It takes a village

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
OLD FRIENDS — Rev. Grace Mercy Mazhandu, left, is greeted by Eileen McLaughlin at the Houlton United Methodist Church where they reconnected for discussions about the desperate situation of some 300,000 homeless Zimbabwean children orphaned by the AIDS/HIV epidemic.
Area residents answer call  for help
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The desperate plight of some 300,000 homeless Zimbabwean orphans whose parents have died of HIV and AIDS is hitting home with local residents who want to lend a hand. United Methodist Church members here may help transform a heartbreaking narrative of suffering into a triumphant tale of human resolve and perseverance.
    Some Houlton residents, along with other concerned Americans, are throwing their support behind a promising effort to turn around the lives of destitute children living on the fringe of subsistence in a nation where the economy has collapsed.  
    Rev. Naomi Sam-Kpakra, pastor of the Houlton United Methodist Church, will leave for Zimbabwe July 1 for three weeks to assist Rev. Grace Mercy Mazhandu, pastor of the Corinna United Methodist Church as they embark on what may be a life-altering ministry for both.
    Rev. Mazhandu, originally from Zimbabwe, has a vision to build a village with multiple homes for children who currently live by their wits on the streets where many, if not most, are being abused. She has a head start with a donation of 100 acres of land and an existing home on that property in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Her ministry is called WE C.A.R.E. Village for HIV/AIDS Orphans in Zimbabwe. She comes from a family in the British Methodist Church where her father was a pastor.
    Eileen McLaughlin of Houlton is a registered nurse who reconnected recently with Rev. Grace, as many refer to the pastor. Last Friday, McLaughlin repeated her desire to go to Zimbabwe with her own children. “My daughter has done research about the country.” McLaughlin added that her nursing skills would be very useful and she may want to stay there. She and her daughter also attended a question-and-answer session with Rev. Grace and others at the Methodist Church in Houlton. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FRIENDS — Pastor Naomi Sam-Kpakra, left, invited residents to the Houlton United Methodist Church, to learn of a new ministry to care for homeless Zimbabwean orphans. With her, from left, are Lori Stiles, Rev. Grace Mercy Mazhandu who is starting the project, Gayle Boehler, Pam Crawford, Eileen McLaughlin, Sandi Petro and Kelly McLaughlin.
    Rev. Sam-Kpakra said the orphans are very vulnerable. Although some grandmothers have taken in their grandchildren and one orphanage houses about 6,000 orphans, the vast majority are fending for themselves. Tears started to fill Rev. Sam-Kpakra’s eyes and she choked up as she described the abuse homeless children face in the capital city in the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
    “The children are pretty much on the street and do what they can to get sustenance. So, they are vulnerable. They’ve been seriously abused as they have been trying to fend for themselves. We are addressing a lot of trauma and distress and hopelessness in these children,” said Rev. Sam-Kpakra.  
    After the question-and-answer session in Houlton, Rev. Grace said: “I really believe that I have friends who are interested in children and I am not alone. This makes me feel very good.”
    The following Sunday, Evelyn Goding of Houlton heard about the situation during the church service. Goding is a mother and former foster parent who said she really understood the problem of children without families. “I think it would be wonderful to take care of those who are left without and don’t have,” said Goding. As far as a response from Houlton and Maine, she said “there always was a response to needy children who need care and love. They gave us a slip of paper we could send in to the church in Corinna with a donation.”
    Lori Stiles, a Houlton resident, who was present for both presentations said she “loved it. It was really nice. And I’m glad that Grace was here to visit.”
    Support of the ministry has been growing. One relief agency is supplying pre-packaged dried vegetables and rice. However, most food items and seeds for food, clothes, shoes, toiletries for hygiene, utensils, linens, salt, sugar, spices, educational materials, and household items are still needed. Rev. Grace described the climate at various times of the year as generally warm during the day and cool to cold at night.
    Supporters have pledged to pay for shipping from the U.S. to Zimbabwe. Rev. Grace said she welcomes “gently used items for the village along with clothes for children of all ages. They are thin, now. But, they won’t stay that way.” Rev. Naomi added: “If you can use it, they can use it. If you cannot use it, they cannot use it.”
    For more information, contact: Corinna United Methodist Church, 278-5000 or 278-3251; Houlton United Methodist Church, 532-3332.