Matthew Rusike Children’s Home 2025 Booklet
THEME: “Trusting in God all circumstances” Habakkuk 3:17-18
Select:
ACRONOMY
| CBCCP | Community Based Child Care Program |
| PVO | Private Voluntary Organisation |
| MRCH | Matthew Rusike Children’s Home |
| MYD | Methodist Young Disciples |
| MARA | Matthew Rusike Academy |
| ECD | Early Childhood Development |
PREFACE
As people called Methodists, Zimbabwean conference it is that special time again that we pause and reflect on the work of grace started by Rev Matthew Jacha Rusike looking after disadvantaged children in different contexts. It is our God given obligation to be actively involved in the caring work and provide a better present environment and a promising future.
The overwhelming challenges the society is facing, church included often overshadows and suppresses the yawning and gasping of vulnerable children due to hunger, despair, abandonment, neglect, dugs, brutality and all forms of abuse. These forms of vice happening in the families, homes, church, schools, villages, towns, streets, countryside and wherever there is a human settlement.
We find solace as the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe community in the words of the prophet Habakkuk ” though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes in the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior” Indeed we trust in God in all circumstances. We are aware of the deep challenges our Home is facing that is threatening to the core of its very existence. Chief among them being the under-funding that is crippling operations to the extent of closing some houses and reducing staff compliment with a huge negative impact on the very child we want to protect.
In spite of all these challenges, we can only praise God for the good news that some of our children are breaking barriers. Three are now in Turkey happily employed, six are in different universities pursuing various degree programs among which one girl is studying Law and 12 are in Vocational Skills Training programs while two passed Advanced Level with flying colours. The Early Child Development center is expanding into a primary school status. Our community based childcare centres in Donga Shurugwi and Mzinyathi in Umzingwane continue to offer support to vulnerable children in the countryside.
We recognize and thank the critical support given by Friends of Matthew Rusike Children’s Home UK, Totterngram, Bakers inn, Glow Petroleum, MCZ-Australian Fellowship, USA Fellowship, Botswana Fellowship, Ire-land Fellowship, South-Africa Fellowship, United-Arab-Emirates Fellowship, Canada Fellowship, Shengen Fellowship. MCZ Schools, Youth and Children’s Ministry, Methosoc, Ruwadzano/Manyano, MCU, WA, Men’s Fellowship, Districts, Circuits, Societies, Fellowship classes, members of the newly formed Matthew Rusike Associates, Care-leavers, families, individual members, Volunteers, Coordinators, the Board and staff members.
Let us come together once again for the Matthew Rusike Week which is running from 9-15 June. It’s time to share, reflect, pray and mobilise all forms of resources to support our children. Let’s strive to attend the Big Sundays on 8 June at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in Epworth, 15 June in Donga and Mzinyathi.
Acting Mission Director Rev Dr Muzenda
DAY 1 MRCH BRIEF OVERVIEW, STRUCTURE AND MISSION STATEMENT
1) Introduction
This booklet was prepared to be used alongside bible study lessons and reflections during the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home week which has been set for 9-15 June 2025 according to the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe calendar of events. A deliberate effort has been made to provide basic information on Matthew Rusike Children’s Home historical background, structure, mission, program areas, statistics, operations, appeals for support and some success stories told from the beneficiaries’ perspective. The purpose of this booklet is to give the reader a clearer view of what Matthew Rusike Children’s Home stands for, what they are doing and a passionate appeal for support. Welcome and take your right place and act accordingly.
2) Brief Background
Matthew Rusike Children’s Home MRCH is a Methodist Church in Zimbabwe run institution founded by Rev Matthew Jacha Rusike in the 1950s and registered as a Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO 463/68). The Home has been in existence for 57 years from the year of registration changing lives for thousands of children in difficult circumstances. Currently the Home operates a multifaceted programme that combines residential care, foster care and community based orphan care schemes. Children are referred to it by the Department of Social Development (Government arm that regulates the institution), having been found to be in need of care as a result of neglect, abuse, abandonment and other causes. The residential care facility has the capacity to take 100 children of ages 0-18 years on board but is downsizing to 60 due to financial constraints.
