Whilst volunteering in Zimbabwe, I stayed with the most amazing host family, The Mangongo Family- The Mango’s as we lovingly call them.

Papa Mango and Mama Mango are two inspiring humans who work in a small NGO called Mwana Trust. The charity supports disadvantaged and orphaned children by paying their school fees so they can continue receiving access to education despite their circumstances. Their work goes beyond education in supporting and empowering child-headed families with livelihood programmes such as: gardening and poultry.

In a country where poverty is rife, it is often the most vulnerable that get affected the worst. Without Mwana Trust, several hundred children would not be able to go to school, and children who have lost their parents (high proportion due to HIV/AIDS) would be separated from their siblings to be looked after by different relatives (if they are lucky!)- If not, they would likely be on the streets.

Outside of my ICS placement, I was grateful to be able to work with this organisation in a small capacity. For the ‪#‎ZimChristmas‬ Appeal run by African Children’s Fund, I was able to join Mwana Trust in visiting some of the schools they support and film the students singing Christmas Carols for donors.

You can view the videos on this link.

Here is a collection of the happiest, most wide grinned and bright eyed children I have ever seen!

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