The General Board of Church and Society’s Intern Tafadzwa Chikawa, a graduate of Africa University, talks about his faith-led mission to promote dignity and justice in healthcare. The King David UM Youth fellowship of Zimbabwe visited Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, the largest public referral hospital in Manicaland Province.
During the visit, his team of young people participated in a cleanup campaign around the hospital grounds, removing litter, clearing walkways, and restoring a sense of dignity to an overstretched facility.
They also donated essential items such as gloves, blankets, soap, and other supplies. Though small in material value, these contributions were deeply symbolic of our love, compassion, and solidarity with the suffering.
“Our interactions with patients and staff gave us a window into the everyday struggles of Zimbabwe’s public health system. A system that is burdened by chronic shortages of staff, medication, and essential equipment,” said Chikawa.
Healthcare in Rural and Marginalized Communities
In rural and marginalized communities across Manicaland:
- Many residents travel over 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) to access the nearest clinic.
- Patients are often required to pay for medical supplies, tests, or surgeries—costs that most cannot afford.
- Expectant mothers and people living with chronic conditions like HIV and diabetes often suffer in silence.
Moving From Service to Advocacy
After serving at the hospital, the group left with a deep conviction: Our calling as Christian youth must go beyond acts of charity and into the work of advocacy and justice.
“We affirm health care as a basic human right and vow to work toward expanded access to all forms of medical treatment, including preventative, therapeutic, and palliative care. Half the world’s population lack access to health care, and a growing number of people who do have access face increased medical expenses for themselves or their loved ones, pushing them toward poverty. To confront these painful realities, we urge United Methodists to join efforts aimed at creating systems that provide comprehensive health protections for all.”
Youth-led Advocacy: A Vision for Systemic Change
Our visit to Victoria Chitepo Hospital was more than a one-day event. It was a turning point that deepened our commitment to justice and planted a vision of a better healthcare future for all Zimbabweans. As United Methodists, we believe the Church has a unique role to play in turning this vision into reality.
While the United Methodist Church operates key mission hospitals like Old Mutare and Mutambara Mission Hospitals, much more is still needed. Our collective witness as a church must press for a system where every person can access free, quality, and dignified healthcare, regardless of where they live or how much they earn.
Your Generosity Supports Advocacy and Peace
By supporting the World Service Fund apportionment, you provide basic financial support to program-related general agencies like the General Board of Church and Society agency. Their mandate is to address more than 30 social issues on which The United Methodist Church has claimed a position. Church and Society communicate with policymakers and leaders around the world with the mission of transforming the world.
excerpt from a story by Tafadzwa Chikawa, Church and Society Intern July 22, 2025
The World Service Fund provides basic financial support to program-related general agencies, which are especially important to the common vision, mission, and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through World Service funding, agencies support annual conferences and local congregations in living out God’s mission for the worldwide Church. General agencies also provide essential services and ministries beyond the scope of individual local congregations and annual conferences through services and ministries that are highly focused, flexible, and capable of rapid response.
