Lirhanzo Mission School Roof
Donation protected
Lirhanzo Children’s Village (LCV) and Lirhanzo Mission School (LMS) provide much needed homes and education to many orphans and disadvantaged children in one of the poorest parts of Zimbabwe.
Despite the lack of facilities and infrastructure and having to use a garage, a chicken run and shade under the trees as classrooms for 252 pupils and teachers, Lirhnzo Mission School is constantly under pressure to increase numbers
Teachers and pupils make the most of their surroundings but they urgently need to improve teaching/learning conditions and offer protection from the harsh weather conditions ranging from the rains to 40 degrees heat in what little shade they have.
LMS desperately need proper classrooms and construction is at an advanced stage on one of the three classrooms planned.
However work has stalled on the remainder of the classroom block as funds are needed for the steel structure and roof.
I'm working directly with LMS to help raise the £14,000 needed to pay for manufacturing the steel structure, roof sheets, other materials, transport and labour to erect the construction; Which would then provide enough protection to cover 3 classrooms, an office and a storeroom.
Your donation large or small, will help protect the children from the elements, dramatically improve their education and ultimately make a massive difference to these children’s everyday lives and the local community.
On behalf of Ezelle and all the pupils and teachers I would like to say a big THANK YOU for your donation.
If you would like to learn more about this special place and the inspirational lady responsible please read on…
The story so far...
In 1992 Zimbabwe suffered a serious drought, with the small rural town of Chikombedzi being one of the worst affected areas.
The drought and lack of work meant farm workers were let go, food was scarce and families were struggling to feed their children.
At her home on what used to be the family farm before Zimbabwe’s land reform program, Ezelle Schimper was determined to help and fed 50 children for a year until the rains came.
Over the following 11 years lots of other children followed in need of care due to different circumstances.
As a result Ezelle founded the Lirhanzo Childrens Villiage (Lirhanzo is the Shangani word for love) to help orphans and vulnerable children.
After a long hard journey the orphanage was legally registered with the authorities in 2009 and is the model children’s home in this poor province.
Currently LCV has 34 children living at the home and supports several other orphans living at their grannies homes and is under pressure from Social Services to increase their capacity.
In addition to providing love and support in a safe environment Ezelle recognised the importance of education and founded the Lirhanzo Mission School (LMS) in 2010, initially to educate the children of the orphanage, as most of the children are disadvantaged in their learning due to their backgrounds and some also have learning difficulties.
The neighbours and new farmers that had settled on what used to be the family farm, realised the need for a local school & begged Ezelle to expand the school to include their children.
Despite the lack of facilities and infrastructure Ezelle agreed and today they have 252 pupils, still with little infrastructure which includes a garage, a chicken run and shade under the trees acting as classrooms!
The school pupil’s parents are very poor and most cannot afford to pay any school fees ($60 per year), but they do contribute by providing labour when they have to dig holes or collect sand for buildings or carry water for the construction.
The school struggles with lots of challenges including providing simple things like text books, pens and pencils, as well as repairing and maintaining the water pumping facilities and food is also very limited.
Therefore the Mission School is in desperate need of help and in addition to erecting a new roof, they also need to
Construct 3 classroom blocks, staff accommodation & family unit houses
Install better and cheaper water pump facilities to help grow more crops and vegetables
Furnish and equip the classrooms with IT equipment, garden tools & basic music instruments
Provide better transport for the Children’s Village & Mission School
If you would like to know more or feel you can help please feel free to contact me direct.
Thank you for reading and helping to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, pupils and staff of Lirhanzo Children’s Village and Lirhanzo Mission School.
Despite the lack of facilities and infrastructure and having to use a garage, a chicken run and shade under the trees as classrooms for 252 pupils and teachers, Lirhnzo Mission School is constantly under pressure to increase numbers
Teachers and pupils make the most of their surroundings but they urgently need to improve teaching/learning conditions and offer protection from the harsh weather conditions ranging from the rains to 40 degrees heat in what little shade they have.
LMS desperately need proper classrooms and construction is at an advanced stage on one of the three classrooms planned.
However work has stalled on the remainder of the classroom block as funds are needed for the steel structure and roof.
I'm working directly with LMS to help raise the £14,000 needed to pay for manufacturing the steel structure, roof sheets, other materials, transport and labour to erect the construction; Which would then provide enough protection to cover 3 classrooms, an office and a storeroom.
Your donation large or small, will help protect the children from the elements, dramatically improve their education and ultimately make a massive difference to these children’s everyday lives and the local community.
On behalf of Ezelle and all the pupils and teachers I would like to say a big THANK YOU for your donation.
If you would like to learn more about this special place and the inspirational lady responsible please read on…
The story so far...
In 1992 Zimbabwe suffered a serious drought, with the small rural town of Chikombedzi being one of the worst affected areas.
The drought and lack of work meant farm workers were let go, food was scarce and families were struggling to feed their children.
At her home on what used to be the family farm before Zimbabwe’s land reform program, Ezelle Schimper was determined to help and fed 50 children for a year until the rains came.
Over the following 11 years lots of other children followed in need of care due to different circumstances.
As a result Ezelle founded the Lirhanzo Childrens Villiage (Lirhanzo is the Shangani word for love) to help orphans and vulnerable children.
After a long hard journey the orphanage was legally registered with the authorities in 2009 and is the model children’s home in this poor province.
Currently LCV has 34 children living at the home and supports several other orphans living at their grannies homes and is under pressure from Social Services to increase their capacity.
In addition to providing love and support in a safe environment Ezelle recognised the importance of education and founded the Lirhanzo Mission School (LMS) in 2010, initially to educate the children of the orphanage, as most of the children are disadvantaged in their learning due to their backgrounds and some also have learning difficulties.
The neighbours and new farmers that had settled on what used to be the family farm, realised the need for a local school & begged Ezelle to expand the school to include their children.
Despite the lack of facilities and infrastructure Ezelle agreed and today they have 252 pupils, still with little infrastructure which includes a garage, a chicken run and shade under the trees acting as classrooms!
The school pupil’s parents are very poor and most cannot afford to pay any school fees ($60 per year), but they do contribute by providing labour when they have to dig holes or collect sand for buildings or carry water for the construction.
The school struggles with lots of challenges including providing simple things like text books, pens and pencils, as well as repairing and maintaining the water pumping facilities and food is also very limited.
Therefore the Mission School is in desperate need of help and in addition to erecting a new roof, they also need to
Construct 3 classroom blocks, staff accommodation & family unit houses
Install better and cheaper water pump facilities to help grow more crops and vegetables
Furnish and equip the classrooms with IT equipment, garden tools & basic music instruments
Provide better transport for the Children’s Village & Mission School
If you would like to know more or feel you can help please feel free to contact me direct.
Thank you for reading and helping to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, pupils and staff of Lirhanzo Children’s Village and Lirhanzo Mission School.
Organizer
Simon Bowe
Organizer