news article
Beyond Borders: Watertown First UMC’s Mission of Hope in Zimbabwe
February 29, 2024 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In Zimbabwe, the life of a young boy named Edward Dingadade took a transformative turn, fueled by the kindness of a community thousands of miles away. This story, woven with threads of empathy and global unity, originates not directly from Edward, but from the compassionate individuals at the Watertown First United Methodist Church. Touched by the struggles faced by AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, they made a commitment to fund the education of one child, laying the groundwork for hope and change.
AIDS orphans, children who have lost their parents to the AIDS epidemic, find themselves navigating a world marred by loss, stigma, and uncertainty. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the impact of HIV/AIDS has been particularly devastating, these children embody a crisis that extends beyond the loss of family – into the realms of economic hardship and social isolation. The Ishe Anesu project in Mutare, which Edward became a part of, stands as a beacon of hope amidst this crisis. Initiated to provide after-school tutoring for these vulnerable children, the project represents a crucial intervention, offering not just educational support but also a pathway to healing and resilience.
Dr. Sylvia Reimer, a member of Watertown First UMC and a retired medical missionary, along with her husband, Marvin, also a retired physician, remember their first encounter with Edward. “Following an Upper New York Conference Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) journey to Zimbabwe in 2011, the United Methodist Women in the Watertown First UMC elected to support a third-grade boy, Edward Dingadade, whom some of us had met as we worked at Ishe Anesu project in Mutare,” Dr. Sylvia Reimer recounts. It was during that mission trip that exposed the members of the church to the realities faced by AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe. Inspired by the Ishe Anesu project, which translates to “God with us” in English, and led by Maria Humbane, a GBGM missionary, and continued by Nancy Chinzvende of the United Methodist Church of Zimbabwe, the community in Watertown pledged to support Edward’s educational aspirations.
With the support from the church, he was able to continue his education, overcoming the numerous obstacles that many orphans in Zimbabwe face. “The women at Watertown First UMC continued their support of Edward’s schooling, providing money for school fees, books, and uniforms for the next eleven years,” Dr. Reimer adds, highlighting the long-term commitment of the church members to Edward’s well-being and future.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted further missions to Zimbabwe, the church’s dedication to Edward’s success never wavered. As he approached the culmination of his college education, the church once again stepped in to ensure he could complete his studies in electrical engineering. “A few weeks ago, we received and responded to a request from Nancy to help Edward one more time, as he needed resources to pay expenses for his graduation from the college he had attended, as well as completion of an internship in electrical engineering!” Dr. Reimer joyfully shares.
Edward’s graduation marks a significant milestone, not only in his life but also in the lives of those who have supported him through his educational journey. From a young boy in the third grade to a college graduate in electrical engineering, Edward’s story is a powerful example of how compassion, coupled with action, can forge a path to a brighter future.
Dr. Reimer’s involvement and the collective effort of the Watertown First UMC underscore the profound impact of the missional outreach of the United Methodist faith. “Thanks be to God for the opportunity to make mission outreach matter!” Dr. Reimer exclaims, encapsulating the gratitude and fulfillment derived from this life-changing endeavor.