In September the Missions Committee voted to donate $500 to Friends of PKZ, the U.S.-based nonprofit branch of Project Kuchengetedza Zviwanikwa (PKZ). PKZ provides humanitarian aid to communities in Zimbabwe. Their work includes increasing access to food and clean water; sponsoring primary, secondary and vocational school students by providing school fees, supplies and uniforms; coordinating the distribution of clothing, tools and medical supplies shipped from the US; and special projects including building a medical clinic, homes for needy families and an EDC center to provide local education to young children.

PKZ’s initiatives are carried out in partnership with village leaders, school headmasters, medical personnel and community members. As they note on their website, “Each and every gift brings dignity and hope.”

PKZ came to the attention of the Missions Committee due to the sister-church relationship between the Rufumiso United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe and the Frist Congregational Church in Wakefield, NH (CCW). We were inspired by the work being done by the CCW’s mission service groups who have traveled to Zimbabwe at least six times since 2005 building cross-cultural relationships and actively participating in many PKZ initiatives, renovating the Rufumiso church building and constructing a parsonage.

Gail Elliott