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Field Report, April 2010 by Nancy Clark, Zienzele Foundation President
One of the purposes of our visit to the WFO was to identify for them many communities in the rural areas of the Masvingo district that were in need of their assistance. After discussions about Zienzele and what we do, we were asked to provide paper work further detailing our operations. Accordingly, we provided our brochure and brief organizational details. Our plan is to follow up with more documentation and contact the WFO prior to the next field effort to push for more cooperation in providing food assistance. The purpose of our meeting with the Chivi school district officers was to check in on some of the fee and procedural changes that had been reported to us by our local representatives. During this meeting we were distressed to learn that school fees, which had been five dollars, were to be doubled throughout the district, a sum far beyond the means of the families in the rural villages we serve. After a great deal of negotiating we were able to have the fees for Zienzele children frozen at the original rate of five dollars. Health Assessments and Check-in The first two weeks of April were devoted to conducting health assessments of the Zienzele children as well as a “check in” to establish the changing needs of the individuals in the child-headed households. The health assessments measured the children’s height, weight, blood pressure, and arm circumference, all of which are good indicators of the nutritional health of the children. Our intent is to continue monitoring these parameters over time and continue building a health-tracking database. The children were also asked about their circumstances at home, what they had been eating, and whether or not family members were ill or absent. We likewise began to assess the family’s needs for food, clothing, shoes, school materials, etc. This gave us a great opportunity to spend some time with the children on a one-on-one basis, and hear directly from the kids about their daily lives and to further identify critical needs. At the end of week two, Prisca and I returned to Harare to pick up my daughter Katy and my husband Jim, who were fatigued from their long journey but eager to get to work. We returned to Masvingo the same day. Meeting with representatives and basket groups
Following this caregiver group update, we began sorting and purchasing the baskets made by the caregivers. (photo, above) Since all purchases are now made with US dollars this process is much smoother and more financially stable relative to previous years. These meetings always end with a bit of entertainment from the caregivers and children, followed by the sharing of a midday meal. This is always especially poignant for us given the scarcity of food, the very offer of which marking the depth of the communities’ hospitality and warmth. On a good day we can visit two schools and visit with most of the Zienzele kids at each location. Most important is to meet with any new child-headed households identified by the school headmaster. This usually entails meeting one or more of the family members and visiting their home, where we can make an assessment of their circumstances and the priority of their needs. As always, this means making certain the kids know that school fees have been paid, distributing school supplies, passing out donated clothing and distributing food. In addition to the food, each child-headed household received vegetable oil, soap, Vaseline, and “mealy meal”, which is used to make porridge. All these essentials are made possible through the generosity of our Zienzele donors in America and around the world. Classroom Painting Project
Drama Workshops As mentioned, our daughter Katy, who is completing her graduate degree in Educational Theatre at NYU, traveled with us this year to implement drama workshops incorporating themes surrounding HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, as well as the issues and stigmas associated with children who have lost one or both parents to the disease. Each workshop began with a physical warm-up and a silly ice-breaker to get everyone loosened up and ready to play. What followed were a progression of activities based in movement and physical expression centered on themes created by the children themselves. The workshops were well attended, far beyond our expectations; indeed, more than twice the forty children we had anticipated showed up on the first day, many of them walking more than seven miles to attend. Before we left, Katy had led more than 300 Zienzele kids through her workshop, many making new friends who could relate to their experiences. (photo, below: a warm-up called "Carrying the Sun")
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Prisca and I arrived in Masvingo during the first week of April amid heavy rains. For three days, we found our van was unable to travel across most of the flooded bridges leading to many of the remote villages we serve. As a result, we quickly realized that our schedule, planned months in advance, would require significant changes. Health assessments (photo, left) had to be delayed. We contacted Zienzele representatives and rearranged group meetings and school visits. Though hectic at first, we were able to make the adjustments and were back on schedule by the end of week two; in the meantime, we made use of the delay to connect with the World Food Organization (WFO) as well as the Chivi School District.
An essential aspect of our field work is to meet with all the caregiver groups and their corresponding representatives. This is always a great opportunity to hear what all the groups are doing and to get a more in-depth feel for what is working and what needs to be addressed. Issues raised can range from the illness of a caregiver to kids that have moved away or kids that were not allowed to attend school. Though casual, these interactions can be crucial in identifying small issues that might otherwise become major problems if not addressed. 
Jim spent his two weeks painting eleven first-grade classrooms. In the spirit of self-reliance that is so central to Zienzele’s mission, each community was asked to provide a “paint team” of six to eight men willing to volunteer their time, and we were not disappointed with the turnout. Jim and Prince had a great time, as did the teams of devoted community members. (photo, right) 
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