Support for a new orphanage in Tanzania has finally come to head now that the building is under construction.
Every year ZAP! (Zepick Alumni Productions) Theatre Productions stages performances from which all proceeds go toward building a new orphanage just outside Mwanza, Tanzania.
In 2005 a couple living in Mwanza, Patrick and Beatrice Mwafute, started welcoming street boys into their home because they noticed the number of boys running rampant in the area, many are abused by authorities.
The couple already had children of their own but still welcomed the boys. “Some of them were in jail, some of them involved with drugs,” said ZAP! director Debbie Zepick.
“Some of them would have simply been statistics to suicide or drug overdose,” she added.
“They had the support of local businesses,” said ZAP! general manager Daniel Allers.
By 2009 the small homestead orphanage was in danger of closing because the local support disappointed.
On a trip to Kilimanjaro, Daniel Zepick, Debbie’s son, met the Mwafutes and heard their plight. After he returned home he told his mother about the orphanage’s need for support.
“When he came back home he said ‘Mom we have to do something’,” said Zepick.
Zepick was already involved with fundraising concerts through A Better World, an organization out of Lacombe. “I knew you could raise funds through music.”
The Central Alberta Homeschool Choir, in conjunction with Rosedale Valley Orchestra, began holding concerts for the project. However, after many of the singers surpassed school age they pushed for another avenue to be involved.
Zepick began directing musicals so those wanting to could remain involved. ZAP! became the final supporter of the orphanage. “It’s really unique. It’s primarily just teenager involved, and people their early 20s. They have a vision for a better future,” said Allers.
Last year Zepick was able to travel to the site of the orphanage and meet the Mwafutes. “To meet the mom, we really clicked . . . It was a really emotional experience.”
She was also able to meet the boys taken in by the couple; they now call her Grandma.
The structure of the orphanage is up and teams are working on finishing the inside. “You can actually see the physical layout of the building. It’s in a beautiful, beautiful spot. It’s in a farming area. It’s surrounded by mango trees,” said Zepick.
Three years ago the project goal was to cover the Mwafutes’ costs for a year, said Allers. “The dream was to build them a new orphanage.
One year later, six areas of land went up for sale; the new goal was to purchase the land for the orphanage. Another year passed and the deed was finalized.
Allers says once the building is finished they want it to be able to house 100 boys and have the entire operation self-sufficient, rather than having missionary volunteers run it.
“You’re actually taking away jobs from the locals,” said Allers, referring to missionary teams.
ZAP! has donated more than $80,000 over the last few years.
“I don’t really pay attention to that,” said Zepick. “We just keep chugging along. People are incredibly generous.’
This year’s fundraiser play is Jitterbug Juliet; a musical comedy set in the 1940s. “It’s basically a modern telling of the classic Romeo and Juliet. Only less tragedy more comedy,” said Allers.
Although it’s a Shakespearean play, Allers says the performance is family-friendly. You could bring your three-year-old to it and they’d love it and laugh. There’s some physical comedy.”
Play times for Jitterbug Juliet are: May 17, 18, 24 and 25. Each performance is at 7 p.m. and takes place at Asker Church. There is a 1:30 p.m. matinee May 18. The church is east of Ponoka on Highway 53, then north on Asker Road, (just past Mecca Glen School).