Zimbabwe (OMI) — The community of Siabuwa, where a medical worker from Operation Mobilization Zimbabwe has been sharing the Gospel among the Tonga people for the past 13 years, has long dreamed of building a community center. This neutral facility would be used for skills training, literacy classes, agricultural development, and community meetings.
When an OM outreach team to the community heard of this vision, they decided to join hands with the community in organizing a sponsored fun run. A matching fund of $5 for every person who participated in the run was set up by the outreach team.
(Photo Courtesy Operation Mobilization)
It did not take long for the community committee to realize that the more people they mobilized for the run, the more money they would be able to raise. Members of the local community were also encouraged to contribute something towards the run, with some only managing a few cents.
549 people of all ages and from all walks of life turned up for the first-ever 5K Siabuwa Challenge. Chief Siabuwa, who also took part in the event and presented trophies to event winners, said the community center at Siabuwa Growth Point was “a place of hope for our young people.” He thanked the outreach team for assisting the community in starting on its dream.
Over $3,000USD was raised for the community center, and community members young and old were proud to have contributed toward a common vision.
