28 January 2011
Hunger and hardship has been a way of life for many in Zimbabwe over recent years. Here we revisit the stories of some people that Tearfund has helped through difficult times.
Gogo's story
Gogo Ngwenya remembers 2008 and 2009 as being bad years. So bad, that if the church hadn’t turned up to ‘rescue’ her and her family, she reckons they would have perished.
That’s because Gogo, who’s in her 70s and lives near Bulawayo, has to look after seven grandchildren, left by her daughters who died.
Two years ago, this was proving an almost impossible job, as acute food shortages left the family on the brink of starvation.
Like many others in rural Zimbabwe then, crops had failed and there was no outside help.
Tearfund partner Zoe brought hope through its work with local churches. Zoe provided food supplies which volunteers from the congregation of a church called Maranatha distributed in Gogo’s community.
Rejuvenated
Seeking out the most vulnerable, they identified Gogo as a needy case and provided her with monthly rations of maize, cooking oil and beans.
She also received maize seeds, a lifeline after failed harvests, and from those she obtained seven 50kg bags of the crop.
Looking at the grandchildren now and you can see the difference the intervention by Tearfund, Zoe and the local church has made. Their previously skinny bodies have been rejuvenated, their skin looks healthy.
Maranatha was also able to contribute to the school fees of one of the granddaughters, meaning that none of the children missed out on education.
It wasn’t just practical help that was provided. Church volunteers regularly visited Gogo and her family and offered emotional and spiritual support during those difficult days.
Gogo said, ‘They are good people and we have developed a good relationship. They help me whenever I have a need.’
Assessing the help she received, Gogo added, ‘I thank the Lord for those that have helped me and I pray the Lord will bless them.’