Refuge: Zimbabwe’s HOPE House
Donation protected
In 2005, Regina Chari spent her first Thanksgiving in Zimbabwe. Rather than the planned fancy holiday dinner in a restaurant, her team hosted a last-minute dinner for the children they had met who were living and working on the streets. As they sang, danced and laughed late into the night, each of the people around that dinner table knew they would never be the same. Regina never imagined that sixteen years later she would still be in Zimbabwe, having spent multiple Thanksgiving holidays in unexpected ways.
Regina, Nyasha, Ruth and Vivienne all play a part in Refuge, their work in Zimbabwe. If you have spent any time with the Chari family, you will have heard the words “hope and healing.” Refuge’s programs bring both to people who are hurting. The Charis spend much of their lives with people from all over Zimbabwe who directly serve children who have experienced trauma.
Refuge’s healing play programs have already trained over 275 people, and from February 2022 the Charis will continue expanding the work by training additional trainers, as well as piloting two new healing play programs to bring these vital tools to more people across Zimbabwe who serve vulnerable children. As Refuge’s work expands through 2022 and beyond, so does their need for increased office, training and therapy space.
A few weeks ago, the Charis listed one of their 2022 goals as fundraising for a property. Last week, the home they have been renting for several years was sold, and so they will need to move their home and workspace in February. As Regina and Nyasha have begun to search for a new rental home, an opportunity has unexpectedly come up for them to purchase a property which would meet Refuge’s unique and specific needs for office, training and therapy space.
The Charis need help to urgently raise $321,900 to buy this property, which will become Refuge: Zimbabwe’s HOPE House. It will provide the expanded space needed to train trainers and caregivers, grow the healing play programs, provide individual and group therapy, and provide a place of safety for children awaiting a forever family.
Regina, Nyasha, Ruth and Vivienne all play a part in Refuge, their work in Zimbabwe. If you have spent any time with the Chari family, you will have heard the words “hope and healing.” Refuge’s programs bring both to people who are hurting. The Charis spend much of their lives with people from all over Zimbabwe who directly serve children who have experienced trauma.
Refuge’s healing play programs have already trained over 275 people, and from February 2022 the Charis will continue expanding the work by training additional trainers, as well as piloting two new healing play programs to bring these vital tools to more people across Zimbabwe who serve vulnerable children. As Refuge’s work expands through 2022 and beyond, so does their need for increased office, training and therapy space.
A few weeks ago, the Charis listed one of their 2022 goals as fundraising for a property. Last week, the home they have been renting for several years was sold, and so they will need to move their home and workspace in February. As Regina and Nyasha have begun to search for a new rental home, an opportunity has unexpectedly come up for them to purchase a property which would meet Refuge’s unique and specific needs for office, training and therapy space.
The Charis need help to urgently raise $321,900 to buy this property, which will become Refuge: Zimbabwe’s HOPE House. It will provide the expanded space needed to train trainers and caregivers, grow the healing play programs, provide individual and group therapy, and provide a place of safety for children awaiting a forever family.
Will you partner with them to bring hope and healing to the communities they serve in Zimbabwe?
Organizer and beneficiary
Natalie Merritt
Organizer
Nashville, TN
Regina Chari
Beneficiary