3) MRCH Position in the Methodist Church Structure
a) The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe is the responsible authority.
b) The Home operates under MCZ Strategic pillar 2 Enhancing MCZ Social Responsibility (the Social Gospel arm: Church in Society) as espoused in Matthew 25: 35-40. The Broad objective being: To Promote welfare for orphans and vulnerable children. James 1:27. Children are at the centre of this caring ministry following the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who always displayed a heart for children in His ministry. Matthew 19: 14 and Mark 10:14.
c) MRCH operates under Christian Social Responsibility committee of the church at all levels of the Church ties: Society, Circuit, District and at Connexional level.
d) A Board of Governors selected by the Church provides supervision to the Management team led by the National Director who is responsible for the day to day running of the institution.
e) Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Coordinators/ Childcare coordinators are the voluntary foot soldiers who assist in mobilizing resources to support the childcare programs. They play a very important role of linking the Church and Society with the activities for MRCH and support childcare ministry.
4) Mission Statement
a) Vision: A Christ woven nest for orphans and vulnerable children
b) Mission: We exist to transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe through biblical nurturing, teaching and training into adaptive, responsible, self-reliant God fearing citizens.
5) Target group are children
i) In the church (those in our Youth groups: Sunday Scholars, GCUs, BCUs and MYDs). It is possible that there are children in very difficult circumstances even among those who come to our churches every Sunday. It is therefore always essential that child profiling is done on the flock that comes to our church so that the church understands them better and minister to them meaningfully.
ii) Under residential care at MRCH Epworth and those under our Community Based Childcare Program in Donga and Mzinyathi. These are children under the direct care of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and the church has got a moral and legal obligation to look after. The legal part comes into effect with regard to children placed at our residential care centre in Epworth through a court order. The Church promised to the State to do everything possible within her means to provide for the children placed under her care.
iii) Children in our communities (Homeless and disadvantaged children). The Church cannot turn a deaf ear to the voice of children crying in the wilderness nor cast a blind eye to children in difficulties in the local communities and in the streets.
6) Collaboration
MRCH works with various stakeholders who are involved with childcare work from the Church like Youth and Children Ministry, Gender and Safe Guarding portfolio, MeDRA and organisations outside the church complimenting each other all in the best interest of the child.
Bible Reflections
True and pure religion is that of looking after orphans and widows. James 1: 27
Responding to social needs, Faith without works is dead. James 2:1-20
Best interest of the children first. Mark 10: 14-16
Judgement Day. Matthew 25:35-40
DAY 2 CHILDREN UNDER RESIDENTIAL CARE IN HARARE EPWORTH
1. MRCH has got 8 Housing units/families open to look after children and each House is manned by a Caregiver/ House Parent. In other words there are 8 family units at MRCH and each family unit has got an average of 12 children, boys and girls of different age groups from 0 to 18 years. The Home has gone for two years in a roll with a salary backlog and other statutory obligations of 6/7 months. In a bid to contain the costs, the Home is going through a downsizing program. We are working closely with our Regulating Authority; the Department of Social Development on the process of reducing our capacity from 100 children to 60, (8 Houses to 5). This is a gradual process which we are monitoring cautiously. Even though we are reducing our capacity, we remain sensitive to cases of emergencies that require our attention in the protection of children.
2. Types of Children taken to Matthew Rusike Children’s Home
a) Neglected/dumped children: Neglect often occur when the parents or guardians struggle to make ends meet and leave children to fend for themselves. Sometimes they are left in the maternity ward soon after delivery or thrown into dump sites, toilets or in the streets.
b) Abused children: Some of the children are victims of sexual, physical, emotional, economic and spiritual abuse perpetrated by family members, peers and strangers.
c) Disadvantaged children: these are children coming out of difficult circumstances more to do with financial capabilities and social opportunities.
d) Children born from incest relationships: these are children born out of sex between close relatives like brother, sister or a parent.
e) Orphaned children: these are children with one (single orphaned) or both (double orphaned) parents who have died.
f) Homeless children: these are children roaming around the streets or communities without a decent place to stay with or without parents.
