WE BELIEVE IN CHANGE
Mind the Gap – Africa has been operating in Zimbabwe since 2006. The aim of Mind the Gap is twofold. Firstly, to have a residential setting where we can provide loving homes for children who have been orphaned, abandoned or are vulnerable in some way.
Secondly, to be involved in the community to see where we can help supporting children in need.
THE HARVEST FAMILY VILLAGE
Harvest Family Village is our residential project which is set just outside of Bulawayo in a semi urban community. We have a 20-acre piece of land which we bought in 2012 to turn into a children’s Village. After renovations on the original farmhouse, we were able to move our children out there in 2014 and begin to develop the land. We have since build two more six bedroomed homes so now have three functioning homes. We have 23 children under our care and are looking to build more homes.
THE MIND THE GAP AFRICA WAY…
Doing our project this way means we can benefit from having everyone in one area which helps keep the expense down but having the small family sized homes means the children get the love and attention they so desperately need.
Our aim is that when the youngsters leave us, they will be independent and self-sufficient young people with all the necessary life skills and a basic knowledge of farming. We need to empower them to have a strong work ethic and become productive members in the community.
THE LAND
On the land we have developed a market garden which includes a huge polytunnel greenhouse and a small orchard. We are able to produce most of the vegetables and all of the maize for the needs of the village and have excess to both give to those in need in our local community and sell some to cover our expenses.
THE ANIMALS
We also have a variety of animals including pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens and fish. These primarily are for consumption but have become a key part of the therapeutic life for the children. So much so that we had to give over a section for the children to keep pigs as pets as they refused to eat the ones they had named!!
A HOME
We are just about to open our halfway home for our 18 to 21 year olds in town to help them transition into adulthood and independent living. Here they will have a Matron on site but will take full responsibility for budgeting, cooking and cleaning etc to ensure they are able to look after themselves.
