Friends Of Matthew Rusike Children's Home

This quarter, the newsletter reports a new borehole has been drilled and is relieving some of the pressure caused by the drought. Funds are still needed to make this fully functional – mains electricity is still sporadic and it needs connecting to the solar panels. Please help if you can.

A huge thank you goes out to Solihill Methodist church who raised a fantastic 10k+. And to Debbie and Terry whose silver wedding celebrations expect to raise in excess of 1k.

There are lovely photos from the graduation of the children from the Early Childhood Centre and Grade 1.

And we say thank you to Carol Banham, our Chair of 20 years, who is retiring but will remain a Trustee to support the committe ongoing. Thank you Carol for you dedication and hard work on behalf of the Home.

Our next newsletter is here.

This time we report on some specific financial difficulties facing the Home, difficulties which have meant some very hard choices have had to be made.

The Home also says goodbye to Zvirinane Matore. She has been a huge part of the Home for the last 16 years and was also instrumental in providing us with regular updates about daily life there. We wish you and your family well in your new life.

Please note our new committee members have now stepped into their role, all contact details have been changed accordingly.

This newsletter reports on a worsening situation for the Home. Donations in Kind are dropping as a result of the ongoing drought, rural areas having been particularly hard hit and this is reflected in the amount of support available. And the Big Sunday annual fundraiser while well attended, has not reached pre-pandemic number of attendees and the fundraising reflects this.

Any help you can give is always very much appreciated. A recent legacy from the estate of one of our supporters has arrived just at the right time and we are working with the Home to determine the best way to use this in service of the children. If it feels right for you, please do consider a legacy for the Home as part of your future planning.

Our latest newsletter is available.

This quarter reports from the Home struggle to be positive. Extreme weather has meant crops have failed and a drought is imminent with the second borehole is nearly dry. A new borehole is one of the options being considered.

On a more positive note, results are in for the two students studying A-levels, both passed with flying colours and are now applying for law degrees. And the Home’s sunday school choir has graduated to winning the Connexional trophy (a national competition). Huge congratulations to everyone for all their hard work.

We would like to say a big thank you to Norton Methodists who adopted the Home for their 2023 fundraising project and produced some excellent results.

Please note. Our Chariman is stepping down after 20 years in post. We urgently need someone to take up this role. We are also looking for someone to take on the production of the Newsletter. Please get in touch with our Chairman if you feel you can help with either position.

Our latest newsletter is now available.

In this newsletter, we bid farewell to one of the long serving house parents at the Home. Fungayi Mahlakapane popularly known as Mrs Tunha, retired after 27 years. We thank her for all the love and support she has shown the children in her care.

At the same time, we welcome Audrey Standhaft who has joined the Friends as Secretary, we look forward to working with you. And extend a huge thank you of course to Michael for all the work he has done with us over the years – he will continue to work as a committee member.

The financial situation at the Home continues to be difficult, with staff salaries in arrears, the poultry project having been hit with a virus causing the loss of 200 birds, and buildings in need of essential repair. Projects are in the planning phase for the building work and any financial help you can offer with this will be very much appreciated.

Please note we are looking for a new Chariman as Carol Banham will be stepping down in June 2024 after 20 years in post. If you are interested please contact her directly.

Our latest newsletter is now available.

There is sad news of one of the children who passed in August through diabetes complications. The funeral was shortly after and Esther was laid to rest near her mother.

The newsletter highlights concerns about the impact of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe. Staff salaries have not been paid for 5months and the Home attempt to aleviate some of the hardship with small food hampers, but things are tough for everyone. The poultry and piggery are going well and enable to Home to generate a little income to help in this.

This will be the final year our Chairman, Carol Banham, will be in post. After 20 years service she will be stepping back, though will remain as a Trustee. So we are looking for someone to take on her position. The newsletter describes the scope of the role, much of which is online these days. Please give this careful consideration.