​Local group travels to Zimbabwe, Africa, for multicultural experience

A dozen people from the Kincardine area travelled to Zimbabwe, Africa, for a multicultural experience, meeting new people, learning how they worship, and getting to know more about their culture.

The trip took a year to plan and was organized through the Pine River United Church whose minister, Rev. Wonder Chimvinga, and his family hail from this country.

The group members spent Aug. 14-29 travelling to Harare, Masvingo, Hwange and Victoria Falls. They attended church services, met Chief Mugabe, visited schools for deaf and blind children, toured a children’s hospital and the Murray Theological College, and visited the Morgenster Teacher’s College and the Reformed Church University.

They presented donations to the schools for deaf and blind children, the children’s hospital and the theological college.

As part of the trip, they attended a church youth conference over a weekend while visiting the Town of Morgenster. They also made an appearance at a local women’s conference which had approximately 8,000 women in attendance.

Other sightseeing activities included touring the Chinhoyi Caves, Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Kyle Lake and Kyle Dam, a safari game drive at Hwange National Park, seeing Victoria Falls, and attending the Boma Dinner Buffet and Interactive Drum Show.

Taking part in this adventure, were Janice Curtis, Declan Farrell, Rachel Eby, Jessie Shaw, Keaton Shaw, Karen Dobson, Felix Shaw, and Rev. Wonder, Tendi, Agape, Charis and Bliss Chimvinga.

They gave a presentation at Pine River United Church, Sunday, Sept. 21, talking about the trip and what they had learned.

Curtis said the church services are quite different than here in Canada. “They do lots of singing and dancing, and their services are very lively, engaging and exciting.”

She said people wanted to have photos taken with members of the group. “We were mobbed. Everyone wanted to have a selfie with the white people.”

The food was a lot different than what we eat in Canada, they said, and the roads were rough.

Each group member said what he/she liked best about the trip, and the answers included the safari, the sight-seeing, meeting the people, and being reminded of how lucky we are to live in Canada.

“The people there have so little but they are so joyful,” said Curtis. “It’s important that we share what we have.”

“I was amazed at how welcoming everyone was,” said Keaton. “They met you, talked to you and really wanted to get to know you.”

“I learned that the little you give people means a lot to them,” said Tendi Chimvinga. “It’s important to help others.”

Eby said this was a Zimbabwe cultural exchange. The group received some grant money from the United Church of Canada, and raised about $3,000 through fund-raising. Each group member was responsible for his/her own airfare, accommodation, fees and souvenirs.

“It was a wonderful trip,” said Eby, “and I look forward to planning the next one!”