
Today we drove out on the Enterprise Road, past the most ghastly mansions and hideous displays of wealth I’ve seen to Chikawaka and Shearly Cripps Children’s Home. This is an Oorphanage attached to the St Johns Secondary School, about 100km north east of Harare, which TZABA and the Medical Orphans Project support.
The Home itself is set at the back of the scattered school buildings, accessed through a heavily overgrown track between tall maize plants. A sign that the rains have been good this season and the children might not go hungry, as happened last year. The low buildings are set around the attractive rockery at the entrance, where the red earth seems to blend seamlessly into the red of the buildings.
In the small tidy office we were introduced to the head of Administration for the Home, Sister Moreblessing. She is a small lady, with her white headscarf framing a beaming smile which welcomed us. With her was an assistant, Eve, who disappeared and later reappeared with water for us guests, and a little baby wrapped in African style with a blanket on her back.

While travelling out, we had been discussing in the car some article written by a charity official which argued that all orphanages should be closed down. Apparently their time and purpose had passed and they were likely doing more harm than good. This topic started when we pulled up at a traffic light (non-functioning as usual) to be offered some peanuts to purchase by a little boy. There are many young children who gather at corners trying to sell titbits.
I asked about the range of ages of children in the Home… and was told, they range from 1 yr to 18 years old. So young! I exclaimed. So I was introduced to the newest and youngest child, on Eve’s back, and told her story.

She is named Makanaka (means God is Good). She is 15 months old with huge round inquisitive eyes. Her mother, apparently very young with mental health problems (I was unable to ascertain what in particular), gave birth and simply ran away and disappeared afterwards. Not sure if she is still alive or around. No family known. Uncertain if abuse is involved. Father unknown. Makanaka was still at the clinic 6 months later, wanted by no-one. The staff finally approached the Sisters at Shearly Cripps, who readily offered to accept her. And now it seems she has endless sisters and brothers who care for her as she has been welcomed into the Home.
Is there a role for such Orphanages? I think Makanaka would make a very strong case for their deep value and purpose in keeping love and acceptance flowing, in valuing each life, and providing a place and home for every individual.
Together with the water operator from the school and Sister Moreblessing, we made a tour of the water storage reservoir, the boosters, the meters and valves, noting what needs to be installed, adapted and prepared. The Home has been managing on 2 hours of water a day, between 6 and 8am. Although they have toilets and showers installed, they cannot be used because of the lack of water. Instead, everything is collected with buckets. Running water would change so much: not just in terms of hygiene and cleanliness, but the possibility of growing their own vegetables and providing for themselves.

We continued our discussions on the new borehole just completed: how it would operate in conjunction with the school’s water supply, the plumbing arrangements, the storage, etc. But it was more difficult to concentrate on the technicalities with the little Makanaka watching every move. Eventually I started playing Peek-a-Boo and through splayed fingers we would squeeze our eyes at each other. She giggled, and responded with fingers on her eyes.
Much still needs to be done, but the 100m borehole is complete and seems to have a good yield, although the testing is not complete. As we finished our tour the rain arrived, in torrents. Accessing the borehole over the small stream became impossible, but all the essential items had been gathered, sufficient for decisions to be made. The final connections will be completed when the weather allows.
But looking into those eyes of little Makanaka, and listening to Sister Moreblessing excitedly talking about what water can do for the Children’s Home, was a great reminder of why we do this work. To be part of providing more blessings where we can: surely that must be part of the purpose of life?
Thanks for reading, and your support.
Sandy Elsworth 29 January 2025
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