Jeanette's Mission

  VOH Africa is expanding!  We're getting ready to launch a new VOH Centre in Bulowayo, Zimbabwe!  The VOH Africa lead team, including me, visited the new location to give training about VOH Africa, our vision, mission, values and  programs. My role was to do the training on key standards and accountability measures to operate a VOH Centre.  What a fantastic week ... to see the energy and enthusiasm of the new leaders and volunteers. And to see the tremendous need. On the first day, we went to a location about 3 hrs from the city to see the potential new site. The government is gifting us land to start the Centre there. The community is one of the neediest in the country. Much drought exists, and the community is full of "go-go's" (grandmamas) looking after their grandchildren whose parents have passed away or moved to neighbouring countries to try to find work. We shared ideas, dreamed together and laughed together - all under a huge tree. I was so impressed wi...

  TANZANIA UPDATE   Since I wrote you a few weeks ago about the unrest in Tanzania much has happened. While businesses, schools and the airports have re-opened, and the internet has been restored, there is still much unrest and anxiety in the country. There was a small window where the airport opened, which allowed me to get to my meetings in Zimbabwe (more on that next month)! I returned to Mwanza this week to wrap up a few things but am heading to Canada tomorrow (a few weeks earlier than planned) as the tension is continuing to build. There is widespread rumors that people are planning for a huge protest on Dec 9th, Independence Day, and that the police and military are ready.  Reports of lives impacted are rampant. We are receiving text messages from the police warning us not to join groups or have pictures that may not favorable, as this could result in being detained.  In short, the situation still needs prayer. Pray for the people to be safe and for ...

  As you may or may not know, Tanzania had its election last week. There was much anticipation for the weeks leading up to it. The opposition leader was put in jail and charged with treason a few months ago. This led to his party withdrawing from the election leaving only the current president, Mama Samia, and a few scattered independents to stand. It was obvious she was going to be put back into power, and the people were not happy.  Fears of riots and protests were widespread. The fears came true. Since last Wednesday, there have been many protests and riots, creating massive chaos and fear. The government has shut off access to much of the outside world by cutting off some phone lines, all social media and the internet. As of today, there is still no internet.  Businesses, shops and schools are closed, the airport has shut down and a dusk to dawn curfew to stay in our homes is mandated. Loud explosions of teargas bombs and gun shots fill the air, in the ...

  I was out on the VOH school grounds the other day when the childen were getting ready for lunch. There is always alot of activity that time of day - children scurrying around with their silver plates, playful aughter and happy chatter in the distance. As I watch the kids running around, as we go into Thanksgiving this weekend, I'm reminded how  thankful I am for this ministry that cares for the children, in such practical ways, like giving them porridge in the morning and lunch every afternoon, many of whom would otherwise go hungry. Watch this short video of my reflections .. and if you watch the full 50 seconds, you'll enjoy a little Thanksgiving Day greeting from a few of my friends! Happy Thanksgiving Message - Click here This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness in my life, and I'm thankful for you! THANK YOU  ... for living out Matthew 25. THANK YOU  ... for caring for the children. THANK YOU  ... for caring for me. As you enjoy...

  A few weeks ago, key leaders from each of the VOH Centres met to plan the next 3 years and dream together. The focus was to think through new and creative initiatives that would meet needs and keep up with the changing times. It was exciting! We talked about implementing  "School in a Box"   where the children could get after school tutoring with everything we need in a portable box. We had a presentation from  Child's Play International , an NGO that uses  pop-up classrooms and storytelling  to foster creativity, self-expression and healing from trauma. And we had lots of interactive activities as a team too!  On the 3rd day, we visited our VOH Centre in Chongwe, Zambia to see some of the innovative initiatives they are doing, specifically the new Sacred Space and the Art Therapy Room.  The  Sacred Space  is a space specifically designed for the children to spend time with God. The children presented to us the 4 stages they go through...

  I know I’ve said it before, but when I see the children laughing, singing and playing at VOH, it’s hard for me to realize they are among some of the most vulnerable children in the community. I had a chance to be reminded of that reality a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Rick, Senior Pastor of Portico Community Church in Mississauga, and his wife Amanda, were visiting VOH Tanzania. They have been an amazing church partner with VOH for many years. I was blessed to host them and show them around. One afternoon, we climbed a steep, rugged pathway behind the VOH Centre to arrive at communities where many of our VOH children live. The VOH welfare team works with the community leaders and make house to house visits to determine who the children most in need are and invite them to come to VOH. We had a chance to visit 3 grandmothers and their homes of 5 VOH children. It was a visit I won’t soon forget. First, we went to Salome’s home. His dad died when he was a baby and his mother passed aw...