3. Statistics for Children under residential care at MRCH Epworth
a. Age distribution Chart
b. Educational statistics
| LEVEL OF EDUCATION | GIRLS | BOYS | Total |
| ECD A | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ECD B | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| GRADE 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| GRADE 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| GRADE 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| GRADE 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| GRADE 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| GRADE 6 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| GRADE 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Primary learners Total | 27 | 21 | 48 |
| FORM 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| FORM 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| FORM 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| FORM 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| FORM 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FORM 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Secondary Learners Total | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Grand Total | 33 | 28 | 61 |
c. Early Child Development Centre MARA (Matthew Rusike Academy) Statistics
| Level | Boys | Girls | Total |
| ECD A | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| ECD B | 14 | 9 | 23 |
| Grade 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Grade 2 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Grand Total | 28 | 31 | 59 |
The Home runs an early child development centre that prepares the young ones for formal primary school. The Home is in the process of up-grading the ECD into an infant school catering for ECD A, B, Grades 1 and 2. Out of the 59 enrolled in 2025, 5 are from Matthew Rusike Residential care centre and 54 children come from the surrounding local community. Long term vision is to have a full-fledged primary school. Currently we have 4 learning halls. We require 5 more learning halls and educational support tools like text books, stationary, computers/tablets etc.
d. Matthew Rusike College
The Home owns a College offering educational services from Form 1 to 6. It is run by an independent Board and a school management team. It has a total enrolment of 424. The focus is on the establishment of a full-fledged boarding school. The College support Matthew Rusike Children’s Home through a 6% levy from school fees charged.
4. Matthew Rusike Clinic
The Children’s Home runs a clinic which is manned by a qualified Health Professional and offer health care to children and staff.
5. How do they come to Matthew Rusike Children’s Home?
All the children at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home are placed by the Department of Social Development through a court order or on place of safety.
a) Court Order: This is a legal document produced after a court determination that is used to place a child under institutional care when all other efforts have been made to find alternative care plans. Normally the court order is valid for 3 years after which a review is made and if there are no changes in circumstances the court order is renewed up until the child is 18 years old and due for discharge.
b) Place of Safety: A child placed under institutional care on a place of safety is a short term, temporary arrangement when a child is removed from a place of danger while better options are being worked out. This is normally a few days up to 21 days.
c) Placement of children at MRCH through both court order and on place of safety is done through consultations between the institution and the Department of Social Development. Some of the considerations by the receiving institution are:
Availability of a place based on the age and sex of the child.
Circumstances surrounding the victim and the availability of resources to mitigate and capacity of the caregivers to handle the case.
d) Children placed at MRCH are allocated into residential care Houses and taken care of following the National Residential Care Standards, Childcare Act, MRCH Childcare Policy, MCZ Safe-guarding policy and all other protocols relevant under the protection of children in Zimbabwe.
6. Visiting the Home
i) The Home is open to visitors during business hours following regulations by the Department of Social Development.
ii) Visitors who want to interact with the children must get a written clearance pass from the Department of Social Development.
iii) Visitors are encouraged to treat children with love, dignity and respect.
Bible Reflection
“He said let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14
DAY 3 FOSTER PARENTING PROGRAM
1) a) Definitions
i) Foster care: – it is a TEMPORARY living arrangement for abused, neglected and dependent children who need a safe place to live when their parents or another relative cannot take care of them
ii) Adoption: It is when a child is PERMANENTLY moved to a new home with a new family. These new parents are now LEGALLY responsible for the child and have all parental rights as if they were the biological parents.
b) The Foster Parenting program was established to run alongside and support the residential care facility at Epworth. 35 Foster parents were trained, registered with the Department of Social Development and take children during school holidays.
c) Biblical example of a unique Foster care and adoption Exodus 1:16-22 The biblical story of Moses ‘childhood provides us with a miraculous example of Foster care and adoption. Moses was born during the time of persecution of male Hebrew children in a bid to control the population of the Israelites in Egypt. His mother hid him in the river until he was discovered by Pharoah’s daughter who loved him and sought to keep him. She adopted him as her child and unknowingly employed Moses’ mother as a caregiver for the child. When Moses had grown up, he was handed over to his adoptive mother (Pharaoh’s daughter) by the Foster mother cum biological mother.
d) The MRCH Foster care program is largely concentrated in rural circuits and has been in place for over 20 years now. Pioneering circuits are (Chideme, Sadza, Kwenda, Hwedza, Marondera) in Marondera District and Chivhu circuit in Harare West District, Kwekwe, Chiundura and Gweru. A handful of families from Harare West and East Districts have foster homes also.
e) It is an on-going program and every year new foster parents are assessed, trained and accredited by the Department of Social Development.
