Zimbabwe as a new assignment country of the BMI
In spite of the difficult situation in the country, the BMI is reviewing whether to act in future as mediator to provide specialists for Zimbabwe to take part in a democratic development of its society. In the present pilot phase, Yvonne Heinzer and Urs Betschart are working in the hospital at Silveira Mission.
The central themes of a future programme are:
- Public Health
- Youth Work
- Strengthening Institutions
The BMI works in close contact with the Bethlehem Mission Society (SMB) in the development of the country’s own programme in Zimbabwe. The Society has been engaged since 1938 in the growth of the local church in the Dioceses of Gweru and Masvingo. The SMB accomplished distinguished development work for many years for a post-colonial country, particularly in the fields of education, public health and in the media scene. Today there are 31 SMB priests and brothers living in Zimbabwe.
Investment in the future is necessary
The Bethlehem Mission supports a programme in Zimbabwe to train and strengthen Youth Organisations which are working towards a democratic transformation.
Changes in Zimbabwe must come from the youth. For this reason, the BMI, together with two other Swiss welfare organizations, supports and finances a project that has the youth of the country as its focus. The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Programme (YET) offers young people a training in peace promotion, participation, and leadership competence. YET also links youth organizations together and conducts awareness work amongst the population within the framework of the political possibilities.
Yvonne Heinzer, Certified Homoeopath hfnh
Set-up homoeopathic consulting hours and treatment at Silveira Hospital and training local people in First Aid Homoeopathy.
Partner organization: Diocese of Mashvingo
Urs Betschart, Electrical Engineer
Technical support and development of the infrastructure at the hospitals in Silveira and Musiso.
Partner organization: Diocese of Mashvingo