In late February/early March, Dave & Bev Talbot of our Chabadza team traveled to Zimbabwe to meet with the Munyarari Mission Medical Clinic staff, the clinic expansion and revitalization construction team, and the local church and village leaders.
The existing clinic continues to be extremely busy. It was malaria season and this year the number of cases had dramatically increased.
Upon their arrival, the Talbots were given warm greetings by the local people and were graciously received by the new Munyarari Mission Station Chair and Pastor, Simbisai Jossie Mwaita, as well as the local medical clinic staff, nurses Mildred and Gertrude.
While dire economic conditions in Zimbabwe certainly propose challenges, the progress to expand the Mission’s healthcare facilities are continuing. In meetings with local tribal chiefs and headmen, Dave & Bev expressed the Chabadza team’s ongoing commitment to the people of Munyarari and the surrounding villages. The chiefs were asked to continue to emphasize the importance of the work of their local village communities to support the clinic expansion and construction. The people are valued partners in this construction process as they continue to make bricks, gather stone and river sand and transport all to the construction site.
Phase 1 of the project is almost complete, consisting of the main outpatient block, patient waiting area, toilet facilities, a duplex housing unit, new borehole (well) and a solar powered water supply system and new septic system. All work for Phase 1 was to be completed by the end of April but the Covid 19 outbreak, now hitting the people of Zimbabwe, has pushed back that timeline.
The Talbots’ visit to Zimbabwe was timely and rewarding. These are difficult times and their presence gave the reassurance that we are all in this together and, collectively, we are there to support and encourage each other. God willing, it is the Chabadza team’s hope to return to Zimbabwe very soon, complete Phase 1 and move on to complete the remaining phases as soon as possible.
New baby born at Munyarari clinic
This little girl was born at our clinic
Going for a stroll
Happy children at church
Village Caregivers
Dave with local leadership
Outpatient Clinic
Lavatory block
New Staff Housing