2. How does one become a Foster Parent?
Do you have a heart for children? Are you 31 years and above? Do you have a decent shelter? Can you provide the basic needs for the child?
Indicate your desire through the Society/Circuit Childcare Coordinator or your Minister/ Reverend.
Names are submitted to Matthew Rusike Children’s Home
MRCH will arrange for a an assessment with the Department of Social Development
You will be required to attend an orientation workshop
You become a registered Foster care Parent
You are allocated a child/children whom you can take during school holidays/special weekends.
3. Circuits can also request for a child from MRCH on MRCH May ask a circuit to look after a child in terms of:
School fees, stationery, text books, laptops and other learning requirements.
School uniforms
Academic trips
Birthday presents
Circuits can support the child whilst the child remains under institutional care at MRCH.
Communication will be done between the Home and circuit through the Childcare Coordinator in the Circuit and the Social Worker at MRCH.
4) Families/church groups/organisations or individuals can also support a child just as in (3) above.
5) Unofficial Foster care concept
This is normally practised in our traditional family settings when care and support is given to children who are in need by family members.
The support can be given even if the parent(s) are alive. May be they may be facing some challenges and relatives chip in to fill in the gap.
This can also come in when children are orphaned as a result of death of their parents.
Community members can also provide support to children in need in the community with or without parents.
It is part of Hunhu/Ubuntu to take care of those in need, children, the elderly, those living with disabilities, persons who are ill, hungry and strangers, hence the Shona saying “Mweni haapedzi dura” ( Encouraging family members to provide food to strangers/visitors for they do not consume all)
Bible Reflections
“And anyone who welcome a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me” Matthew 18: 5
“…………bring justice to the fatherless” Isaiah 1: 17
“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” Romans 8: 23
DAY 4 MRCH COMMUNITY BASED CHILDCARE PROGRAM
The Home runs a community based childcare program spearheaded by the Donga and Mzinyathi projects in Midlands and Matebeleland South provinces respectively. Donga centre is situated at Chachacha in Shurugwi and is catering for 83 children under educational support. 23 Children receives school fees support ranging from $25Usd-$30Usd per term per child. Mzinyathi is situated in Umzingwane district and is also focusing on educational needs as well as other requirements for orphans in the community.
i. CBCCP Operations: The Community Based Childcare Program (CBCCP) was initiated as a response to the growing number of OVCs in the society. In line with modern trends which have proven that children grow better when assisted in their natural environment as compared to those placed in an institution, MRCH has managed to decentralize its operations to various Methodist Church in Zimbabwe Districts throughout the country.
The CBCCP are done with the help of community care givers who worked tirelessly on a voluntary basis in their communities. The Volunteers undergo a specialised training and refresher workshops run by the MRCH in collaboration with the Department of Social Development to equip them with the requisite skills in childcare work. The MRCH is thus effectively consolidating its CBCCP in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo and Hwange Districts.
The CBCCP in Gweru District covers the following MCZ circuits, Gweru, Holy Trinity, Mkoba North, Mkoba South, Mvuma, Pakame, Shamba, Shurugwi, Senga, Silobela and Vungwi. The Childcare Development Officer who was deployed in the District is currently staying at the Childcare centre near Chachacha Business centre. 83 children have been identified from nearby primary schools namely Makandire, Matamba, Mavendzenge, Mhangami, Ndawora, Vungwi and Wida. The children are given stationery (Writing and Maths exercise books, ball points, pencils and rulers) and 22 of them are also covered with school fees. The selection of children is done by the school selection committee and are not based on religion, race, sex, tribe or creed. The program is ment to benefit all deserving children.
