Nonprofit wants volunteers for village in Zimbabwe

The Ndebele Art Project, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit helping to support the Jabulani village in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, will host a volunteer event from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15 at Mesa Restaurant at The Camp, 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

The organization’s board of directors are six local women who joined family, friends and members of the community to help a small village on the other side of the world. Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to come out, meet the board and learn more about the group’s mission.

The Ndebele are tribal artisans whose livelihood depends on the large giraffe wood carvings they fashion out of hard African mucwa wood, using the simplest of tools in a village that at one time was without electricity or running water.

The Ndebele Art Project has helped fund the installation of a windmill and six water tanks in the village; refurbished a building that now operates a preschool for 40 students; and provided emergency food, education and aid for the villagers.

The evening will feature updates on recent mission trips and plans for upcoming visits. Carvings, food and beverages will be on sale. For more information on the event, call (714) 557-6700 or go to www.napafrica.org.

— Sue Thoensen