Day 22 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Zimbabwe (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Zimbabwe and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children they serve. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• “Pray for more and more Primary Caregivers to come to know the Lord so that they better care for the children. A lot of them carry very heavy burdens and have many wounds from injustices that have happened to them or, in some cases, are still happening. Please pray that God brings healing.

• Pray for open doors for income-generating activities for the Primary Caregivers so they have enough to support their families and themselves. We pray for open doors.” (Kupa, Regional Support Team Leader, Zimbabwe)

Day 10 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Nigeria (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Nigeria and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children that they are serving. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• “Pray for the Primary Caregivers in Nigeria who are in a season of harvesting palm oil. Pray that they will be safe, there will be no accidents, and they will earn a good profit, which is used to provide for their family.” (Toyin, Local Leader, Nigeria)

• Pray for protection from ill health for each Care Worker and Primary Caregiver, as many of them suffer from swollen legs. “Sometimes I wonder if it is physical, spiritual, or both.” (Vivian, Local Leader, Nigeria).

Kehinde (pictured far right) represents many of the many Care Worker and Primary Caregivers in Nigeria. Toyin shares "she has a heart to serve the most vulnerable and often lets the children come and stay in her house over the weekend. She will wash the children’s clothes on her own time and has a passion for serving. The way that she cares is on a different level.”

Day 4 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Mozambique

In Mozambique, there are 88 Care Workers who have committed to caring for the most vulnerable children. In many communities in Mozambique and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children they serve. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives that live with the children coming to the Care Point.

Today, we invite you to spend time praying for the Care Workers and Primary Caregivers:

• Pray for the Care Workers to serve wholeheartedly and continue to grow in their understanding of the Biblical mandate to serve. Pray that they will be united in their calling.

• Many of the Primary Caregivers are wounded by the loss of their children and grandchildren. “They hoped their children would look after them in their old age, but now they find themselves looking after their children and grandchildren. Pray for the Primary Caregivers in their grief and pain; that they would experience healing and restoration through the love of Christ.” (Audrey, Regional Support Team Leader, Mozambique)

Day 22 – Supporting Our Primary Caregivers

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2

Across Africa the most vulnerable children are being cared for by their Primary Caregivers. These can be their parents, but in most situations it is their grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, older siblings or sometimes neighbours who take on this responsibility – often with families of their own to provide for. Pray that they will feel supported by the Care Workers and know that they are not alone in raising the children who they care for. Pray that as they experience God’s love, they will be set free from the brokenness in their lives.

“The Care Workers started helping me care for my grandchildren when no one else in the community would. Through the Holy Home Visits that the Care Workers have done, I have come to know and accept the Lord Jesus. Through their constant encouragement, I have hope and trust in God.” - A testimony from one of the Primary Caregivers living in Susu Community, Zambia

#40Days2022