Many Thanks to Crowthorne Community!

Largely because of the generosity of the Christian community in Crowthorne the Chidamoyo Trust has been able not only to pay the £4000 initially estimated to be the building costs for an AIDS Education and Counselling Centre, but we have also managed to come up with the extra £3500 needed for roofing materials because of the ever-escalating inflation in Zimbabwe. We have equipped the building with a high tech video projector so that it can be effectively used. The Centre, which will also serve as a chapel, should be officially opened in July 2004. It will be called “The Paul Graystone Centre” after a late parishioner from the Holy Ghost Church, who was very supportive of the charity in its early stages.

Our supporters also continue to sponsor 15 pupils through high school and the charity has contributed £1,200 towards Orphan Support, AIDS Home Care, Prevention of Maternal AIDS Transmission and the Support of Hospital Services so far this year.

On Sunday 3rd August Sr Kathy McCarty SRN, the matron of Chidamoyo addressed the Crowthorne Community at the Baptist Church. Despite the heat, the meeting was very well attended. There were over 60 people there and a most generous collection was taken. Sr Kathy gave a very interesting and illuminating presentation. It was good to see how our money is being spent and to know that every penny we sent was being used by people we can trust. Although she referred to many of the dreadful things happening in Zimbabwe, she spoke with warmth and a very good sense of humor. She always stressed the positive and witnessed to us how God’s love and hope shine through even the darkest times.