Matthew Rusike Children’s Homes Week 2021

[You can find the full daily programme of speakers at the Coming Soon webpage.]

1. CONTENT
2. PRE-AMBLE BY THE MISSION DIRECTOR
3. DAY 1. MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN’S HOME OVERVIEW
4. DAY 2. CHILDREN IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL
5. DAY 3. RAISED FROM DUST: EXPERIENCE SHARING: PROF COLLET DANDARA
6. DAY 4. LOVE, CARE,WISDOM AND SACRIFICE: Analogy
7. DAY 5. STRUGGLES AND STRIDES OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DIFFERENT CONDITION: DR HAPANYENGWI
8. DAY 6. ACTION TOWARDS CHILDCARE
9. DAY 7. MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN’S HOME CELEBRATION, FUNDRAISING AND WORSHIP SERVICE

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PREFACE
Greetings friends! We meet once again as we celebrate our Mathew Rusike Children’s Home week. We are meeting at a time when families are suffering from various angles emanating from social and economic challenges characterising our lives. We are witnessing an increase in the physical and psychological abuse of children and their vulnerability to all other forms of suffering. This booklet is meant to give us an understanding that our help comes from God as our 2021 theme suggests, therefore we should not lose hope of overcoming all the challenges before us. It is also our hope that this booklet will also help us to appreciate one another as family members and as well help the church to understand its role as an institution in moulding and maintaining the meaning of families as established at our Mathew Rusike Children’s Home. The booklet is also meant to make us understand our caring role as church towards orphans and the vulnerable children of our society in the appreciation of the fact that we are ONE FAMILY OF GOD! May God keep on inspiring us as we wait and hope for his unlimited helping hand.
God bless you.
Rev B Chinhara, Mission Director.

Day 1

DAY 1: MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN’S HOME OVERVIEW: OUR HELP COMES FROM GOD. PSALM 121 vs 1-2
VISION
A Christ-woven nest for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs)
MISSION
We exist to transform lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe through Biblical nurturing, teaching and training into adaptive, responsible God-fearing citizens.
Matthew Rusike Children’s Home is a Methodist Church in Zimbabwe social responsibility initiative following the work of Rev Matthew Jacha Rusike in reaching out to neglected, abandoned, abused orphans and children. We continue in fulfilling this great call and noble cause through running a residential home for children at Epworth and community outreach initiatives with pilot programs in Donga Shurugwi in Midlands and Mzinyathi in Matebeleland South.
Following is a brief outlook on statistics:

Our Children stay in families under the care of a House Parent and on average each house has 12 children. Children are placed into the home through the Government Department of Social Services.

We are sharing these figures so that you have an appreciation of our Home and our needs as we solely depend on your donations and contributions in cash and kind. The following are some of our areas of need.
Support areas:
 Food
 Clothes & shoes for all ages and blankets.
 School fees, stationery support, remedial lessons, skills and mentorship. (We have a child who got 15 points at A Level in Commercials in 2019 who needs scholarship for further studies, 6 are waiting for their O Level results and 1 A Level)
 Health support, counselling and prayers.
 Plumbing, electrical and carpentry repair services.
 Financial support average of US$10 per child per day to cover basic needs.
We thank God that this home has been in existence for a period of over 70 years depending on the help from God. Indeed our help comes from God. Thank you for sparing a moment going through this booklet. Do your part in this great mission of transforming lives of orphans and vulnerable children. Your contribution will make a great difference.
Thought of the Day: Remember Children during these difficult moments.