Mzinyathi centre was built in 2004 in Umzingwane District, Matebeleland South Province. Initially it was to house OVCs but lack of funding prevented this. It then adopted the modern trend of looking after OVCs in their own environment. The centre has faced challenges, building was vandalised during the time it was idle and there is no source of permanent water. Since 2022, refurbishing work has started with the aim of reviving the centre and make it self-sustaining so as to cover OVCs.
MRCH regards institutional care as the intervention of last resort in line with the Children’s Act and the National Orphan Care Policy. We believe in family based care. Where this has failed we encourage community based care. We therefore undertake to raise resources to support the remnants of the children’s families and strengthen available community support system wherever possible.
Matthew Rusike Donga and Mzinyathi Centres offer the following:
Child and family Counselling
Training and provision of support for child headed families, care givers and Foster parents
Health, hygiene checks and medical support
Provision of school fees, stationery
Supplement food, clothing and blankets
Short term place of safety for children at risk
Day care services for OVCs and provision of Early Child Education and training
ii. Infrastructure: The two centres Donga and Mzinyathi have solar powered building structures that require repairs and maintenance, painting, burglar bars and fencing for security.
iii. Projects
The two centres require solar powered borehole for income generating projects to be run well. Both have drilled boreholes that require installations.
Funds raised from the income generating projects will be channelled towards supporting programming.
Both centres are working towards poultry projects
A pig sty was built for the piggery project at Donga.
iv. Wish list for the two centres
Solar pumping system for the drilled boreholes
Drip equipment for 1 acre
6 beds and linen
Food provisions for 100 children weekly
School fees for 50 children
School uniforms
Stationery and text books
Children’s toys
Roof repairs
Painting of the buildings
Fencing of the premises
Children’s toilets
Our two Community Based Childcare centres Donga and Mzinyathi are our flagship in the Church and Community partnership in childcare work bringing together various stakeholders that include voluntary care givers from the church and community, trained social workers from Matthew Rusike and Government, community leaders, school authorities and other organisations involved with welfare for children. The success of this model will provide a better set up for childcare compared to institutionalisation.
Bible Reflections
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of the children is their fathers” Proverbs 17: 6
DAY 5 FORMS OF SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE CHARITY WORK
1 FOMRCH- Friends of Matthew Rusike Children’s Home is a charity organization which was formed in United Kingdom for purposes of raising funds towards childcare support for the residential care in Epworth. Organizations and individuals can get in touch with Executive committee members if they want to give contributions, support or information on membership.
2 MRCH Associates– Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Associates is a newly established fundraising arm for the Children’s Home open to local and diaspora individuals. Membership is open to individuals who have a passion for child welfare and a provided with a constitution and a membership form. Members are expected to pay an annual membership fee of $10 and monthly contributions of $2.
3 MRCH Alumni– Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Alumni is an organization formed by Care-leavers ( Adults who were raised at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home)
Vision:
It is the vision of the MRCA to provide assistance and improve the quality of life for its former and current children in need of care at the children’s home and its partner community based initiatives.
Mission:
MRCA seeks to create and maintain a therapeutic, safe and predictable environment in order to address the physical, spiritual, emotional, educational and social needs of former and current children in need of care recognizing their basic human rights.
4 Corporates support/Partners
Corporates, Partners and members of the Business community supports Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in various ways.
Some organizations give free funds while others target specific areas like repairs and maintenance, infrastructure development or projects.
Some organizations commit specific funds for specific period of engagement and others give unpronounced amounts or recurrences.
5 Churches/Families/Individuals
Churches play a very significant role supporting MRCH Childcare work both at the residential care unit and in the Community Based Childcare initiatives.
Marondera, Harare East, Harare West and Kadoma Districts are given annual budgets of food, toiletry, clothes and stationery requirements for the support of MRCH Residential care. Each circuit in the 4 districts is given a portion of the budget and mobilize these resources from February to May. The items are submitted on or before the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Big Sunday which is normally held in June. The non-perishables are expected to last up until the following year June.
