Operation Cover-Up Distribution
We wanted to give you an update on Operation Cover-Up and in fact, we have been working to develop a report the past couple of weeks. Just as I was ready to send out an e-mail, we received a report from Max, our team member on the ground in Zimbabwe.
We are going to let the words speak for themselves – they tell the story so much better than we possibly could. Max actually provided us with a couple of lengthy reports, so we will take the liberty to send you another update in a few days. This report came from Pastor Maria at Hatcliffe Church who was the coordinator of a distribution in her area (a settlement that was established by “squatters” who were forced out of their homes by the government during the 2006 “clean-up campaign.”)
“Most of the people at Hatcliffe stay in plastic and pole “dagga” houses. Most of their houses give in to weather elements like wind and rain. During the distribution, we came to a particular house where two children, ages 10 & 7 stay with their widowed mom. The children were alone as the mother had traveled to the rural area. When we gave them the blankets, the children began to cry. They were touched that they had received something to keep them warm, but also by the care they received from us, something their mother could not have afforded to buy them. The children were very grateful for the blankets. We got to another home that houses an elderly couple together with their seven orphaned grandchildren. The children belong to 3 of their late children whose spouses are also deceased from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The elderly lady is working at a nearby farm and she is the only breadwinner of the family. Her husband is too old to do any meaningful work. On average, farm workers are earning about $20 US a month. This shows the extent of vulnerability that these people are in. We are so grateful for your support in giving us the blankets. They will certainly go a long way in keeping the children warm. Our church attendance has also increased significantly after the distribution – from 290 to about 364.”
Operation Cover-Up has now distributed 2,000 blankets and another 1,000 will be purchased this week. We have received the funds for approximately 2,500 of these. As you can see, we are far from reaching our goal of purchasing 10,000 blankets.
If you can spread word of this need to your friends, family, organizations and churches, we would be incredibly grateful. The need is REAL and NOW is the time to “cover up” these children. The first frost occurred in Zimbabwe last week and winter is upon them. $7 for a blanket may SAVE a life…and as evidenced by above, it will definitely CHANGE a child’s life.
Donations can be sent to:
NNMSII, 507 Ashburne Glen Cr., Ovilla TX 75154
Give on-line: Donate Button
