Cynthia Mamvura of Marondera, Zimbabwe, and her little sister came to the Abbot Francis Pfanner Children’s Home in 2010. Their mother had passed away, and their father could not be located. Efforts to trace relatives were fruitless, and the sisters who run the orphanage took the girls in.
Fast forward to today, and Cynthia, now 14 years old and known as Shalom, is thriving at her local public school. She is seen as an intelligent child with a bright future ahead of her. However, the sisters who run the orphanage struggle to meet the needs of the many children in their care, including providing for their education.
Shalom is hardworking and highly intelligent, demonstrating a spirit of compassion as she helps younger children with their homework. She has big dreams of becoming a pilot, but her current situation may make that difficult to achieve without assistance.
An education scholarship helps Shalom, allowing her to pursue her dreams and reach her full potential. She is eager to attend Form 1 at Monte Cassino Girls High School, where she will continue to help the younger children at the orphanage while pursuing her studies.
Shalom’s story is just one example of the struggles faced by orphaned children in Zimbabwe and around the world. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there are those who possess resilience and determination, who are willing to work hard to achieve their dreams.
We can all do our part to support children like Shalom by advocating for education and helping to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Through our collective efforts, we can help to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for the next generation.