The Story of Pimai C Community
Pimai C Community is situated along the Mozambique border, where there is much unrest and violence. Cultural norms like early marriage and traditional healing are a few of the many challenges in Pimai C. Past seasons of drought have significantly increased people’s vulnerability, causing families to suffer from unemployment. In addition to these challenges, a lack of access to clean water coupled with the rising costs of food are pushing many people to the brink of starvation.
125 Children currently supported
12 Care Workers Coordinated by Moleen
Basic Services Started in 2016
25 km from the honde valley local Office
When Farai Gunhe, who grew up in the Pimai area, saw the huge need in his community, he, in 2008, formed the Pimai Christian Caring Trust Community Based Organisation (CBO) and mobilised a team of Care Workers, who had the vision to care for the orphaned and vulnerable children in their community. In 2009, Farai left Pimai Christian Caring Trust to form the local Hands at Work team in Mutare and then in 2017 transitioned from being the coordinator of the Mutare team to the leader of the Hands at Work Regional Support Team in Zimbabwe.
A local lady, Jane, became the coordinator of the Pimai Christian Caring Trust CBO and helped the CBO grow and because of the need, split into three separate CBOs: Pimai A, B and C. In each of these areas a group of new Care Workers were mobilised to care for the most vulnerable children in their community. In 2017, Jane left Pimai Christian Caring Trust CBO to form the new local Hands at Work team in the Honde Valley, alongside John, another former Care Worker.
Dedicated Care Worker Moleen has taken ownership for the day-to-day responsibilities of running the Pimai C CBO as coordinator. It is through this group of Care Workers that the children are lovingly cared for.
Over the years, the Care Workers from the Pimai C CBO have been learning and growing in their understanding of what it means to serve the most vulnerable. In 2018, there was a ‘Maranatha Workshop’ for the Care Workers, Primary Caregivers and children, with the purpose of sharing the truth of who Jesus is and can be in their lives.
In 2020, the Pimai C Care Point moved from the house that they were using on a health clinic’s property, to their own land – a massive encouragement to the children and Care Workers. In 2023, the cooking shelter was completed, giving the Care Workers their own place where they can cook, meet together and be protected from the weather.
Meet Susan
Local Care Worker Tafadzwa found Susan* in 2017, sitting at home crying about her hunger. Tafadzwa spent time with the family and, after hearing their story, knew that she was among the most vulnerable. Susan lives with her mother, Violet*, five siblings and several other relatives. Her father left the family in 2006 and remarried. The large family lives in a one-roomed house, with the responsibility of providing for the children left to Violet. Unable to find consistent work, Violet relies on finding odd jobs in the community and doing a small amount of farming, but this is rarely sufficient. Thankfully, Susan and her family are no longer alone in their challenges. Tafadzwa shares, “The relationship between me and Susan is very good. I visit her regularly and help her in the garden. I always do my best to assist her and her siblings with the little I have because their family is poor.”
The local Hands at Work team in the Honde Valley currently supports six Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Pimai C. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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