Orphan Work

	It is estimated that an incredible 8% of the population of Zimbabwe are orphaned or abandoned children. Throughout the Bible we are told to care for the fatherless, so this is an important area of ministry for ZPT. This year we have been able to offer some financial help to two of the leading Orphan charities in Bulawayo, The Sandra Jones Centre, and Mind the Gap. These charities are both at an exciting new phase of their development and are both moving to new premises this year.
	Mind the Gap was formed in 2007 and developed the idea of providing `family forever homes ‘ with about 8-10 children in each, looked after by a house mother ( and sometimes father) plus several `Aunts’. This idea has proved very successful and has given a secure and loving home to many young children including several with special needs. In August 2010, Jenny Hensman, the director of MTG, became convinced that the way forward for Mind The Gap would be the acquisition of a new property, large enough to accommodate 12 such homes and surrounded by land to grow crops and raise livestock and poultry. In Gods goodness, Jenny has been able to purchase such a property and has called it the Harvest Family Village – The plan is to move two of the existing family forever homes to the Harvest family village by the end of the year.
	The Sandra Jones Centre care for about 70 orphans and abandoned babies, specialising in making provision for young girls who have suffered sexual abuse, particularly cases where this has led to a pregnancy and the birth of a child. This very specialised centre has provided a safe refuge where the girls and their babies can be cared for lovingly and safely. This year they too have grasped an opportunity to obtain their own property which is much more suitable for their needs. They were using a rural camp retreat centre owned by Youth For Christ, but Youth For Christ do need this back for their own use now. Sandra Jones Centre has been able to purchase a Hotel in Bulawayo that was on the point of closing and is completely furnished and all ready to move into. This is a remarkable provision, and as Trustees we felt it was important to send a contribution at this time of major extra expenditure for them. For further information on the Sandra Jones Centre visit the website

Contact
Roger Prime