Zimpeto Widows' Home - Maputo, Mozambique

April 2008

In the book of James we read that "pure religion is to care for orphans and widows". Iris Ministries has cared for thousands of orphans over the past 10 years in Zimpeto. Apart from attending to widows who come to Iris clinics for food and medicines, there are many older ladies whose children have died and whose families and friends have abandoned caring for them. It is estimated that almost all of the old people in Mozambique who live in desperate conditions are women. Many are HIV positive themselves. Seemingly left behind by society, they live in desperate loneliness.

 [Some of our community widows. Meet Emilinda above and Eugenio below]

 We believe the time has come to build a home for the community widows. At this time plans are being drawn up and IMC purposes to fund this building project and continue providing support to cover ongoing needs and expenses. Iris Ministries hopes to complete this home in 2008. Initially the home will be built with 8 beds available, along with a bathroom and a room for a live-in caregiver.