About the Mumvuri Project
Everything you need to know about who we are, where we came from, and the vision that drives us.
Not an orphanage, but a lifeline
The Mumvuri Project identifies orphans and vulnerable children in the Banket community, establishes their need, and assists wherever possible, usually by taking on their school fees. In Zimbabwe it is traditional for orphans to be taken in by their extended family, so our children stay with their grandparents, aunts, uncles or older siblings, and we lighten the burden on that family.
Two of our board members work directly with the children in our care, visiting them in their homes, praying with them and encouraging them. We follow their school performance, check on their reports, and look out for any who are not attending school. We are careful not to cause jealousy or conflict within families, mindful that jobs are scarce and abundance is the privilege of very few.
How the Project began, in 1995
The Mumvuri Project was formed in 1995 by a group of local Christian women who lived in Banket, Zimbabwe, and who were concerned at the growing number of orphans in the community due to the AIDS pandemic. These orphans, although housed by their extended family, were not going to school, and their caregivers were struggling to provide for their basic needs.
In the beginning, orphans were identified through local community knowledge, and each home caring for orphans was visited. Having identified these children, our members began a programme of regular visits to make sure the vulnerable children were being properly cared for. The management committee agreed that the Project’s main work would be to pay the school fees for orphans living with their extended family, and to supply a food parcel for the orphan to take home. In this way the burden on the caregiver is lightened, and the orphan is more likely to be welcomed and well cared for.
Rebuilding the walls, home by home
It began on a balmy Wednesday afternoon in the gardens of the Anglican church in Banket, at the monthly gathering of the Church Women’s Association. A speaker from the UK shared a vision from Nehemiah, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and how it could work in Zimbabwe to cope with its growing number of orphans: restoration in the life of the orphan child, the family, and the ravaged community, home by home, family by family.
Today the Mumvuri Project has become a community centre. The location is peaceful, the garden full of msasa and fruit trees. Every Sunday a church meeting is held on the premises, and we offer facilities for women’s groups and functions such as weddings. Our future vision is a place where young people fellowship weekly, adult education happens, Bible study groups meet, and community sports, clean-ups and care are planned and put into action.
Be part of the story
The opportunities to work toward lasting change in the lives of the people of Banket are many. Your gift, your prayers or your time all make a difference.
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