pregnant and praying to hold my first child,” she said. “No one has visited me since July, but this support has kept me going. I am thankful to the medical support I am receiving, and I have the faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel of holding my first child.”
Martha Sarapiya emphasized the shelter’s self-sufficiency: “We prepare our own meals and follow a duty roster. It’s part of our routine, and we enjoy it.”
Gardening is a highlight for Angela Chatyora, 18. “Watering our vegetables helps with exercise and baby movement. We enjoy it.”
Samartha Sandi, 18, added that the women play netball, “which keeps us active and stress-free.”
“It also builds teamwork,” she said.
Michelle Mukarakate, 16, enjoys thedancing sessions. “We play music and dance. It’s fun and uplifting.”
Donor partners have been important, according to Dr. Evan Matiki, medical superintendent at Old Mutare.
“Mothers don’t pay anything,” he said. “Previously, disparities in food caused discomfort. Now, everyone feels equal.
“We’ve seen an influx of mothers from outside our catchment area — even from Mutare City, choosing us over the provincial hospital,” he said. “Their coming helps us to eliminate undiagnosed diseases and complications on time.”
Loice Mauna, 19, recently underwent her second cesarean section. “I didn’t take any chances — I made sure to stay close to the doctors, and I truly felt well cared for. Honestly, if I had gone to a clinic, I do not think I would be holding my baby right now. I am deeply thankful for the hospitality and support I received.”
Mutambara serves a vast catchment area of 39 health facilities and four rural hospitals across Chimanimani District, said Ethel Mapanda, Mutambara District Mission Hospital administrator. Yet, expecting mothers travel from as far as Chiredzi, Mutare and Harare.
“They are drawn by the promise of three daily meals, clean shelter, excellent service and spiritual support,” she said. “We are equipped to host over 80 women, each provided with a bed and mosquito net — they only need to bring their linen.”
At Mutambara, the maternity program goes beyond medical care and nurtures the spirit, fosters community and restores dignity, said the Rev. Angeline Gutukunhuwa. “Each morning at 7:30 a.m., expecting mothers gather for devotion I lead. On Sundays, they join the main church service under the pastor-in-charge.
“The hospital chapel is always open,” she said. “Whenever someone feels the need to pray, they are welcome. I also counsel them during conflicts and visit them in their hostels or after delivery to offer encouragement.”
Gutukunhuwa emphasized that while at the hospital, mothers are guided to rely solely on God. Any other spiritual practices are respectfully set aside during their stay.
Matron Nhamo Marota highlighted the Mutambara program’s impact: “We have seen a reduction in maternal mortality, morbidity and home births. Since January, only one maternal death has occurred here ... There is improved prenatal education, early detection of complications and timely interventions.”
Tsverukai Chikodzi recalled earlier hardships. “Before this program, some had no food. Now, we all eat the same meal, and there’s harmony,” she said. At 42, she is expecting her sixth child.
Young mothers like 15-year-old Sheron Chaminama from Chiredzi praised the care. “We bathe with warm water, exercise and share meal prep duties. Everyone is treated equally — no more stealing or shame.”
Evelyn Gwizo, 20, was moved by the spiritual support. “The chapel is always open, and we are given the chaplain’s contact for prayer and guidance. It gives us hope.”
To ensure sustainability, Dr. Mutindori recommends sourcing food locally through partnerships with farmers and community groups, prioritizing undernourished mothers but feeding all to avoid stigma.
He encourages using mealtimes for education on breastfeeding, HIV prevention and newborn care. Monitoring maternal health and birth outcomes is key.
“Feeding expectant mothers at UMC shelters,” he said, “strengthens maternal and newborn outcomes, increases hospital-based deliveries and builds trust — aligning with UMC’s mission and Zimbabwe’s safe-motherhood goals.”
The Rev. Barnabas Gwatura, Mutambara Mission Station chair, expressed appreciation for the support and its transformative impact.
“I commend the church and all donor partners, including Rukwadzano RweWadzimai (women’s organisation), for their unwavering support,” he said. “Their contributions have strengthened antenatal care, saved lives and brought lasting hope to mothers and families across our nation.”
Chingwe is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference and a correspondent for UM News.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.