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Day 2

DAY 2: CHILDREN IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL. EXODUS 1 vs 15-16, MATTHEW 2 vs 16-18, PSALM 124 vs 1-8.
Horrific stories of child neglect, abuse, torture and murder are always awash in the print, electronic and social media in the world in general and in our beloved country Zimbabwe in particular. In 2020, Zimbabwean community woke up shell-shocked by the heart rending news of the gruesome suspected ritual murder of a 12 year Mrewa boy. The Chivhu story of a mother who butchered and burnt her four children following a marital dispute left the whole nation dumbfounded. A Chiredzi man slaughtered his children and wife before hanging himself on a tree. These are a few examples of the reported cases and yet there are numerous cases that go unreported.
Coming closer home, in our own communities, in our institutions, in our churches, in our homes silent tears drain down the smooth cheeks day and night, in some cases with no one daring with the adult world too busy responding to the more pressing challenges of the day.
From whence shall our Help come?
The world is riddled with challenges, top on the range during our time is the Covid-19 pandemic. This has brought the whole world to a standstill. Schools, kindergartens, nursery homes, play centres, jumping castles and Sunday school halls for children have literally been shut down to the bewilderment of these innocent souls who just wonder why the world is so cruel to that extent.
From whence shall our Help come?
Apart from the disruption of children’s activities and engagement, children are at the receiving end of the effects and aftermath of any social disorder. In many times they suffer as a result of actions that have got nothing to do with them. When parents disagree, fight and divorce the children suffer. When the parents lose their jobs the children suffer. When the price of bread and fuel go up the children feel it. When politicians fight for power and supremacy it is in most cases women and children who bear the brunt. When natural calamities befall communities the suffering of children is more severe. In the midst of this ravaging Covid-19 pandemic children are at the mercy of gruelling misery.
Even during Biblical times, the tune was the same. During the time of the Israelites under bondage in Egypt, baby boys were to go through the gallows at the decree of Pharaoh in a bid to control the population of the slaves. Moses escaped through the reeds. At the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Herod unleashed a brigade wiping out all babies two years and below in a bid to safeguard his throne. Our Lord took refuge in Egypt, hence, Africa is the cradle of Christianity.
In the midst of all this turmoil, the children are saying, “we lift up our eyes unto the mountains; where does our help come from? Our help comes from God”.

DISCUSSION POINTS:
1 What challenges are children facing in the prevailing Covid19 environment?
2 What is the role of parents, families, Churches, Communities and Government in times of crisis?
3 What actions are you going to take towards alleviating the plight of children?

Thought of the Day: Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward.

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Day 3

DAY 3: RAISED FROM DUST: EXPERIENCE SHARING: PROF COLLET DANDARA. LUKE 1 vs 50-52.
“Let me share a little experience.
For A level I had put application at Bernard Mizeki and Waddilove and was accepted. When results were published my father was just retrenched from DDF and there was no money for me to proceed to school. My mother brewed home-made beer, the whole process took up to about 20 days. (kunyika chimera, kuomesa, kukuya, kuvamba doro, kusvina nekutengesa).
When I finally went to claim my place at the two schools, alas my place had already been filled. To make matters worse, I did not have the boarding fee. The two Headmasters told me that there was nothing they could do to help me.
I proceeded to the capital city Harare to look for employment. A relative who was a cobbler accepted to take care of me. I started staying with him and to learn his trade. He was working at Machipisa shopping centre. After three days of training, I could repair a shoe. I can still fix a shoe.
I was waiting for replies from my job application letter from the likes of Coca Cola and other companies. One day, the Headmaster from Highfield High came with his shoe for repair. He gave me his shoe and I sorted it to his satisfaction.
When I finished fixing his shoe the Headmaster asked me ‘you are a young child, what are you doing here?’ I told him my story and inquired on my results and I handed him over my result slip. He asked me if I was still interested in school. I told him that I was interested and he told me to report to his school the following morning. The following morning I went to the school and immediately he offered me a place to do A Level Sciences.
The challenge came when he asked me to pay the fees. I narrated my ordeal. The Headmaster said he wanted to talk to my father. The following morning I boarded the bus from Mbare to my rural home in Sadza. Fortunate enough my mother had enough malt to brew beer. In no time the process began and I was actively involved during sales. When we raised enough for bus fare for two people, my father and I set for Harare.
The Headmaster was surprised why it has taken so long to come back. I explained to him that we had to brew beer in order to raise bus fare for myself and my father. As I was explaining immediately I saw streams of tears flowing from the Headmaster’s face. He told me to excuse myself as he talked with my father. I was offered a bursary on the condition that I pass my termly examinations. My father was asked to raise funds for my uniform.
I did my A Level studies following this breakthrough. I was staying from one relative to another. The pocket money I received from well-wishers and relatives I would keep it and use it to buy clothes for my parents and siblings.
I am proud of the combined love of Africans who to this day I have not done enough to thank them.
This shaped who I am, I just want where possible, to assist someone just to break the cycle of poverty. I grew up in abject poverty but with pride as I acknowledge the hard work my parents put in… praying for me. I was aware that our situation needed something extraordinary, and it was, to be a book warrior from early age and the rest is history. I don’t have much at all but I am thankful to the Lord who showed love through these great African people including my mother, who always had to make a plan for our survival.
Lastly I want to quote the Zulu phrase, Umuntu, ngumuntu, ngabantu. I am because we are”!!
Article by Prof Collet Dandara (Professor of Human Genetics at Capetown University (Former Student of Neshangwe High School in Chikomba District Mashonaland East province) Posted on 10 Feb 2021 WhatsApp Neshangwe High, group chat.

