However, within that village, there is a little chapel, dedicated to St Joseph. Scarcely more than a ruin, the building is now in very bad repair with no secure roof and is open to the weather. If any visiting priest is able to come and lead services, then he must sleep on the floor. However, in spite of their poverty, the villagers have pledged that they will somehow find the means to restore the chapel and build a two-roomed home for a priest.

One of the Zimbabwean parishioners from St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peasedown St John has contacts in the area and was able to describe the situation from personal experience. St Joseph’s (PSJ) was very moved by what they heard and, as a result, decided to do all they could to help their African namesake. One of the first events was a fundraising soup plus lunch in the church. Soup plus meant several varieties of delicious homemade soup, homebaked bread and cakes, followed by cheese and biscuits, a feast in itself! It was a particular pleasure to welcome friends and members from Peasedown Methodist Church and this really helped to create a very enjoyable atmosphere. The outcome was not only a fantastic lunch and the strengthening of local church links but, crucially, over £450 was raised to support St Joseph’s in Zimbabwe.