In 2009 we ran an appeal for famine relief in Zimbabwe. The response was overwhelming. Many lives were changed through the work
Earlier in March this year, Tim Barrow (ROSA Director) wrote: 'I’m writing concerning the continuation of the severe drought and failed harvest, in Zimbabwe. It is very apparent that food shortages will prevail through much of the country. Once again it will be the vulnerable who are most seriously affected. The Zimbabwe famine story is all over Sky News today. SIM is targeting the exact priorities mentioned by the Red Cross (i.e. the vulnerable – the old, young and sick) but from a holistic Christian perspective caring for the spiritual and the physical.'
Thanks to the many who gave so generously last year, the 
project ran very successfully and has been an excellent example of truly holistic ministry, reaching out to human need while bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus, and building upon local Church volunteers for capacity. This year the need is every bit as acute, if not more so!
The project will continue to distribute food to the vulnerable populations in five church districts of South Eastern Zimbabwe. The need to continue has arisen because of the imminent crop failure due to drought. Crops are already wilting. The last good rains fell in November 2009 and since then rains have been sporadic and we are approaching the peak of the growing season. We would like to continue helping the sick, elderly, orphaned children, and people on anti retroviral drugs (ARVs) with an immune enhancing porridge called SEJO, and an energy giving local drink called Mahewu. The people on ARVs and other sick people are depending on these two food products in order to keep taking their medicines, because they have not been able to make any good harvests. Food production is still low in Zimbabwe, and the country depends on imported food which the targeted population cannot afford to buy.
Objectives
1. To supply SEJO porridge and Mahewu drink to the targeted population once every two months.
2. To build capacity for the households to produce their own food.
3. To encourage and strengthen the people in worshipping God by holding devotions with them at each distribution event
This will involve
1. Importing 1600 boxes of SEJO from South Africa and distributing to the beneficiaries every two months
2. Ordering and distributing 30 tonnes of Mahewu drink (locally) every two months
3. Ordering and distributing 5 tonnes of fertiliser and 5 tonnes of maize seed (locally) for distribution to beneficiaries once a year and at the beginning of the rain season
Expected results
1. More people wanting to worship God through the ministry of this project as evidenced by increased membership in churches and the testimonies made by beneficiaries.
2. Reduced malnutrition among children evidenced by less numbers of children suffering from Kwashiorkor- an acute form of infant malnutrition.
3. Sick people recovering faster as they combine good nutrition with medicines.
4. People who are HIV postive being able to take ARVs and living healthier and longer lives.
5. Healthy elderly people evidenced by them being able to contribute in family and community activities
BBC Four in early March showed a documentary called Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children, you can see clips and read about this documentary on the BBC website.
