Many Hands Help Build Church Medical Clinic

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April 23, 2024 | MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News)

Key Points:

  • United Methodists in Zimbabwe and Maryland joined for the dedication of a new state-of-the-art medical clinic at the church’s Munyarari Mission.
  • Bel Air United Methodist Church started Chabadza-Healing Hands Across Zimbabwe in 2007 to raise funds to build the clinic.
  • The new Munyarari Mission Clinic boasts three patient wings, a spacious waiting area, an administration and treatment block and a fenced and gated campus.

A dream that began nearly 20 years ago at Bel Air United Methodist Church in Maryland recently became reality with the opening of the new Munyarari Mission Clinic in Zimbabwe.

The state-of-the-art facility, constructed by funds from the congregation and its Chabadza-Healing Hands Across Zimbabwe mission organization, was dedicated Feb. 24 by Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, who leads the Zimbabwe East and West annual conferences.

The clinic boasts men’s and women’s wings (22-bed capacity each), a maternity wing, a spacious waiting area, an administration and treatment block, a modernized incinerator, a separate block of flashing-system toilets, dual-energy electricity and a fenced and gated campus.

Three semidetached, five-room buildings house staff. In addition to the clinic, the church’s Munyarari Mission is home to a primary and secondary school and church sanctuary.

David Talbot, team leader of the partner congregation, said he was grateful and privileged to represent his church family at Bel Air United Methodist Church and its mission team of Chabadza-Healing Hands Across Zimbabwe, who were instrumental in fulfilling this dream.

“Attending this dedication ceremony, and my humble role in helping to build it, has been one of the most wonderful, God-led experiences of my life,” he said.

Nineteen years ago, Bel Air member Beth Lusky envisioned building a medical clinic in Africa. She shared her dream with her pastor, who formed a small team to pray and evaluate the idea. The team unanimously approved the proposal.

The bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference formed and directed a mission team to speak with Bishop Nhiwatiwa, who suggested building the clinic at Munyarari Mission.

Chabadza-Healing Hands Across Zimbabwe is the official name of the mission organization that was formed in 2007 to build the clinic.

“That dream turned into action,” Talbot said. “Today, we are so blessed. That promise has been fulfilled. Your clinic, by God’s unfathomable grace, is complete. It has been built through prayer, perseverance, sweat, hard work and most of all, love.

“I am reminded of the verse, Matthew 19:26, when Jesus Christ said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’”

Nhiwatiwa said the dedication of the clinic is a dream fulfilled.

“Things of God are built on his promises,” he said. “We are reminded of a long journey of faith to deliver health services to the people. We are thankful to our partners and the communities for joining the church in building this magnificent building,” he continued. “We are also very thankful to the government, represented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, for making sure that our dream of bringing good health to the community was realized.”  

Tendai Kapenzi, Mutare District development coordinator, said he is humbled and appreciative of the work spearheaded by The United Methodist Church to complement government efforts.

“You have shown that the church and government can work together to achieve the health and well-being of the nation … A good sign that together the government and church can achieve a lot. This church has health centers around the country.” 

The Rev. Energy Mudzedze, Munyarari Mission clinic station chair, said the project cost $442,800.

“The community has contributed $88,000 in locally available materials. Unity of purpose was instrumental in making this dream come true,” Mudzedze said.

“Chabadza” is a local concept where farmers take extra hoes to the field and passersby who see them working will take up the spare hoes and assist. Under the partnership, villagers provided bricks, stones, sand and labor, while the partners provided the other building materials such as roofing, windows and cement, and also pay the contractor.

The region’s traditional head man, Happymore Nyamana, attended the dedication.

“A clinic is an inheritance that will live forever and knows no boundaries,” Nyamana said. “It caters for everyone in need of health services. Even those abroad will need help directly or indirectly. I am sure the next generation will thank us as visionary leaders.

“The unity among stakeholders was amazing. Those who finished were not the ones who started it, but it was like passing the baton to the next person.”

Village head Joseph Munyariri called the clinic a dream come true.

“We used to travel 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) to the nearest clinic. Expectant mothers bore the brunt. With the clinic close by, no deaths are expected. Our hope is to have a full-fledged hospital and a boarding school as we continue to be partners.”

Dr. Walter Mutindori, Zimbabwe East Conference health secretary, said the clinic will go a long way in striving to achieve universal health coverage.

“The institution will assist in efforts to end preventable maternal and child mortality and improve the health of the population it serves,” he said, pointing out that the community will benefit from health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and maternity and family/child health.

“My wish is for the clinic to have an autoclave pot (for sterilization), linens, fencing of (the) solar plant and nurses’ quarters, medication and Blair Toilets (pit toilets) for staff and clinic as backup,” Mutindori said. 

Dephine Chimwamwa, Chinyauhwera high school peer leader, called the medical facility “a beacon of hope and healing for all who walk through its doors.”

“The church is ushering in a new era of health care excellence. Together, let us write a story of hope, courage and healing that will resonate to generations to come.”

High schooler Tresh Maraire said the health center has been thoughtfully designed. “The clinic holds care for the sick, offers solace to the worried and brings new life into the world.”

Sister-in-Charge Mildred Marimbire said the clinic is staffed by caring professionals.

“A clinic is not just defined by its physical infrastructure. It is the dedicated and skilled individuals within its walls who truly make the difference. My team of health care professionals are committed to upholding the highest standards of care with empathy, expertise and unwavering dedication.”

She said, however, that the new facility has resulted in a higher influx of patients but inadequate medication to meet the increased demand.

Expectant mother Kudzai Chimwamwa from Mugwede Village is staying at the Munyarari waiting mother’s shelter.

“I am very happy because of the care and support I am receiving,” she said. “They give me food and provide timely checkups. Even the bishop came to see me, and he prayed for me. I was very happy. I am expecting my fourth baby.”

Selina Muchaya, who leads village health workers, said she is thankful to God for this achievement.

“We used to walk 11 kilometers to the nearest clinic. Many women would give birth at home, leading to high infant mortality. Today, the clinic is at our doorstep.”

Muchaya stressed raising awareness of the importance of visiting the clinic for periodic health checkups and timely treatment, especially for pregnant women. “No deaths are expected during delivery in this modern world,” she said.

Nhiwatiwa, who is set to retire at the end of the year, said he is confident about the church’s future.

“As I leave the bishop’s office in December, I want to see confidence in the people — current and incoming leaders — that the church is alive and will continue to be alive.”

The United Methodist Church’s greatness, he continued, “lives within the people and is alive in their lives. I have dubbed 2024 as a year of jubilee. Jubilee is about joy and happiness. We are very happy about this clinic.”

Chingwe is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.