LESSONS
1 Loving, care and sacrifice
 Demonstration of love care and sacrifice for the mother who did everything possible to see her son get educated. She went on to the extent of brewing and selling home-made beer to support her son.
 Relatives who provided accommodation and support to Collet while he was pursuing his studies in the city. The first relative went on to train Collet how to repair shoes, giving him survival skills.
2 Dedication, Determination, Perseverance and Focus
 Collet did not despise his background, he understood his predicament
 Given the chance to receive his right to education he did not disappoint, he grabbed the opportunity with dedication, determination, perseverance and focus
 He displayed his character when he helped his mother during the beer enterprise, when he joined his relative who was a shoe cobbler and in no time, has mastered the art and the education results sums it all.
3 Motivation to change lives
 Collet’s mother played a key role in setting the pace for her son’s future.
 The Highfield High school Headmaster was a game changer in the life of Collet. He saw great potential in a poor young cobbler and played his part to raise a Professor.
4 What more lessons can you draw from this true story?
5 What plan of action do you come up with towards children in need?

Thought of the Day: I have no greater joy than this to hear that my children are living according to the truth. 1 John 1:4.

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Day 4

DAY 4: LOVE, CARE, WISDOM, SACRIFICE AND PERSEVERANCE: ANALOGY ISAIAH 43 vs 1-2, MATTHEW 19 vs 13-15.
A monkey had her little one fallen in an empty round concrete tank and she was shrilling and failing to climb the slippery wall. The mother monkey could not leave her little one to die in the pit. However it was very difficult to rescue her child. She tried to stretch her hand but it was too short to reach out to the crying baby who was on the floor of the pit. She restlessly moved around the circumference of the pit with no success. The baby monkey made several attempts to climb up the wall but, poor monkey kept on slipping back to the floor of the pit.
After several unsuccessful attempts an idea dawned to the mother monkey. She swung down the wall of the pit. Holding on from the top with her fore-paws, her body in the pit and stretched her long tail down the pit. The clever baby read the rescue plan and in no time, jumped to get hold of the tail of her mother. The first attempt was not successful. The baby tried again and this time got it right. The baby held on to the tail and the mother was on the move out of the pit. Eureka! It worked, the baby monkey was rescued from the pit. http://www.sunnyskyz.com accessed 27 July 2020.

CHILD CARE LESSONS
Love and care
You cannot substitute love and care for children. At Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, Love and Child care are some of our core values. Love and care compels you to do everything possible towards enhancing the best interest of the child. You cannot turn away from a child who is in need of help. It simply does not work.
Wisdom
We are living in a complex world where children are faced with multifaceted challenges and more often than not fall into the pits of oblivion. You need to employ your five senses and sanitize your medulla with a bit of wisdom to rescue them out. This helps you to study and understand the situation children are in, weigh the possible solutions and select the best options. Execute the plan of action with precision and accuracy.
Sacrifice and perseverance
In childcare, we must be prepared to take risks. Child rescue is not a child’s play. It is a delicate exercise capable of injuring the child, or drowning both the child and the care giver. It is not a job for the faint heart for it requires a lot of sacrifice and perseverance. What is encouraging is that sacrifice and perseverance for childcare is not in vain. It is rewarding to touch people’s lives, especially the helpless children and give them a future.

Discussion
a. What are some of the pits that children normally fall in during their life journey?
b. What is the role of those in the adult world to rescue children?
c. What actions are you coming up with from this lesson?