Masvingo, Kadoma and Gweru Districts focus on supporting Community Childcare centre at Donga in Shurugwi while Hwange and Bulawayo Districts are expected to support the Community Childcare centre at Mzinyathi in Umzingwane.
MCZ Diaspora Fellowships are expected to give financial support to the Home according to their will and capacity.
Church organizations like Ruwadzano/Manyano, Women’s Association, MCU, Men’s Fellowship, Youth and Children’s Ministry also support the Home in various ways through cash, kind and service at various levels from Society, Circuit, District and Connexional Level.
Church fellowship groups, families and individuals are also free to contribute to the noble cause through cash, kind and service.
6 Fundraising Activities:
a The traditional fundraising activities are:
a Matthew Rusike Big Sunday- done every year in June
b Matthew Rusike Half Marathon-this is done when it is convenient, this year it is in September.
c Matthew Rusike Dinner Dance-Always observed in October (24 October)
d Matthew Rusike Golf-When it is convenient
7 Donations are in form of Cash, Kind and Service
8 Adopt a House concept
Individuals, families, church groups, circuits can select a House at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home and give support to that particular House in terms of the specific needs of that House.
House needs vary from furniture, repairs, toys and entertainment gadgets for children, stoves, beds, linen, kitchen utensils, food and clothes. Birthday parties can be arranged for children in these Houses.
9. Volunteer Service include:
a Relief Caregivers: these are voluntary care givers who freely offer their services to look after children under residential care for a few days, weeks or month to cover the gaps when MRCH Care givers (House Parents) will be on off-days, sick leave or vacation leave.
b Childcare/MRCH Coordinators: these are voluntary foot soldiers of MRCH who are elected under the church structures at Society, Circuit and District levels whose major duties centres on supporting resource mobilization and fundraising activities for childcare work.
c Students on attachment/Graduate Trainees (Social Workers, Finance, Marketing and Agriculture): MRCH engages students on attachment or Post Graduate Trainees from universities and colleges giving them an opportunity to gain work experience.
d Health Workers
e Individuals with various skills like (Teachers, Counsellors, Coaches, Mentors etc)
Bible Reflection: “…And you saw me hungry…..” Matthew 25: 35-40
DAY 6 PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
a Plan ahead of time activities for this day
b Choose a centre/home/family that require childcare support
c Identify the needs
d Mobilize resources
e Make your contribution
f Remember the three categories of children in need of care
i) those within our churches
ii) those in the community where we live
iii) children under our care centres in Epworth, Donga and Mzinyathi.
DAY 7 BIG SUNDAY
a) 8 June 2025 is the official date for Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Day celebrations for Harare West, Harare East and Marondera District who are converging at the Residential Care centre in Harare Epworth.
b) 15 June 2025 is also the official date for MRCH Day celebrations for Bulawayo and Hwange Districts that are converging at Mzinyathi Community Childcare Centre in Umzingwani District in Matebeleland South Province.
c) The Donga MRCH Celebrations as supported by Masvingo, Gweru and Kadoma Districts will be held as per circuit arrangements.
d) Methodist Church Schools as per their normal practice will be visiting and meeting with children in Epworth on 15 June 2025. We expect Thekwane High to support Mzinyathi Community Care centre and Pakame High to support Donga Community Care centre.
Banking Details for Financial Support:
First Capital Bank Nostro Account 21573675029
Domestic FCA 21573675142
ZIG Account 21576290535
Branch
NGO Centre, Mt Pleasant, Harare.
