With the help of donations Chenjerai was able to complete his A-Levels and subsequent studies. He grew up in a very poor family but stood out at school due to his remarkably good grades. Chenjerai studied history and geography and is now a teacher in Sabi Valley, one of Zimbabwe’s hottest regions. Despite his successful education ha can barely make ends meet with his salary. He is the father of 3 children. He too actively participates in our project, and is a member of the Private Voluntary Board. This Board allows us to be registered as a Non-Profit-Organisation and in turn import goods tax-free.
Loreen Mafute is a Montessori teacher and care taker, and work in a corresponding kindergarten in Mutare. We got to know her through her husband Andrew who has worked as a project coordinator of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe for many years. When the organisation withdrew from Zimbabwe in 2013, for political and economic reasons he lost his job. In September 2018 he died in a tragic car accident. Now Loreen is a single mom of two teenage girls. As there is no social security system she has care and provide her two girls alone. Yet she is always supportive of our Trust and is a member of the Private Volunteer Board, together with Chenjerai.
Peter is part of our team since the 80s and is member of the Extended Board of Bongai Shamwari. With the help of donations from Germany he was able to finish school and study afterwards. IN the 80s he was a student of Roland Zeller, the husband of our Chairman Christa Zeller, and stood out thanks to his good grades. Today he is a teacher for history and geography and lives at a Sabi Valley Secondary School on which he also teaches. Despite his education he is struggling to pay for the school fees of his children. He supports our work and wishes to give back in this way.
Vesta Dhibi, lovingly called Mai Dhibi, is the heart of Bongai Shamwari. Together with Christa Zeller she has build up the kindergarten. She is a relentless fighter, including much resistance against the government and its mission. Her captivating and energetic personality has not only shaped work at the kindergarten, but also left a mark on the many women whom we have guided on their way to becoming a child caretaker. Now in her 80s she is still full of life even though her body is no longer functioning the way she would wish.
The son of Vester Dhibi went to our kindergarten in Chikore in the 80s before completing his A-Levels thanks to German donations. Subsequently he became a technical assistant in the medical field. He now lives in Harare with his wife Hope and four children where he works at the blood bank of Parirenyatwa Hospital. His calm and analytical personality and his position as chairman of our Trust in Zimbabwe make him an important member of our team. He too wishes to give back via his volunteer work and support.
