The Village of Hope, Zimbabwe was established in 2001 with the purchase of 20 acres of land on the outskirts of Harare – the capital city.Working together with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe (PAOZ) and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) Hope Community Church was planted under the direction of Rev. Murray Cornelius. Rev. Munetsi Zowa and his family took on Hope Community Church as Senior Pastor in 2002, releasing Rev. Cornelius to other duties.

During the first two years, a feeding program into two of the local poverty stricken farm plots began, and two orphan homes were built in anticipation of Registration as an orphanage. However when the Registration was denied, development on the property stopped.

A half day preschool was established during that time in answer to the needs of the growing community surrounding the Village. And in 2005, the preschool went to a full day program.

As the tense political environment during the time of the first denial began to calm, the Cooledge family moved to Zimbabwe in September, 2005 to take on Directorship of the Village, and begin the process of registration anew. A local Management Committee was established and a lot of legwork began to bring the Village of Hope to what it is today.

Despite the economic and political climate that exists in Zimbabwe today – in April 2007, the Village was granted permission to establish a Primary School we now call CHAPS (Cornelius Hope Academy Primary School).

Finally, miracle of miracles – in June, 2007 the Village of Hope was granted permission to operate an orphanage under Registration from the Ministry of Social Welfare in Zimbabwe.

We are so very excited for this moment in time when God has granted us favour and the Village of Hope is moving forward ‘Not by might, not by power, but by (His) Spirit!!

This Village of Hope, Zimbabwe is now one of five existing Villages of Hope in Sub-Sahara Africa. Their purpose – to provide a place of refuge and safety for children in response to the growing number of orphans in this region of Africa – to provide HOPE…For Their Future!