Hope to Weather Any Storm

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8.

In October of 2023, El Niño hit Zimbabwe and thus began the 6 month season of drought leading to crop loss, livestock fatality, increased disease transmission, crop pests, and challenges related to water, sanitation and hygiene in an area already susceptible to food insecurity. 

In Zimbabwe, a nation still recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic and is currently in the midst of a Cholera outbreak, hope seems lost. Drought related hunger, heat stress, mental health challenges, and infectious diseases are at an all time high due to El Niño. In many communities, children will line up at community water sources as early as 2 o'clock in the morning in order to collect the daily water their families need. 

When extreme weather events like El Niño deprive communities of their livelihoods, young children often suffer, which puts them at greater risk for abuse, illness, delayed mental development and premature death. Even if children are able to survive the physical dangers of their environment, they are exposed to pain, loss, and hopelessness which can send them into a downward spiral of vulnerability lasting far longer than the drought. 

This is the context in which RiverCross serves communities in Zimbabwe. RiverCross Freedom Clubs served 2,000 students in 2023, pointing youth to the truth that God is present, active, and good. He has a hope and future for their lives, and for ours. 

*Although the stories we share are true, identifying details have been changed.