House project for Zimbabwe

A house moved from Richmond Mall is to become the focus of a big community project to raise funds to house children at a Zimbabwe orphanage.

In two weeks builders and other tradesmen will start renovating the three-bedroom house which is to be auctioned at the end of next month. Richmond Mall has donated the house to KiwiLink, the mission arm of Christian Churches New Zealand, of which the Annesbrook Church is part. Its members are involved in helping the Khayelihle Children's Village in Zimbabwe.

The house, which has been moved from Talbot St to Crescent St, will get an "extreme makeover" co-ordinated by Mainzeal construction manager Graeme Earl. "He's pulled in a whole heap of favours from people and the response from local contractors who will give their time free has been amazing," said Richmond Mall centre manager David Hill. "It's going to be a huge community project."

The KiwiLink group had been involved in projects in Zimbabwe over 60 years, and the work they did at the orphanage was great, he said. "This project will house up to 24 children."

- © Fairfax NZ News