From  the  Chair’s  Desk:        I  am  writing  to  you  from  Columbia,  SC,  one  of  the  hottest  places  on  the  planet  and  my  hometown.  Often  I  think  of  our  Fairfield  children,  as  they  are  entering  their  winter  and  will  be  in  school  through  July,  only  to  begin  again  in  September,  thanks  to  your  sponsorships.  What  an  intellectual  world  you  open  up  to  them  through  the  gift  of  their  uninterrupted,  year-­‐round  schooling!    Undoubtedly,  not  all  Zimbabwean  children  are  so  lucky.      

Recently,  we  have  had  some  Fairfield  children  reunite  with  one  of  their  family  members;  what  an  exciting  day  this  is  each  time  it  happens.    If  your  sponsored  child  was  reunited,  you  have  received  a  letter  detailing  your  chance  to  choose  another  Fairfield  child  to  sponsor  from  our  website,  www.fosakids.org,  or  possibly  to  move  your  sponsorship  with  the  child  to  Project  HOPE,  managed  by  missionary  Janine  Roberts;  see  her  blog  at  www.hopeofzim.blogspot.com.    Both  are  great  choices  and  we  want  to  thank  you  in  advance  for  letting  us  know  your  wishes  as  a  sponsor.  Fairfield  Children’s  Homes,  FOSA  and  Project  HOPE  work  closely  together  every  day.    If  there  were  more  reunifications  in  the  future,    Project  HOPE  will  try  to  provide  additional  support  through  school  fees,  supplies,  etc,  whenever  possible,  advisable  or  needed;  each  case  will  be  handled  individually  and  the  sponsor  will  be  notified  of  his  or  her  options.    

We  are  celebrating  Nyarai,  our  oldest  Fairfield  young  person,  who  has  enrolled  in  a  Mutare  fashion  program  with  a  good  chance  for  a  great  job  when  she  graduates.    She  will  be  19  years  old  in  August  and  is  setting  a  super  example  for  our

Fambai Zvkakanaka (Travel Well) FOSA Newsletter

Summer 2011

Website: www.fosakids.org * Email: fosakids80@gmail.com

younger  children.  Also  her  situation  reminds  us  that  we  need  to  be  preparing  for  all  of  our  FCH  kids  to  turn  18  years  old  and  go  on  to  school  or  an  apprenticeship  or  some  other  option,  where  he  or  she  is  able  make  a  living  in  Zimbabwe.    For  each  child,  one  by  one,  this  scenario  is  different  and  exciting.  Our  board  met  in  St.  Louis  on  July  8-­‐10,  2011  and  this  matter  continued  to  be  on  the  agenda  for  the  board  and  especially  for  the  “Love  them  for  a  lifetime”  committee.    

Truly,  your  prayers  as  sponsors  are  powerful  in  the  well-­‐being  of  the  FCH  children  and  staff.  The  US  dollar  is  still  being  used  as  the  Zimbabwean  currency,  though  it  does  not  buy  much;  in  particular,  school  fees  have  risen  greatly.    Know  that  we  are  always  so  thankful  for  your  monetary  and  your  prayerful  support.    

Francie Markham: FOSA Chairperson

Please note: We have a new email address

fosakids80@gmail.com

As  the  sun  rises  over  the  mountains,  the  day  begins  at  Fair5ield  Children’s  Homes.    The  mothers  get  up  5irst  and  commence  the  preparations  for  the  day:  washing,  cooking  breakfast  and  cleaning.    The  children  gradually  wake  up  and  tend  to  their  chores  as  they  prepare  for  school.  As  the  children  get  older,  each  begins  to  share  in  the  responsibilities  of  the  house.  The  assigned  tasks  for  the  day  include  sweeping,  mopping,  dishes,  cooking,  and  washing,  among  others.    Once  the  chores  are  complete  and  the  beds  are  made,  the  children  head  off  to  school.      

Children  in  Grade  0  and  higher  head  down  the  road  to  Hartzell  where  they  attend  primary  and  secondary  school.    The  younger  children  wait  with  their  mothers  to  go  to  morning  devotions.    Each  weekday  morning,  the  mothers,  aunties,  workers  and  administrative  staff  gather  in  the  conference  hut,  which  is  located  in  the  middle  of  all  the  homes.    They  take  this  time  to  share  in  morning  devotions,  each  taking  a  turn  leading  the  morning  gathering.    On  Wednesday  mornings  they  are  joined  by  the  mission  chaplain.    When  all  together,  they  will  make  announcements  about  the  homes  and  share  in  song  and  prayer.    The  young  children  come  to  the  service  and  join  in  the  singing,  clapping  and  praise.    When  devotions  are  over,  the  crèche,  or  preschool,  children  quickly  head  off  to  the  playground  for  the  start  of  crèche.  The  mothers  then  head  back  to  their  homes,  some  

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 to  5inish  the  morning  work,  others  to  relax,  as  their  children  are  away  at  school.  

