8/1: Starving for partnership - Update on Zimbabwe

Friends - I have sad reality report for you. The situation in Zimbabwe is getting worse, not better. Forgotten Voices is uniquely positioned to address the challenges in the country because we work through the largest supplier of services for ophans int he country: the local church.

The local church is the 1st responder to food, water, and education needs faced by orphans in the country. Not the government, UN, or even NGOs. Our network of churches has grown to about 150 local churches across the country, all working hard to implement their Local Orphan Care Plans in partnership with Forgotten Voices.

Meet Abigail and Happiness (pictured right). Read their story and how their local church's AIDS programme is helping meet their needs for schooling.

You can give today. I need you to seriously consider making a 1 time gift or setting up a recurring gift. We have plans in place to reach about 2,400 orphans in this next quarter and currently don't have the funds necessary to meet these goals.

One pastor wrote me this morning and said:

HAVE AN URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION IN THE VILLAGE, THE PEOPLE ARE STARVING SO BADLY, I CANT BELIEVE IT, KIDS ARE FAILING TO ATTEND SCHOOL, I HAVE TRIED TO SOURCE SOME FOOD, BUT I'M FINANCIAL STRANDED AT THE MOMENT.ITS SO HARD HERE. WE ARE STRUGGLING AS A FAMILY TOO.MY PROGRAMS ARE COVERING FOOD, MEDICATION, SCHOOL CARE, EMPOWERMENT, WATER, ETC, BUT ITS GETTING HARD ON ME NOW. -- Pastor near Victoria Falls trying to work with us

Forgotten Voices works with churches all over the country to develop systems of orphan care implementation, accountability, and reporting to make sure your gifts are used appropriately. But if we don't have funds, the plans designed by these local pastors cannot be funded.

If you are considering giving to a cause in Zimbabwe, please consider giving to us. The situation is getting desperate. Every morning, I rise to check in on our partnerships.

With the economy in the USA declining and gas prices rising, giving is down. Consider cutting back in some area of your life (a cup of coffee every day, a movie rental a week, or an ice cream cone) and give those funds to people who are putting their own resources to care for kids...and they are running out.

I look forward to continuing to partner with each of you that read this. I'm really not trying to guilt you here, but I spent the day on the phone with people in Africa...looking at the options...and they are few unless we get more donations.

THANKS for doing all you are doing to tell our story, helping fund the dreams of local churches caring for AIDS orphans in southern Africa.

Tomorrow - I'll write about how we hope to add 12 new church partners, helping these churches reach nearly 2,500 more AIDS orphans by the end of 2008.

with love and thanksgiving,
Mkuelko Ndlovu (praying elephant)
aka Ryan Keith