Seeing Transformation Firsthand: World Vision Partners Visit Life-Changing Projects in Mbire and Lupane

Ronald Magweta

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Communities in Mbire and Lupane districts recently welcomed visitors from World Vision US and the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, USA, during a Vision Trip that showcased the transformative impact of World Vision Zimbabwe's work.

The visit offered the delegation an opportunity to experience World Vision's integrated approach to development—meeting sponsored children and families in Mbire District through the Child Sponsorship Programme, while also learning about water, health and livelihoods interventions in Lupane District that are improving the lives of vulnerable children and communities.

Witnessing the Impact of Child Sponsorship in Mbire

In Mbire District, the sponsors met the children they support through World Vision's Child Sponsorship Programme and spent time with their families, gaining a deeper understanding of their daily lives, aspirations and the positive changes taking place within their communities.

The visit also provided an opportunity to witness the broader impact of sponsorship on schools and community development initiatives that are creating lasting change for children.

*Members of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hall Jane (far right) and Hillary (black cap) spent time with their sponsored child Panashe and his family in Mbire*

For Melody Manyimo, Area Programme Manager for Mbire, the partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole has been instrumental in improving children's lives.

"I really appreciate the support that we have been getting from the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole through Sponsorship," she said.

"There has been remarkable change in the lives of the sponsored children, their communities and their schools."

The visit reinforced the value of child sponsorship, demonstrating how long-term partnerships extend beyond individual children to strengthen families, schools and entire communities.

Restoring Healthcare Through Access to Water

While in Menyezwa, Lupane District, the delegation visited Madlankunzi Clinic, where they witnessed the impact of World Vision Zimbabwe's efforts to restore access to clean and reliable water at the health facility.

Before the intervention, the clinic operated under extremely difficult conditions due to prolonged water shortages, affecting both healthcare workers and patients.

"On behalf of the clinic, I really want to thank World Vision for the support that they rendered to us," said Sister Gumbo, a nurse at Madlankunzi Clinic.

"The struggle to get water really affected our work here at the clinic because we would spend almost six hours trying to get water to use at the clinic as well as for personal use."

*Madlankunzi staff members and Presbyterian Church members touring the health facility*

The shortage became so severe that patients were sometimes asked to bring water from home, while community members transported water to the clinic using scotch carts.

"At some point we would ask patients to bring water so that we would add it to what we had, and villagers would assist by carrying water with their scotch carts. Eventually, this became a burden on them," she explained.

The lack of water also compromised infection prevention measures.

"Our work was also affected because our hygiene was compromised. Even water to wash our hands before treating patients was limited."

Today, those challenges are a thing of the past.

"Now it is a thing of the past because of World Vision and their partners, who made sure that we have water at the clinic."

The impact has been remarkable.

*World Vision also supported the health facility with ablution facilities for both patients and staff members*

Before access to water was restored, the clinic recorded only eight facility-based deliveries compared to 11 home deliveries over a six-month period. Following the intervention, the number of mothers delivering safely at the clinic increased to 33, while home deliveries dropped to seven, with most occurring because mothers could not reach the clinic due to transport challenges.

The renewed confidence in the clinic has also inspired community ownership. Residents came together to construct a shaded waiting area where patients can comfortably sit before receiving treatment.

Beyond Access: Water That Transforms Communities

The delegation also visited the Bimba Community Water Project, implemented under World Vision Zimbabwe's Beyond Access Project, to witness how reliable access to water is driving broader community transformation.

The project supplies clean and safe water to several communities, significantly reducing the burden on women and children who previously travelled long distances to collect water.

*Before World Vision intervention, the Bimba community used to fetch water from a spring and they used the water for all household activities including drinking*

Reliable water access has also supported the establishment of a thriving community garden, where fresh vegetables are improving household nutrition while creating opportunities for income generation and strengthening local livelihoods.

Community members shared how the intervention has not only improved their quality of life but also restored hope by enabling families to invest more time in productive activities instead of spending hours searching for water.

*Some of the households now fetch water just a few metres from their homes*

The delegation further visited several households, engaging primarily with women who shared their experiences of overcoming daily challenges and building stronger, more resilient families.

Many spoke about how participation in World Vision's biblical Empowered Worldview (EWV) and Savings for Transformation (S4T) programmes has strengthened their confidence, improved household incomes and empowered them to make informed decisions that benefit their families and communities.

Partnerships That Inspire Hope

Reflecting on the visit, Dr. Tamara, Associate Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to witness World Vision Zimbabwe's work firsthand.

"Our church is privileged to be in partnership with World Vision. We were grateful that we managed to visit several projects being implemented by World Vision," she said.

She noted that access to clean water is creating opportunities that extend well beyond meeting basic household needs.

"We have seen how World Vision has helped install water projects that have given birth to several projects such as gardens."

For Dr. Tamara, the visit reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in creating sustainable change.

"We believe that partnerships like these give everyone hope and yield greater things in vulnerable communities."

Transforming Lives Together

The Vision Trip served as a powerful reminder that sustainable development is built on strong partnerships and community participation.

Whether through child sponsorship in Mbire District or integrated water, health and livelihoods programming in Lupane District, the delegation witnessed how World Vision Zimbabwe is working alongside communities, partners and supporters to create lasting change.

*World Vision sponsors also spent time playing with children in Mbire*

From children accessing better educational opportunities, to mothers delivering safely at health facilities, to families improving their livelihoods through access to clean water, every story shared during the visit reflected the power of partnership.

Together with communities and partners around the world, World Vision Zimbabwe remains committed to ensuring that every child experiences life in all its fullness, with hope for a healthier, safer and more prosperous future.