Category: By the children

9 Months in Romania by Tapiwa G

It gives me pleasure to be sitting at my desk jotting down something which in my opinion you deserve to know as it makes me and the Home at large proud to have managed to achieve something which God allowed to happen. Humans are born with different talents; some have natural intelligence and some with talents for serving the world in different ways. I was raised at Matthew Rusike children’s home for 12 years where I came to realise that in this world being uneducated does not mean that’s the end of your life. When I wrote my O level exams I didn’t come out well but I keep on persevering in my talent for writing poems, theatre and serving God.  Through His faithfulness I found myself doing voluntary work in Romania in 2013-2014 and learning about various areas including human trafficking and domestic violence.

Teaching theatre, poetry and using art in campaigning was one of my big responsibilities. Playing with children was not something I was used to but one of our responsibilities was to be very creative in a such a way that can bring smiles to children. Curtici and Vis de Copii (Children’s Dreams) are the two centres in Arad where hope is given to less privileged children from different backgrounds. I was very moved to teach these children considering that I was once like them. Each time I visited the centres I could see my home at Matthew Rusike .

You need passion to set your mind to volunteering. I was a Zimbabwean representing southern Africa working with one of the leading organisations in Arad. It requires focus, creativity, trust, obedience and maturity . Volunteering emerged to be a learning experience. I learned patience, the importance of  accommodating others, helping and respecting other people’s views and opinions, team work, to be a good listener and communicator, a new language- Romanian – and strategies for improving the communication in a multicultural context.  I learned to depend on myself during the course of the project and that has taught me how to manage my finances and be independent. I had the opportunity to express myself and how to use it in different contexts with children, adults or prisoners. Doing the origami course, craft making of bracelets and learning some different dance moves and blending into the European culture has made me develop a new approach to life and some new practical skills which I can use in future when working with people of my race and others.

During nine months in a foreign land, with people of different nationalities, backgrounds and beliefs was a challenge, however I have learnt to appreciate and respect other people’s cultures and beliefs, understand their values and adhere to certain rules and regulations.  Discovering something new is a passion for me and life in a multicultural context is the best way to achieve it. Cooperating with Romanian people I always tried to behave in a correct way, respecting others, their spaces, their life style. I involved myself actively in all the local initiatives for improving the social environment. I learnt how to deal with criticism about me and I improved my capacity to express my opinion in a good way to others.  Communicating and sharing information with them has made me have a clear view on the importance of giving and receiving feedback in a positive manner which is valuable in creating an effective team.

My name is Peter

Life can be a difficult puzzle whose pieces one can struggle to put together especially without a proper knowledge of one’s background. This is true to my humble life which was spent trying to join these pieces together, but many thanks to Matthew Rusike Children’s Home (MRCH) which has stood with me, not only as a mother and father but as an all-weather friend so that my life can be meaningful and one day reflect a glorious future as I write a short story of my life.

I was born twenty four years ago. I suffered abuse in the hands of my father and stepmother. I was too young to run away from home so I had nothing to do but to endure all affliction, to the extent it was no longer a secret in my small community in Epworth. With the support of the local clinic, the Department of Social Services placed me in MRCH after learning of my living conditions.

I went to MRCH at a very young age. I can vividly remember how I struggled to say my name properly. I attended pre-school in the crèche where I started to adjust to the new environment and get used to spending my life around many people, most of who were my age. The new home offered me a different perspective of life, life began to make sense, I felt I had every reason to live now and everything was just pleasant. One thing that kept puzzling me was how could I be taken to an orphanage when my parents were both alive but as I grew up I began to understand what Matthew Rusike Children’s Home was all about. Though I was still very young, I grew to enjoy life.

I went to Epworth Primary School nearby. The home nurtured my God-given academic skills as the home had a library where a certain time was marked for studies. All the years at primary I was awarded academic prizes and my last two years there I managed to get the smartness prize. Being at the home was an inspiration to make me work extra hard and achieve excellence in everything I did. At the home we were taught to work and to take care of ourselves. We were trained to deal with any situation that might arise.

