The Dorcas women of Jacaranda Seventh-day Adventist Church have delivered a substantial donation of blankets, heaters, and hygiene supplies to the Maternity Ward at Gwanda Provincial Hospital, on a cold winter Sabbath afternoon in southern Zimbabwe.

The donation was made on Sabbath, 11 July 2026. It included 40 fleece blankets for newborns and mothers, two electric heaters dedicated specifically to the ward's Kangaroo Care room where premature and vulnerable babies receive continuous skin-to-skin care, and a heavy-duty 35-litre kettle to ensure a reliable supply of hot water for the ward. The Dorcas ministry also delivered 35 hygiene hampers containing basic toiletries and 40 fresh fruit hampers for mothers recovering after childbirth.

Gwanda North District Pastor Emmanuel Msimanga said the ministry's action reflected the church's understanding of the gospel commission.

"It is our duty as a church to reach out and offer assistance where necessary," Msimanga said. "There is a need for interventions to first come from local stakeholders, the local church members, because external assistance does not always arrive immediately. God has given us a mission to preach the gospel, and this includes reaching out to the less privileged and those in need. This is part of the church's community outreach and welfare initiatives."

For the ward staff, the donation arrived at a practical moment. Zimbabwe's cold season had already set in, and blankets and heating had become daily concerns for a maternity unit caring for newborns.

"Every donation we receive is a major boost and helps us provide better care to our patients," said Sister Tungamira, a member of the hospital staff.

For patients on the ward, the visit brought both material relief and encouragement. Ms. Nyathi, a mother receiving care at the time of the delivery, said the presence of the church women lifted the atmosphere of the ward.

"Having people visit you during your stay in the hospital is refreshing and brings hope," Nyathi said. "One needs all the support they can get."

The Jacaranda Dorcas Society is part of the South Zimbabwe Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and continues to support hospitals and vulnerable community members across the Gwanda North District as part of the church's ongoing welfare ministry.