About
AFADU was founded in 2004 by the current Chairperson, Julie Routledge, following a trip to Zimbabwe, where she observed the poor conditions in which a group of orphaned and other vulnerable children lived in Chikombedzi in Mwenzi District in Zimbabwe. These children lacked access to basic education, medical care, adequate food and shelter, and the care that all children need. This experience inspired Julie to work with the local community and with Ezelle Schimper (a local white farmer who was trying to care for these orphaned children) to create an environment that adequately meets the physical and psychological needs of these children. As a result, AFADU was born with an initial mandate to support the children in Ezelle’s care. The first container of basic essential goods was sent in October 2003.