Our Story
“I know this is an organization run by people of integrity, so the money
will be used wisely. Because it is a smaller organization,
I know that my gifts are going directly to the cause.”
Kuda Vana Partnership (formerly Murwira Children’s Home) was officially founded in Zimbabwe in 2006 by retired church secretary Paula Leen. Before retiring, Paula enlisted the help of partners in Zimbabwe and around the world who could continue to help meet the needs of orphaned and abandoned children in the area.
In 2015 we changed our name to Kuda Vana Partnership.
“Kuda Vana” means “Loving Children” in the local language of Shona, and "Partnership" signifies our commitment to partnering with local leaders and like-minded individuals and organizations around the world for the benefit of the most vulnerable children of Zimbabwe.
Kuda Vana Children’s Home is approximately 30 minutes outside of Mutare, Zimbabwe. It is adjacent to a permanent and generous water source, allowing us to grow several acres of food, and is equipped with group homes allowing up to 50 children and infants to live in family units with caregivers while we work to find them forever families. We operate an additional Youth Transition Campus located in Buhera, which supports young people ages 18-22 in their transition to self-sufficient adulthood.
Kuda Vana is not your typical orphanage. We are committed to providing each child placed in our care with more than a safe place of refuge. It is a home providing love, mental health-care, a complete education and life skills as well as spiritual and emotional guidance.
While Kuda Vana’s team provide a wonderful home, we know that residential care is never best for children: being in family is. Thus, we are committed to facilitating safe family reunifications, and domestic adoption and foster care. In recent years we have have facilitated 9 adoptions, placed 6 children with foster families and reunified 13 children with biological family.
Thank you for your interest in our work, and joining us on this journey!
Our Beliefs
““This place is special. It isn’t just an institution. It shares love. I want that love. I want to share that love. I know there are other people in the world that are living the way I lived before I came to Kuda Vana. I have to find those people now and help. And share the love I was given.””
Children First.
The children we serve come first. Always. We do for our few what we’d like to do for many. In this way, we can invest deeply in each child who comes to us in need of safety and love.
Build Families.
Our goal is to place children in forever families through safe reunification, domestic adoption or foster care. In the meantime, we provide small, family-oriented homes where each child can grow and thrive physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Address the Past.
We proactively seek to heal the wounds vulnerable children in our care have experienced through group and individual therapy with an on-staff psychologist. Additionally, we provide our entire team with annual trauma-informed care training.
Prepare for the Future.
We are committed to ensuring each young person in our care has the skills, confidence and support to become self-sufficient adults. This means we provide personalized, quality education from pre-school through college or trade school and often support the education of children we have placed back in family.
Community Driven.
We believe that Zimbabweans know the needs of their country's children the best. Our local leadership team runs operations, implements initiatives and develops overall strategy, while our stateside team works to secure resources.
Christ-Centered.
We introduce each child in our care to a Creator who has designed them each with unique gifts and endowed them with intrinsic value. We respect each child’s choice of belief system, but desire that when they leave us they are well-acquainted with a Father in heaven who will never harm or abandon them.
Meet the Leadership Team
Kuda Vana Partnership believes that Zimbabweans know the needs of their country's children the best. The local leadership team runs operations and implements initiatives, while the stateside team works to secure resources and help develop overall strategy. Kuda Vana’s caregivers are the backbone and heart of the operation. Our wonderful staff are educated, passionate and committed to empowering each child in their care to reaching his or her full potential.
William Pepukai -
D
irector
William does much of the unseen work at Kuda Vana. Communicating with local leaders, negotiating with government officials, organizing projects and much more, William does his work with determination and love.
When he arrives for his bi-monthly visits to Kuda Vana Children’s Home, many of the children run to him and delight in his attention and it is clear he also enjoys theirs. During school breaks, William and his wife invite children from Kuda Vana to stay in their home where they thoroughly enjoy being a part of family life. During the pandemic, many of our high school students lived and engaged in remote school from his home.
William has experience running his own hospital equipment business and is currently pursuing a Project Development degree in school.
Davis Mundirwira -
Administrator
Davis oversees all aspects of day to day operations, and works hard to create an environment of love, support and family for the children and all members of the staff. He also serves as an important father figure to the children. Davis understands the importance of mentorship and education - he grew up without a father in his life and it was his older brother who inspired him to pursue a complete education. He heard about Kuda Vana from William, his childhood friend, and says he knew he had to get involved when he got to know the kids - there was no way he could walk away.
Davis provides important financial and operational oversight to Kuda Vana, as he holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Africa University and has held positions in finance at other nonprofits in Zimbabwe. Davis is currently earning is Masters degree in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance.
