Africa University Today - Winter 2020

HPUMC-funded Women’s Dormitory Completed, Occupied

A new dormitory, built with the support of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC), is now home to more than 130 female students at Africa University. The facility is one of two HPUMC-funded infrastructure projects at the institution’s main campus at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe.

With the existing dormitories at full capacity last August, more than 300 students—83 percent of them undergraduate women—had no option but to live off-campus. The new dormitory, completed in mid-January, has enabled many students to move onto the campus.

Among them is second-year student Munashe Foroma, the resident assistant (RA) assigned to the new dormitory. She is thrilled that her daily commute is over. “The new hostel has great facilities…The space is clean and lovely and just feels like a home away from home,” said Foroma.

HPUMC announced the $2 million gift in March 2016, during Africa University’s 25th anniversary celebrations. It is the largest gift to date from a congregation and the most substantial investment in student services infrastructure at Africa University in more than a decade. The church designated the funds to build the women’s dormitory and complete phase two of the student union building.

“To see the dorm and to open it to students brings unimaginable joy to us,” said George Miti, the university’s dean of students. He described the facility as first-rate and its impact as deeply meaningful to a grateful campus community.

“Given HPUMC’s long term support of students through scholarships, it is a dream come true to be able to support students in a new way,” said Lisa Tichenor, a member of the congregation and chair of the AU Tennessee corporation.

Marti Benson, an architect and member of the HPUMC congregation, provided input in designing the buildings and helped to supervise construction.

“It is the greatest joy, not only for me but for the congregation as a whole, to see the excitement of the students, their happiness and the reinforcement of their faith in God as they enjoy the benefits of safe and comfortable housing while getting their education at Africa University,” said Benson.

HPUMC member Lisa Tichenor visits with some of the youg women who now call the new dorm home.

Thank you for investing at 100 percent in the Africa University Fund in 2019.

The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF apportionment over the past two years are:

North Central Jurisdiction 2019 2018 Dakotas 100% 100% East Ohio 100% 100% Illinois Great Rivers 100% 100% Indiana 100% 100% Iowa 100% 100% Minnesota 100% West Ohio 100% 100% Wisconsin 108.99% Jurisdiction Total Support 91.33% 95.87% Northeastern Jurisdiction 2019 2018 Baltimore-Washington 100% 100% Greater New Jersey 100% 100% New England 100% 100% New York 100% 104.01% Peninsula-Delaware 100% 100% Susquehanna 100% 100% Upper New York 100% 100% West Virginia 100% 100% Western Pennsylvania 100% 100% Jurisdiction Total Support 98.82% 98.53%

South Central Jurisdiction 2019 2018 Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100% 100% Jurisdiction Total Support 78.24% 85.42% Southeastern Jurisdiction 2019 2018 Florida 100% 100% North Alabama 100% 100% North Carolina 100% 100% Red Bird Missionary 100% 108.76% South Carolina 100% 100% Tennessee 100% 110.35% Virginia 100% Jurisdiction Total Support 93.26% 93.11%

Western Jurisdiction 2019 2018 Alaska United Methodist 100% 100% California Nevada 100% 100% California Pacific 100% Desert Southwest 100% Mountain Sky 100% Oregon Idaho 100% 100% Pacific Northwest 100% 100% Jurisdiction Total Support 93.82% 100%