Local Partner: Shinga Development Organization

Local Partner Director: Reverend Elimelech & Margaret Makambira

Area Served: Manica, Mozambique and Mutare, Zimbabwe

Program Goal: Empowering women, men and children through literacy, vocational training, cooperative gardening, primary education and orphan care.

Program Services Provided: Primary education, women's literacy, vocational training, orphan care and food self-sufficiency. Number of Program Beneficiaries: Over 3,000

Current Needs: Funding for implementation of agricultural program and additional classrooms.

Program Summary: Shinga Development Organization, formerly known as Emmanuel Ministries is an outreach program serving Manica, Mozambique and Mutare, Zimbabwe. The program consists of a women's literacy and vocational training program, pre-schools, a primary school, a clinic, a church, a men's welding program, a cooperative small scale agricultural program and a childcare program for orphaned children. Bread and Water for Africa® provided support for the program including funds for the construction of the clinic building, the pre-school and orphan care buildings and equipment and supplies for the vocational training programs.

The women's vocational training program focuses on sewing, bread and brick making activities. Sewing machines and sewing supplies were purchased with funds from Bread and Water for Africa® and the women make school uniforms for their own children and to sell. They are also able to make other types of clothing and craft items to sell to help support their families. The program has over 100 women currently participating.

The co-founders and directors, Margaret & Reverend Elimelech Makambira say, "We are declaring war against illiteracy, hunger and disease in Mozambique." They say the greatest strength of the program is, "The willingness of everyone in the community to learn and work hard and the appreciation of the people who are benefiting." And when asked what they are most proud of, they say, "Seeing orphans happy and well fed, hearing the kids recite their lessons in the classrooms and just seeing the level of development in the project community in Mozambique."

This year, the elementary school was given 7th grade status and enrollments is up over 1,700 students. The future high school project is about 25% completed, and it will be completed and serving the community in 2009. Shinga isn’t stopping there: it is Margaret and Elimelech's dream to one day build a university in Manica.

We continue to be amazed and inspired by the hard work of the Makambiras, the people in the local community who are participating in the programs and the volunteers who are supporting this effort.