Who's who in Mozambique

Frikkie & Juanita de Jager

It is impossible to talk about the work of Maninga in Mozambique without talking about Frikkie & Juanita, the Zimbabwean missionaries who began the community back in the early 1990's.

For those of you whom the word 'missionary' conjures up 'people shoving religion down people's throats.' think again. Here are a couple full of never-ending love, partience, compassion and resourcefulness; dealing on a daily basis with hardship, pain, knockbacks and death. They are the kind of missionaries we are proud to work with. A remarkable couple, who have affected the lives of so many thousands of childen and adults in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. They have been working tirelessly with the poor and vulnerable for the last 40 years with no search for recognition or reward.

Over the years they have encountered countless tragedies and disasters and have faced many dangers from serious illnesses, car accidents, violence, houses burnt down, cyclones, floods and much more. Their skills to work in the bush are second to none - all self taught - builder, electrician, farmer, engine/machine/anything fixer, medic, seamstress, alongside speaking various languages. But what stands way above all of these, is the fact they are loved and widely respected by the local people and have been working with them all their lives.

Baba Elizeu & Mai Helena

Elizeu and Helena used to be responsible for the day-to-day running of Vila Maninga and for the care of the foster children. Now they live in the local town of Vanduzi as most of the children are at local secondary schools and keep an eye on them and still help with changes at Vila Maninga. They have been working with Frikkie & Juanita since the beginnings of Vila Maninga!