January Newsletter: Gratitude, Celebration, and New Beginnings at Mushunga Community Project

Dear Mushunga Community,

As we begin a new year, our hearts are filled with gratitude and hope. January has given us a meaningful moment to reflect on the joy of Christmas, celebrate a special milestone in our leadership family, and prepare for the return of our children to school. Your continued love and support make every step of this journey possible.

A Christmas Filled With Joy and Gratitude

Last year, we launched the campaign “Help Us Celebrate Christmas for Our Mushunga Community”, and we were overwhelmed by the response from sponsors, supporters, and well wishers around the world.

Because of your generosity, Christmas at Mushunga was truly unforgettable. Children celebrated with new clothes, warm meals, gifts, music, laughter, and smiles that spoke louder than words. Families received essential food items, and children who lacked proper sleeping materials were provided with comfortable beddings. These were not just gifts, but moments of dignity, joy, and belonging.

Our goal was to raise five thousand dollars to make Christmas special for every child and family in need. By God’s grace and your kindness, we exceeded this goal and raised $5,300.

For transparency, we wanted to share this joyful outcome with you and simply say thank you. Thank you to everyone who gave, everyone who shared the campaign with friends and family, and everyone who carried Mushunga in their hearts. Your generosity turned a simple day into a lifelong memory for our children.

Honoring a Life and a Lasting Legacy

As we reflect on this season of gratitude, we also pause to honor the life of one of our valued sponsor and donor who sadly passed away in late December.

Though no longer with us, his generosity, compassion, and belief in the mission of Mushunga have left a lasting legacy. We are deeply grateful for the impact he made in the lives of the children we serve.

We are also humbled by the kindness of his family, who have chosen to continue supporting Mushunga through ongoing sponsorship. This act of love ensures that his legacy lives on through education, care, and hope for the children whose lives they helped transform.

We remember him with respect, gratitude, and heartfelt appreciation.

A Joyful Milestone: Tonny’s Introduction Ceremony

We are also delighted to share a very special personal celebration within the Mushunga family.

Our Director, Tonny, has chosen to introduce us to his future wife, Dainah, marking an important step toward marriage. On Saturday, January seventeenth, Tonny traveled to Dainah’s village with a delegation of his closest friends and family for the Introduction Ceremony, also known as the Giving Away Ceremony.

This beautiful cultural tradition is a time when both families formally meet, socialize, and get to know one another. During the ceremony, future plans are discussed and the terms of the dowry are respectfully negotiated and agreed upon. Once this process is complete, Tonny will return with Dainah to begin their life together at Mushunga.

We celebrate this moment with joy and gratitude, and we ask you to keep Tonny and Dainah in your prayers as they prepare for this new chapter of life.

Looking Ahead: Beginning of Term One

As the new year unfolds, we are also preparing for the return of our children to school. Victorious Community School will officially open for Term One on the 12th February, 2026.

After the holidays, we are excited to welcome the children back to a place of learning, growth, structure, and care. Our team is ready to continue serving the children and the wider community with dedication and love, ensuring that every child is supported academically, emotionally, and socially.

With Gratitude and Hope

From the joy of Christmas celebrations to personal milestones and the promise of a new school term, January has reminded us that Mushunga is more than a project. It is a family built on faith, generosity, and shared purpose.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Thank you for believing in our children, supporting our leaders, and helping us build a future filled with hope.

With warm gratitude,

The Mushunga Community Project Team