Chimana Child Protection Centre was established in 2007 by Mrs Elizabeth Mahiyana in Chipinge in Manicaland province. The center is home to 12 orphaned and vulnerable children ranging from age 5 months to 18 years. It was established after the community of Chimana approached Mrs Mahiyana to take in more orphans from within the community whose parents had died of HIV/AIDS.
As UFIC Branches and Zones across Zimbabwe and beyond the borders engaged in various humanitarian programs in celebration of Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa’s Birthday the leader for UFIC Chipinge visited the center for an institutional needs assessment. The aim was to supply the institution with basic foodstuffs and toiletries for the welfare of the children in celebration of the Birthday. However after undertaking the needs assessment exercise it was concluded that the need was far greater than anticipated. The institution did not have adequate ablution facilities for the children; the available Blair toilets were no longer conducive since they were reaching their capacity of usage. Apart from that the same Blair Toilets were also their bathing facilities whose rooftops would often be blown away during stormy or windy seasons. They also did not have any water retention facilities for hygiene purposes; they did not have running water on taps; and they did not have electricity. Apart from the greater need they still required basic foodstuffs and toiletries.
As per Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa’s nature of seeing through eyes of love and addressing people’s needs with love; construction was undertaken speedily with the construction team working day and night. Since unavailability of electricity was hampering construction progress; Electricity was connected as a matter of urgency thereby addressing one of the pressing needs. An ablution facility for both boys and girls was constructed complete with running water on taps and showers for the bathroom facilities. To address their water challenges; a 40 000 Liter water reservoir was erected at the home.
The handover ceremony was conducted on the 29th of October 2020. Groceries including Rice, Flour, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Salt, Tea Bags, Tea Creamer, Biscuits, Sweets, Tissues, Washing Soap, Bath Soap, Washing Powder and Drinking juice were also donated on the day of the handover. The institution’s face lift also helps in the transformation of the children’s mindsets; they now know and have the assurance that they are not alone but they are loved and cared for and indeed they are everybody’s child.