Tea  break  is  a  daily  ritual  in  Zimbabwe.    Around  10:00  in  the  morning,  you  will  see  some  of  the  children  leaving  crèche  to  head  home  to  get  their  milk  and  bread.    The  crèche  is  located  in  one  of  the  smaller  homes  on  the  grounds  of  the  Fair5ield.    Once  they  have  checked  in  at  home,  they  will  walk  back  to  crèche  with  their  milk  and  bread.    It  will  take  the  small  ones  a  little  longer  to  get  back  as  they  stop  along  the  way  to  enjoy  their  snack.    While  they  are  walking  back,  they  will  often  pass  their  siblings  who  are  on  their  way  home  for  break  as  well.    If  you  sit  with  the  mothers  in  their  homes  at  this  time  of  day,  you  will  see  them  slowly  begin  the  lunch  preparations,  as  they  greet  their  children  coming  home  for  tea.    

As  the  sun  sits  high  in  the  sky  and  cool  wind  blows,  the  children  begin  the  walk  home  after  school.    Coming  in  waves,  you  see  the  younger  ones  5irst,  Grade  0  through  Grade  3  or  4,  heading  home  to  change  out  of  their  uniforms,  do  their  homework,  chores  (including  washing  their  uniform  for  the  next  day)  and  eventually  getting  a  chance  to  play.    On  some  days,  a  group  of  children  will  be  sent  to  the  grinding  mill  to  have  the  maize  (corn)  ground  into  mealie  meal,  which  is  then  used  to  make  sadza  (the  staple  food  of  Zimbabwe).    The  older  children  in  the  group  will  start  with  the  bags  of  maize  on  their  heads,  as  the  smaller  ones  come  along  for  the  adventure.    As  they  get  about  half  way  through  the  walk,  they  take  a  break  and  switch  who  is  carrying  the  maize.    Once  they  get  to  the  grinding  mill,  which  is  about  a  15  minute  walk  from  the  homes,  the  kids  all  wait  outside,  as  the  maize  is  sent  through  the  mill.    Once  each  of  the  bags  has  been  ground,  they  5igure  out  who  is  going  to  begin  the  walk  home  with  the  bag  on  their  head,  stopping  again  midway  through  to  switch  who  is  carrying  the  bags.    You  can  always  tell  which  kids  have  taken  a  turn  carrying  the  bags,  as  they  have  white  dust  on  their  heads  from  the  mealie  meal  powder..  

A Day in the Life of Fairfield Children’s Homes…

3

On  the  walk  home,  you  pass  the  courts  at  Hartzell,  where  you  will  see  the  older  children  participating  in  sports,  with  basketball  and  volleyball  being  popular  choices.    They  can  choose  the  sport  they  would  like  to  play  and  many  of  the  Fair5ield  children  like  to  play  5ield  hockey.    Organized  school  sports  happen  only  a  few  days  a  week.    On  the  other  days,  you  will  see  the  older  children  trickling  back  to  the  homes  after  school.    Some  of  the  older  children  stay  after  school  to  study;  some  come  home  for  lunch  and  head  back  to  school  for  sports,  of5icially  or  unof5icially.    Those  who  choose  to  stay  around  the  home  can  be  seen  helping  around  the  house  and  caring  for  their  younger  siblings.      

Before  the  day  is  done  and  everyone  heads  inside  for  dinner,  groups  of  children  usually  gather  around  the  homes.    Some  playing  soccer,  others  a  version  of  dodge  ball,  some  will  be  sitting  on  the  verandas  of  one  of  the  home  singing  and  husking  maize.    The  community  environment  that  was  once  imagined  for  the  homes  has  been  achieved.    As  the  sun  sets  everyone  heads  for  their  house  and  the  Grade  7  students  head  to  the  conference  hut  where  they  will  study  for  a  few  hours  before  going  to  bed.    The  high  school  entrance  exams  are  several  months  away  but  getting  closer  all  the  time,  and  the  whole  community  supports  this  extra  time  of  preparation.    

And  in  just  a  few  hours,  the  sun  will  rise  again  over  the  mountains,  and  a  new  day  begins,  full  of  hope  for  all  that  this  new  day  will  bring.    

Welcome Home … Below are some of our newest arrivals who have been welcomed to Fairfield Children’s Homes. These children have begun the integration into their homes and have been welcomed warmly by their families. As new children arrive at their Fairfield home, we look for new sponsors to join us in supporting these kids. For more information please email us or visit our website.

Shamiso arrived home at her Fairfield home in March of this year. She has made great improvements since she arrived and is described by her siblings as being a happy baby.

Website: www.fosakids.org * Email: fosakids80@gmail.com

Brenda has been with her Fairfield family for a few months. As she is getting to know the ropes and settling into her new home, she is loved by her mother, Lydia and can be seen quietly learning her way in the Fairfield community.

Simbarashe, or Wonder as he is known by his family, has been at Fairfield since March 2011. He is learning to walk with the help of his brothers and sisters and enjoys his morning porridge.

Fairfield Outreach and Sponsors Association 5500 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208