Loving Lizzy's Orphanage

This past summer I spent 3 weeks travelling through Zimbabwe on a service trip. One of our projects was at an orphanage in the Makoba district in Gweru. The orphanage is home to 14 children between the ages of 3 and 16. This remarkable place is run by two amazing women from the community, who have chosen to help these kids and live with them full time in lieu of having their own families. Witnessing first hand what they sacrifice for these children was incredibly inspiring. The building is cement (including the floors) and extremely cold, there are barely enough beds for each child, and because electricity is so expensive, they don’t use a stove, but cook outside over a fire. “Lizzy” is the woman who started the orphanage. She began doing this 12 years ago when two small boys showed up at her door. When asked why they were there, they said they were told to go to the black gate where a woman would take care of them. Lizzy took them in and soon after two more children arrived. This became a pattern until Lizzy had a total of 14 children under her care. She has made it her life's work to care for each and every one of these children as her own.  Lizzy is an incredible woman.

I spent my day there with a 3-year-old boy named Adonai. I quickly formed a bond with him in the short time we had together.  He was unwell so I spent most of my time holding and comforting him. Having to say goodbye to Adonai was one of the most emotionally challenging experiences of my life. Our connection stayed with me far after our trip ended and I felt like I needed to do more for him. I spent the rest of my summer raising money for him to attend school this year and I made a promise to myself that I would carry this forward for as long as I am able.My main goal is to provide Adonai with another year of schooling. However, I would also love to be able to support Lizzy and the other 13 children she is looking after in whatever way possible.
At the moment these children are lacking the everyday things that we take for granted and often fail to appreciate. Things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, utensils, bowls, plates, clothing, blankets for warmth, board games, bikes for transportation, and other basics.


Lizzy has devoted her entire life to these children in hopes to give them a brighter future with almost no one supporting her. Your contributions will be helping to provide these children with a better quality of life and basic necessities that we take for granted.  Although it may seem small to us, it will make a world of a difference to them. Any donation to this cause will go directly to Lizzy, Adonai and all of the children living with her. 

Thank you for your support.