Swift code FRCGZWHX
Corresponding bank Crown Agent, London, CRASGBZL
Ecocash Merchant code *151*2*2*74930*Amount# Matthew Rusike Children’s Home
ZESA Account for tokens 37131484711
MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN’S HOME SUCCESS STORIES
a. MRCH Children in University and Skills Training
Our children are doing further education and skills training from a number of universities, training centres and colleges as indicated in the tables below:
i) University education
| Name | University | Degree Program | Level |
| Simba Mukoyi | University of Zimbabwe | Forensic Accounting | 4th Year Semester 2 |
| Kudakwashe Tazivaruno | Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University | Social Work | 4th Year Semester 2 |
| Julius Mbewe | Great Zimbabwe University | Bachelor of Education | 2nd Year Semester 2 |
| Blessing Chamunorwa | University of Zimbabwe | Mass Media & Communication | 2nd Year Semester 2 |
| Marthar Savanhu | University of Zimbabwe | Social Work | 1st Year Semester 2 |
| Patience Tazivaruno | University of Zimbabwe | Bachelor of Law | 1st Year Semester 2 |
| Tapiwa Goronga | United Theological College | Theology | 2nd Year |
ii) Skills Training
| Institution | Boys | Girls | Total |
| Chaminuka VTC (Bindura) | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Zambuko Trust (Hatfield) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Young Africa (Epworth) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Baking school (City-Hre) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kaguvi Training (Gweru) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Beauty Therapy Shop (Hre) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 4 | 12 |
i) One Child under our Community Childcare support in Donga also did extremely well under difficult circumstances scoring 9 units at Grade 7.
ii) Our 2 children who wrote Advanced Level examinations in November did us proud. The boy, Paul who was at Kwenda Mission came out with 11 points Commercials. The girl, Lillian who was at Matthew Rusike College came out with 13 points Arts. They are looking for places for University studies.
iii) 3 former children after doing their skills training successfully applied and got employed in Turkey through the assistants from Destiny Helpers Trust (An organisation started by Methodist members), they are doing well there.
iv) Our child Julius Mbewe who is a second year student at Great Zimbabwe University won two awards in the Model United Nations Conference held in Harare in March this year. He was awarded for the best unmoderated speech as well as the best delegate for the Model United Nations Arrupe Jesuit University Conference 2025.
v) As l share my success story, l am filled with excitement and anticipation. My journey to success is not just about achieving my goals, but also about experiences and lessons l learnt along the way.
When l completed my Ordinary level studies, l did not manage to come out with better grades. I went to Young Africa institution for skills training to pursue a course in Cosmetology. At the same time, l was due for discharge from Matthew Rusike Children’s Home since I had turned 18. I moved to Marondera and started living with my foster grandmother who used to take me for holidays when I was at the Children’s Home. I went for my attachment at Eastern Diva Beauty Spar in the capital city, Harare. I was commuting from Marondera to Harare, which is a 45 minutes drive.
During this time, things were tough. l had to sell spices, beauty products like lip gloss, eye lashes and nail glows so that l could raise money for transport since l was eager to acquire skills and knowledge in the Cosmetology field. l also worked very hard to find my own clients so that when l complete my attachment l will start my own business.
As soon as l completed my attachment, l moved back to Harare and started renting a chair in a saloon in the downtown. The goal was to raise money to start my own spar and at least do something for my little brothers and sisters l left at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home.
Along the way, l had ups and downs but l kept moving. l managed to buy a school bag, uniform, school shoes and socks for my brother at Matthew Rusike aiming to give back and that was all l could afford at that time since l had rentals to pay. I worked for two years at the saloon raising money to open a spa but it wasn’t enough.
I had to start small and l found myself a small shop at Galatacia mall at Braeside in Harare. It was a mini spar which only offered manicure, pedicure, facial treatment, wig installations, waxing eye lashes and revamp.
Two years down the line, l opened my mini Faffie blue spar, and while I was establishing myself an unexpected opportunity to work in a 5-star hotel dropped down before me. l could not believe it, but applied for it and got the job. I am writing this experience from Turkey where l am working now.
Although the initial dream was to open a big spar, fate has led me to explore new horizons. I am embarking on this new journey and contributing my skills to the hospitality industry as a cosmetologist. I am being provided with valuable experiences and exposure to exceptional service standards, luxurious amenities and diverse clientele. I am confident that this opportunity is helping me grow both personally and professionally.
Through this, l am so grateful for being raised at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home.
Rev L Mutendzwa who has always helped me to remember the 4 D’s: Devotion, Discipline, Direction and Determination led me all the way. More thanks to the mothers and my coach Mrs Tembedza the founding member of “Destiny for Greatness” who always pushed me and gave me all the support. Matthew Rusike l owe you.
Personal Experience from Faith Rufaro.
Methodist Church: Hillside Circuit 
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