Thought of the Day: Can a woman forget her nursing child…” Isaiah 49:15-16

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Day 5

DAY 5: STRUGGLES AND STRIDES OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DIFFERENT CONDITIONS. PSALM 139 vs 14, JOHN 9 vs 1-3, and MATTHEW 18 vs 10.
When you have a “regular child”, you feel reasonably assured that class participation and decent study habits will result in good grades. These kids have close friends. They get invited to participate in social things like dances and weekend gatherings. They make the teams, auditioned organizations and clubs.
But when you have a child with certain differences, this is often not the case. Learning may take longer, both academically and socially. Despite their tremendous efforts, results are often a fraction of their peers and social acceptance is fleeting, setting them up for painful comparisons and bitter frustration. Instead of a fun and fulfilling experience, school can become a breeding ground for depression and anxiety, and assignments a battle ground at home. It is exhausting for parent and child alike.
This is the week of SPED (Special Education), Autism, Dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) awareness.
For all the children who struggle every day to succeed in a world that does not recognize their gifts and talents and for those who are walking beside them, please let this be a gentle reminder to be kind and accepting of ALL people.
Recognize that the playing field is not always a level surface.
Children who learn differently are not weird. They are merely gifted in ways that our society does not value enough. Yet they want what everyone wants: to be accepted!!
Article by Dr G Hapanyengwi
http://www.facebook.com accessed, 29 January 2021, 0724am.
We need to understand, appreciate and accept children who live with disabilities. Children are right by their nature vulnerable. What a burden will it be to a neglected, abandoned, abused child living with disability? At Matthew Rusike children’s home we have two children living with disabilities. We have these children in our homes, in our churches and in our communities.
Practical lessons shared by Dr G Hapanyengwi on the above extract.
LESSONS
a. Understand and love them
b. Treat them as individuals created in the image of God, they are fearfully and wonderfully made, when God created them He paused and said “This is excellent” Genesis 1 vs 31. Psalm 139 vs14.
c. Do not compare them with other children, appreciate them as they are.
d. Accept that learning may take longer both academically and socially and assistive devices makes a great difference where possible.
e. Discover their talents and nurture them around their talents. You may be amazed to discover the treasure God has deposited in these children.
f. Always remember: He was born blind so the power of God is seen in him” John 9 vs 3.
ACTION
Special assignment to a child living with disability living within your vicinity.
Thought of the Day: Be careful that you don’t look down on one of these little ones. I say to you that their angels in heaven are always looking into the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10.

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Day 6

DAY 6: ACTION TOWARDS CHILDCARE. MATTHEW 25 vs 35-39.
It is a day for action as we participate in different ways towards changing the lives of vulnerable children within our communities.
 Identify vulnerable children and assess their needs.
 Come up with a program of action.
 Monitor the outcomes.
 Report to your relevant church committees your acts of grace.
Thought of the Day: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, naked and you clothed me, when you saw me sick or in prison you visited me”. Matthew 25 vs 35-39.

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Day 7

DAY 7: MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN’S HOME CELEBRATION, FUNDRAISING AND WORSHIP SERVICE.
OUR HELP COMES FROM GOD. PSALM 121 vs 1-2
 We are in the period of Covid-19 and it may be difficult to converge at MRCH as per tradition but we can still use on-line platforms to reach out to each other.
 It’s a day of worship and thanksgiving.
 We are also raising donations in cash and kind to support programming work at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in Epworth Harare, Community childcare centre in Donga Shurugwi Midlands province and Mzinyathi in Matebeleland South Province.
Once again remember our areas of need:
 Food
 Clothes & shoes for all ages and blankets
 School fees, stationery support, remedial lessons, skills and mentorship. (We have a child who got 15 points at A Level in Commercials in 2019 who needs scholarship for further studies, 6 are waiting for their O Level results and 1 A Level)
 Health support, counselling and prayers
 Plumbing, electrical and carpentry repair services
 Financial support average of US$10 per child per day to cover basic needs
Banking Details:
Account name: Matthew Rusike Children’s Home
Account numbers: Nostro: 21573675029
Domestic FCA: 21573675142
ZWL Account: 21576290535
Mobile banking: *151*2*2*74930*Amount#
Material collected and prepared by the National Director Rev L. Mutendzwa

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