I grew up as a “missionary kid.” As full-time missionaries, my parents were heavily involved in church planting and education ministries. We lived in rural Kenya where I attended a boarding school from grades 1-3.
Although boarding school wasn’t ideal, my parents decided it was the better option since the local schools didn’t offer suitable resources. While most children in my community had the option to attend school, it wasn’t affordable or adequate for them. Sadly, this remains true for many children living in sub-Saharan Africa today.
I recently met two brothers in Zimbabwe, ages 11 and 12, who were attending school for the first time. These boys were being forced to play catch-up in an accelerated program. Because of this, they were already extremely disadvantaged.
So many children in sub-Saharan Africa have little opportunity to obtain an education, let alone a good one. Like these two brothers, many are fighting for their futures.
In 1997, my wife Cindy and I became aware of an unfolding situation where the Zambia government closed a local orphanage, leaving many of the children, in the midst of the ravaging AIDS epidemic, on the streets of Kitwe.
In 1999, our Bible college allocated land where local church leaders and our global workers started our first community school for vulnerable children in Kitwe. What was initially a reaction to a heartbreaking situation has grown into a thriving ministry called Villages of Hope Africa (VOH).
Starting as just a preschool, we had only 43 children enrolled. Today, this ministry has grown to over 7,000 students, including 300+ preschool children, annually at centres in Burundi, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Each centre operates a school, often the very heart of the community.
Twin girls Maliwa and Lubinda, along with their single mom and grandma, have been blessed to attend a VOH school:
Severely malnourished, the twins became the first babies to enter VOH’s “Save a Life” program. Both girls received vital medical treatment, with VOH staff monitoring the twins’ health over the years. Staff were so excited when they enrolled the girls in preschool.
Today, the twins absolutely love learning! Now in elementary school, both girls are playing with their friends, helping their family with chores, and dreaming of the future. They and their family also faithfully attend their local church.
Maliwa enjoys singing and playing netball. She loves reading the Bible and sharing her favourite Bible stories with her friends. Her favourite subjects are math and science. Her dream is to be a nurse, since she passionately helps others.
Lubinda enjoys drawing and skipping. She loves attending her church’s kids’ program and is thankful that Jesus died on the cross for her. Her favourite colour is pink. Her dream is to be a teacher to help others love learning like she does.
Just like Maliwa and Lubinda, I believe no child should live without hope. This is why I am riding, along with many other participants, in our 2023 Ride to Thrive. Our desire is that VOH’s 2024 preschools intake is filled with at least 300 hopeful children eager to learn!
Keep in mind that when you send these children to preschool, they will be part of a VOH school community until grade 12. Each child is guaranteed to graduate high school!
Our goal is to raise $295,200 for these 300+ children. Would you consider giving $50, $100, or $150 toward our 2023 Ride to Thrive? You can provide hope and healing to children like Lubinda and Maliwa!
Murray Cornelius
Executive Director for Mission Global
