The Fairfield Children’s Home at The United Methodist Church’s Mutare Mission in Zimbabwe got a shot in the arm after receiving a donation of goods worth more than $5,000 from United Methodist Women in the Harare East District.
The center is home to more than 70 orphans of different backgrounds and age groups.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Rev. Tafadzwa Musona, acting district superintendent for the Harare East District, said children deserve society’s care and attention.
“As women gathered here today, our wish is to see all children from our communities receiving equal treatment from the society, not defined by their backgrounds, neither their parents’ position,” she said.
She said although the United Methodist women are not the biological parents of the children at the center, she wanted to see the orphans finding comfort from the women’s group.
“These children are no longer orphans, but have found parents in us as they look upon to you all who are gathered here,” Musona said.
Fairfield Children’s Home administrator Cecilia Thobani said the gesture would go a long way in addressing challenges at the center.
“Let me express my gratitude to the (Harare East District) women who made this event a success. I am overwhelmed with your support that you continue to give to us.
“You must not tire, for your reward is not earthly, but lies somewhere above the skies.”
Juliet Sithole, 18, one of the orphans at the center, expressed her joy, saying her life has been transformed through donations to the center.
“On behalf of the other children here, I want to thank our mothers who came today with the donation. As I stand before you, I am one of the beneficiaries of similar donations who has managed to complete an advanced level (of education),” she said.
Sithole plans to enroll at Africa University in August.
The donations included food, school stationery, toiletries and clothes, among other items.
Fairfield Children’s Home was established in 1903. The center has eight houses accommodating up to 80 orphans.
Chingwe is communications coordinator for the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference.
News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.
