Auburn's Sewing for Hope group hosts Zimbabwean couple
By Amy Vingerhoeds
Richard and Chenai Chimbetete arrived in Toronto on Feb. 1 after an 18-hour long journey from Harare, Zimbabwe. While in the Belgrave area for three days, their host, Audrey Bos, kept them busy on a horse and sleigh ride, visiting a dog sledder and curling (their new favourite Canadian activity). Sporting their warm new Canada toques and sweaters, the Chimbetetes also visited the women at Sewing for Hope, the sewing group near Auburn that has been sending handmade items to Zimbabwe for 15 years.
Over lunch, Richard and Chenai told the group about life in Zimbabwe. They related some of their current struggles due to the country’s high level of unemployment and food insecurity, poverty, corrupt government and crippling inflation. It is day-to-day survival for many.
The couple started helping by working with the broader African agency, Village of Hope. First, an orphanage was built; nine small homes each housing eight children and a house mother. Next, they added a medical clinic, resource centre, staff housing, church and a school for 700 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 11. Some of the small homes were converted into dormitories for 40 residential students. They also reach out into the greater community in four locations to provide a protein-rich porridge, feeding 1,200 children a day.
Sewing for Hope in Auburn has been quietly helping since 2010 by sending some of the things that members make on their Wednesday sewing days, such as linens and household items for the house mothers and simple clothing, toiletry bags and backpacks for the children and of course, quilts.
“The night time temperature in our area goes down to five degrees,” Chenai told the group, so the warm clothing and quilts have been well used. “For us sewers and quilters, it was gratifying to hear how our contributions of quilts, socks, hoodies, t-shirts, PJs, hats and medical supplies make life easier and more enjoyable,” says Marilyn Bruinsma, long-time member of Sewing for Hope. This was the sentiment shared by all group members.
According to Richard Chimbetete, one of the primary goals of Village for Hope is to develop skills so young people can become more employable and self-sufficient: growing food in their own gardens, farming, construction, welding and sewing. As the couple looked at items displayed by the Auburn sewing group, they were most interested in finding sewing projects that Zimbabwe women could learn to make themselves.
The Chimbetetes suggested the next step could be sending materials for Zimbabwe students to learn to sew. Completed clothing and handcrafts could then be sold and help support their own families. Unfortunately, bolts of fabric can too easily be stolen, so it is more prudent to make individual packages of fabric, patterns and notions.
Sewing kits will be created and sent to Zimbabwe with Audrey Bos in September of 2026. If anyone wishes to donate fabric, sewing notions or supplies, please contact Sewing for Hope through Marita Oudshoorn by e-mail at oudshoorn@hurontel.on.ca