Knowledge Manyere -
Assistant Administrator
Knowledge is an incredibly positive and enthusiastic role model for the children at Kuda Vana. He does his work with a smile, and always looks for ways to improve things for the children’s benefit.
He is a firm believer in the power of education. The youngest of 11 children, he worked hard to help provide for his family while also excelling in school. Despite many hardships, Knowledge earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting, and most recently worked with Youth Advocates Zimbabwe where he worked in finance and administration.
Knowledge is passionate about helping the children of Kuda Vana learn skills that can help them care for their own families someday. He says that his biggest desire for the children in his care is to support them as they grow spiritually, and help them get to know a God that loves them unconditionally.
“I am here as a brother, as a father, and as a friend to the children. I am helping them grow physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. I can assure you that your gifts are being put to good use, and you are indeed making a difference. “
John and Colleen Ordelheide -
Managing Trustees
John and Colleen's lives changed forever in 2011 on their first trip to Zimbabwe. The children and the country captured their hearts, and the task of ensuring each child was given a chance to not just survive, but thrive, was something they couldn't walk away from.
They spend at least six months of the year at Kuda Vana, where you are likely to find "Uncle John" building a playground, fixing plumbing or tinkering in the gardens. "Auntie Colleen" is equally a fixture, making sure that each Mama has what they need to care for a family of 10, and coordinating school and doctor's schedules for the 50 children in Kuda Vana's care.
John and Colleen are blessed with two children and six grandchildren, and their family has embraced Kuda Vana as part of their lives.
Tara Petersen -
Executive Director
Tara has had a lifelong passion for travel and connecting with people across the globe. She is honored to work with such dedicated team, and to have a small part in making life better for vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.
She has worked in nonprofit resource development for more than a decade, and holds a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management. Tara enjoys the process of helping people discover the joy of philanthropy, and thinks the best part of her job is telling stories.
Tara lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and travels to Zimbabwe annually. She is grateful to God as the author of her own story - it has been more interesting than she could have ever imagined. In her free time, you'll find her and her husband and daughters camping in the mountains. You can reach her at tara@kudavana.org or 720-515-5148.
“The staff here open our hearts to these children, just as we do for our children at home. What we wish for our children at home, we wish for our children at Kuda Vana. We want them to be good children who will have a good future. We will not give up on them, and always work hard to help them in the right way.”
Our Partners
Amistad International
Amistad International is a small charity with global reach, serving impoverished communities at their request throughout the world. The organization and its donors have been avid supporters of Kuda Vana Partnership for more than a decade. Without the support and leadership of Karen Kotoske, Amistad’s Executive Director, it is likely that Kuda Vana would not exist to stand in the gap for vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.
Bellafina Chocolates
Bellafina Chocolates exists to help vulnerable women and children. 100% of profit from every Bellafina Chocolates purchase benefits charities helping children threatened by disease, poverty, abuse, or neglect. No tricks, no gimmicks…it’s why they exist. Every artisan chocolate truffle delivers hope and delight to your tastebuds. Shop to benefit Kuda Vana Partnership HERE!
Frontline Management
Kuda Vana is grateful for the generous support of our corporate sponsor, Frontline Management. The company’s motto, “Making A Difference… Where It Matters” is not only exemplified in their care and management of senior housing and healthcare facilities, but also in their broad support of vulnerable children at Kuda Vana. Frontline’s staff make a difference in the lives of their residents, and children across the world, every day.
Lifesource Adventist Fellowship
LifeSource Adventist Fellowship in Denver, Colorado has been a partner from the very beginning. Members of this church have shared their time, talent and treasure to help make Kuda Vana what it is today. Join them on Saturdays on LiveStream or for in-person services.
North Hills Church
North Hills Church is a Christian community in Claremont, California that is excited to introduce people to Jesus and to develop passionate disciples. As they endeavor to be more like Jesus, they believe serving others is essential. Everyone is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated as such, so they partner with local, national, and international organizations to provide opportunities for others to live generously and to serve. Kuda Vana's story and efforts impressed the hearts of this church and they are excited to be an international partner. As a partner, North Hills is committed to providing funding, time, and talents to support Kuda Vana and to share this ministry with others.
Redemptive Dance Ministries
Redemptive Dance Ministries’ mission is to provide a Christ-centered environment to learn the art of dance for the purpose of glorifying God, redeeming dance and the beauty of every human body for His Kingdom. Their studio in Littleton, Colorado provides a beautiful space for Kuda Vana’s storefront, introducing more people to our work.
RDM is launched a Zimbabwe chapter at Kuda Vana in 2022, and its ministry is introducing young people at Kuda Vana and in the surrounding community to Jesus through dance and discipleship programs!
