In July 2022, my wife, Jane, & I had the privilege to visit the community of Chinyausunzi in Mutare, Zimbabwe. This community has some of the poorest housing conditions we have witnessed in Africa. We saw rooms that were originally built to house single men, working on the railways or in the mines, now accommodating several families. Despite this, the Care Point, supported by Hands at Work and serving 130 of the most vulnerable children of this community, is one of the most joyful and hope-filled ones we have visited. Here children are safe, well fed, known by name, listened to, and are allowed to be children through games and play.
Boots at Work logo for the walk designed by George Green
We don’t have a church in the UK to partner with this community as yet and so, in October, I walked the 109 miles of the Cleveland Way to raise funds for, and awareness of, this community.All the money raised is going towards providing the three essential services of food, education and healthcare for the children of this community.
The Cleveland Way Trail
The Cleveland Way Trail starts from the market town of Helmsley, heading on to the heather moorlands of the North York Moors National Park, before reaching the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. From here the scenery is replaced by dramatic cliffs, secluded coves and sandy beaches, taking in some beautiful coastal communities and old fishing villages. The path passes Rievaulx Abbey and Whitby Abbey, scene of the Synod of Whitby in 664, so decisive for the future direction of Christianity in Britain
There is something about doing a long walk and feeling exhausted at the end of each day that, in a very small way, is an act of solidarity with the Care Workers who, every day, on top of all their work at home, prepare fires, cook the food for 130 children, serve them, play with them, scrub the huge cooking pots, visit the children in their homes, advocate for them in school and clinics, love and care for them. When thinking of all that these amazing women do (it is mainly women), it actually seems pretty feeble to say I’m tired after a 12-mile walk in beautiful countryside!
Chinyausunzi
Hands at Work Care Points are best described as Life Centres. They represent a place of peace and security. Children, who may be carrying huge responsibilities as the sole carer of younger brothers and sisters, have the opportunity to play and be children again for a moment. It was particularly moving to see how the Care Workers at Chinyausunzi engaged with the children. Not only do they prepare and cook all the food for 130 children, but they played, talked and listened to them all too. One Care Worker was intentionally seeking out and sitting with the quieter children who didn’t want to play boisterous games. Truly it is a place that brings the kind of fullness of life that Jesus talks about. The support generated by the walk is helping enable this work. My hope in walking the Cleveland Way is to put Chinyausunzi ‘on the map’ in the UK, so that we can find a partner for this community and our amazing team of Care Workers.
Thank You!
Thank you so much to everyone who supported my Boots at Work walk, especially to those who gave anonymously and who I haven’t been able to thank personally. The total now stands at £2,715 which with Gift Aid added makes a final total of: £3,182.50. Your support will make a tangible difference: this amount will provide 13 of the most vulnerable children in Chinyausunzi with the three Essential Services of food, education and healthcare for a year.
David Newsome