I finished my primary education well and was offered an opportunity to go to boarding school, an opportunity that is offered to any child who passes well in his/her primary education. My academic life continued at a Methodist school where I did my form one up to form six. I passed well again in my O’Levels and A’levels and the home again offered me the opportunity to proceed to tertiary education. In 2010 I started my tertiary studies at Midlands State University where I am currently doing my Honours degree in History and International Studies, I am now in my final year.

With this entire journey the Home has been with me, paying my school fees since grade one and is even prepared to see me through to PhD level. The home has been a faithful parent to me.

In 2002 the home also offered me an opportunity to look at life from a different perspective as it introduced me to some foster parents who have welcomed me into their family and made me part of them up to this very day. The home did not stop, but has continued and is still continuing to take care of me. Life in a small, real family was at first a challenge but I have successfully adjusted and now I am well prepared to face any challenge any normally raised person will face.

Today I stand in no shadow of doubt that without MRCH, I would not have been anywhere. I am proud to say that I am what I am and have what I have because of the home. Now that my future is clear and certain, I have every reason to thank the Almighty for He has made rivers in the desert and has stood as Jehovah Jireh; the Lord my provider for He has also provided manna in the desert. Where a gap was left by my parents, the home has been there to fill the gap. I feel my life owes a lot to the home now. As I look forward to finishing my first degree this year, I pray that God will continue with me so that I use the foundation already laid by MRCH to build a great future that will be a celebration of my life. I am looking forward to completely re-uniting with my real family and maybe move on with them in life despite any past failures and hurts.

Now that God has clearly spoken to me, I have to revisit the work that has been started by my hero and founder of MRCH, the late Reverend Matthew Jacha Rusike so that I will have to do the same and save souls just as I was saved.

Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, the most wonderful place in the world, I will always be part of it. The love I have received and still am receiving is beyond any words to describe.  My life is now on track, I have grown to become a lovely young man, everything in my life today is a reflection of the beauties of the home. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been and is still part of Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, may God continue to bless you abundantly. Thank you.

My name is Tapiwa S born in Epworth in 1992, I came from a small impoverished family which was surviving under difficult conditions. I stayed with my single mom who passed away when I was 6. I never knew my father. When my mother died, my 7 siblings and myself had to look after ourselves. My 18 year old brother strived to take care of all of us. It was difficult. MRCH came to our rescue and gave us relief from the hardships that we were facing. Through their support, I managed to attend school, have food in my stomach, clothing and my ailing health was taken care of.  I did very well in my primary education and MRCH continued to pay for my secondary education. I passed my  GCE ‘’O’’ level examinations and because my results were outstanding MRCH enrolled me in boarding school for my Advanced level. Again I excelled. Today, I  am studying an Honours degree in Marketing Management. This is all as a result of the support of MRCH. I thank them and all the supporters of MRCH for they have enabled hopeless situations to turn into testimonies. Today, I can look forward to a great future. I thank God for His grace and my life because I have been abundantly blessed.

My name is Lucky M, youngest in a family of three.  I am 19. I am currently doing Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Geography in form 6 at Moleli High School. I want to be a doctor.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home for being a home full of love and care exhibited by its staff. I moved into the Home in the year 2005 as a result of being homeless after my mother had failed to take care of the family. We lived in extreme poverty and the environment was not conducive for our social well being. However, my story changed when I started in the caring arms of MRCH.

Currently, due to the exposure I gained because of the Home, I am honoured to be the incoming National Youth President of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. I am also a member of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe as an Hon. Minister of Information, Media and Publicity. My school life is coloured by high stars of endeavours. In the year 2007 I attained 4 units at Grade 7 and in 2011 I attained 8 As, 3Bs at ‘’O’’ level. I am a senior prefect at my school. My hobbies are interacting with people from various walks of life.

Today, where I am, I count it all grace and only grace answereth for all the excellency in me. My vision is to impart and influence a mindset of greatness to the young in the world who are under threat of moral decadence.