User:Kgduke

The Nyadire Connection

The Nyadire Connection (TNC) is a faith-based non-profit organization that partners with Nyadire United Methodist Mission in northeastern Zimbabwe.

TNC follows the concept of "chabadza" - a Shona word indicating a passerby stopping to help someone already working. TNC recognizes the monumental work already done by those at Nyadire and seeks to assist them in attaining excellent care for the local community in primary and secondary education, higher education, health care, and orphan care.

TNC was formed after a group of eighteen traveled to Zimbabwe on a volunteer trip. Upon their return they formed The Nyadire Connection to 1) organize continuing assistance to Nyadire, 2) continue to develop relationships with thosee at Nyadire, and 3) enable US citizens to learn from people in Zimbabwe.

Focused on relationships, TNC seeks to connect schools to schools, teachers to teachers, nurse to nurse.

Nyadire United Methodist Mission

Nyadire Mission provides a hospital, primary and secondary schools, an orphanage, and many other services to the surrounding rural community. Also present on the campus are a Teachers Training College, a Nursing School, a cooperative farm, a preschool and a United Methodist Church.

History

In 2001 members of Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, PA (www.christumc.net) explored several hospitals in Zimbabwe in order to choose one to support under the Hospital Revitalization Program of the General Board of Global Ministry (GBGM).

2002 Members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Allison Park, PA (www.stpaulsumc.com) began, independently, to support nurses from Nyadire pursuing their bachelor degrees.

2003

2004

2006 Eighteen Pittsburghers traveled to Nyadire on a three week volunteer trip. During the trip the team partitioned a large room into dorm rooms, assisted at the hospital, and ran a Vacation Bible School.

TNC was founded upon their return to the US

2007

2008

2009 The Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to establish a partnership with the two annual conferences in Zimbabwe based on the model and success of The Nyadire Connection.

Current Projects

The Nyadire Connection currently has seven major projects:

1. Home of Hope Orphanage (HOH)
The Home of Hope houses nearly twenty-five orphans on Nyadire Mission. The children are cared for by Mothers and Aunties who are paid to ensure that the children receive proper education, medical care, nutrition, supervision, and parental guidance. The Home of Hope is supported by sponsorships in which individuals are connected with a specific orphan. The sponsors donate $30 per month toward the care of the orphan. In return, sponsors are able to communicate with the child, visit Nyadire to meet the child, or send small gifts and letters to the children.

2. Home of Hope Outreach (HOHO)
Nearly 1 in 4 children in Zimbabwe is orphaned. Many orphans live with extended family, friends, or caring neighbors instead of in orphanages. If an orphan is 14 or more years old, they become the head of their household and raise their younger siblings. Such families need additional assistance to ensure that the children remain in school. The HOHO program connects individuals or groups with a specific orphan not living in an orphanage. The sponsors donate a backpack full of school supplies and $60 per year which provides tuition.

3. Provision of Pharmaceuticals
The hospital at Nyadire Mission had very few pharmaceuticals until the formation of TNC which prioritized the provision of medications to the mission. With TNC's financial support, the doctor at Nyadire Hospital can place an order with a parmaceutical company two or three times per year.

4. Water Project

5. Pastor Support Program
Twenty-nine United Methodist pastors serve churches in the District surrounding Nyadire Mission. Sponsors provide a donation of $20 per month that is distributed to each pastor at their monthly meetings. The sponsors are able and encouraged to communicate with their pastor. The financial support over and above their regular salaries enables pastors to provide more variety of food for their families, to visit outlying areas more easily, and to travel between their multiple churches by bus rather than by foot.

Another component of the program provides bicycles refurbished by Free Ride! to each pastor. Pastors are able to fulfill their duties much more easily with a bicycle as most do not have cars.

6. Maintainance of a Doctor at the Hospital

7. Container Shipments of Donations

External Links

Articles
Kids Aid African Orphans
Local Organization Connects Pittsburgh to Zimbabwe
Chartiers Valley High School Students Travels to Zimbabwe
Connecting Kids to African Orphans
Kids Send Backpacks to Zimbabwean Orphans
Brother's Brother Foundation Works with The Nyadire Connection
Pastor Plans to Return to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean Newsletter Highlights The Nyadire Connection
RN Volunteers in Zimbabwe Hospital
The Nyadire Connection Representatives Part of Celebrity Speakers Series
Kids Prepare School Kits for Orphans in Zimbabwe