Hands On! Equip Deaf youth to work in Zimbabwe

The sun is shining, the field is prepared and maize seed is planted.  Yesterday we heard thunder but it was a long way off. Now we are waiting for the rains to come. The 23 young deaf people at Nzeve youth project work in the garden every morning.  They learnt conservation farming methods and how to make compost.  Now with the help of a drip kit they can grow vegetables and maize.

After gardening one group of the youth learn sewing skills. The sewing group received orders for cloth masks and face visors which they made for sale.  The youth made a lot of visors as a donation to deaf children and their teachers when schools opened in November. 

Some of the youth have lessons with a carpentry lecturer. They are learning how to use machines and how to make joints. Some are running their own projects, buying and selling or making different items for sale. Graham got an order for a shoe rack. He worked hard to make it and the buyer got him a second order from a friend. Graham lives alone and is trying to be independent. The orders are helping him to pay his rent and buy food. Patty makes her own clothes and different headwear. She models these by wearing them when she walks to the centre. People sometimes stop her to ask her about the items she has made and give her orders.   All the youth have lessons in basic business skills, that help them to improve their income generating efforts.

This year brought many challenges, with reduced travel and stay at home orders, buying and selling activities were much more difficult. Nzeve is grateful to many different supporters, some of whom sent funds for food parcels, other gifts helped the youth training and projects. 

We are grateful to everyone who sent gifts this year, at a time when most people face challenges, we are so privileged to receive your support.