FRIENDS OF MATTHEW RUSIKE CHILDREN'S HOME
Chair Carol Banham Secretary John Richer Treasurer Paddy Coles
Who are the Friends?
The "Friends" was formed in 1996 to support the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home by fundraising and spreading the news of the Home. Our original supporters were 25 people (or groups) in the UK, already aware of the Home. We now have over 250 members.
When we started, our original members were already aware of the Home. Most of them had visited it or worked there as volunteers. Some had provided training, others had worked as volunteers in the Home on a variety of practical projects.
The superintendent and his staff warmly welcome visitors.
The
Matthew Rusike Friends (Volunteers) by Trabby 19yrs
Written about the influence of the 'friends'..."We become free to each other and free from being isolated and lonely. Therefore it is of great sincerity for the children, the staff and everything that belongs to Matthew Rusike to have these friends around. The children feel cared for, loved, comforted and inspired when they have such friends who are there for them. May Gods love, care, comfort and blessing be with all the friends of Matthew Rusike...Once you become Matthew Rusike's friends you become our family member."
What do we do?
Action for Children in conjunction with the World Church Office of the Methodist Church, is involved with MRCH as part of their work in South Africa. is working with Zimbabwean colleagues to develop plans and projects for the future. We, the Friends, are in close contact with Action for Children so that our support for the Home is complementary to their longer term plans. The Action for Children Development Advisor (Zimbabwe and South Africa) visits several times each year. He reports back to our executive committee after each visit and so keeps us well informed and up to date with the situation there.
We are also now in contact with Qantas Cabin Crew who also support the Home and visit whenever they can.
We issue 3 newsletters each year to our members and supporters and we are always keen to find new people who would like to receive these. We can visit groups interested in having presentations about the child welfare work or we can loan video material and a photograph display to support your own fundraising activities.
Nationally the committee sell Christmas cards each year to raise more funds. Each autumn newsletter includes information about the cards available for the year. 5 packets are sent to people on the mailing list automatically, unless they have let us know otherwise.
Involvement of Friends
This varies:
In September 2007 we achieved charitable status and have our accounts audited annually. Our administrative costs over the years have been very low, as most items and people's time have been donated.
In our first year we raised £1000 rising to £21,000 in 2001.
In 2004 we raised over £ 45,000. In 2006 we raised £47,000.
There has been no Government help for the Home since 2002. The Friends of MRCH now contribute approximately 80% of the daily running costs of the Home.
Registered charity 1120944