August 2011 Zimpeto Child Reintegration Program Update
"2011 has seen some significant changes in the reintegration team. We lost one of our team members when she left work, requiring us to find and train a new worker. Our driver of over five years has also recently moved on, and we have yet to appoint a new driver.
"The team works very well in uncovering the truth of the situations the children come from. Often times this requires that they make surprise visits to the house or that they interview neighbours or pastors of the church.
"It is a priority that we take in emergency cases but in so doing that, our attempt is to resolve the emergency as quickly as possible. This year we have attempted to avoid some admissions by building a house for a family who otherwise would be living in absolute poverty. At the same time, we continue to build for centre children to enable them to return to their families.
"We have a total of two builders working for us, usually working on two different houses at the same time. A normal house is built of cement blocks, a cement floor, has metal sheets for roofing, two windows, a door and has one bedroom and one small living room. There is no electricity and no running water, cooking is done outside, and the toilet and shower area are simply a bamboo shelter with no roof.
"To date this year we have built over ten houses for a mixture of community people and children being reintegrated with their families.
"The team make in excess of 25 visits a week of families to assess the needs of different families.
"We have reintegrated 44 children/youth and have received approximately 32 new children.
"Thank you for your support in prayer, communication and finances. You are making a difference in the lives of many who live in absolute poverty in Mozambique."
Below is a precious story of one of our very recent reintegrations.
Innacio's Story
"Adoption in Mozambique is difficult. To avoid confusion and illegal monetary payment it is preferable if the baby/child is abandoned or lost and has no close or extended family. Although there are many unwanted children, the families know where the children are and may become quite difficult when adoption is mentioned to them.
"A few months ago we received a tiny premature 1 month old abandoned baby boy. We did not know what gestation he was, weighing only1.6 kgs. on arrival. He had not gained any weight in his one month of life in the hospital, and presuming he was sick, was discharged into our care.
"Innacio did not appear to have any underlying illnesses and a HIV test was negative. In his first week with us he gained 300 grams and continued to gain the same amount at the same rate during each of the following weeks. Our recipe: love, prayer, warmth, food and protection. We knew a lovely Mozambican couple who had wanted to adopt for over 5 years, so we contacted them. They came and met Innacio and fell instantly in love with him. We requested that they wait a weeks while we fattened him up!
"Innacio was taken home by his new parents on July 11, 2011. He has continued to gain 500 grams of weight each week! He is smiling, chubby and totally loved. His mom and dad are complete in their hearts. What a delight to be a part of forming this family. Praise God, He lifts the poor out of the dust and seats them in heavenly places with princes."
[Oh, happy day!]