Category: General

Rev Linrielink Mutendzwa in his own words…

“I was born in 1972 in Chivhu in the Mashonaland East District of Zimbabwe. I am married to a supportive wife, Mercy, and we have been blessed with 2 sons and a set of twins a boy and a girl. I have been a Methodist minister since 1994. During my ministry I have served the church in different areas, rural and urban with different cultural settings, schools and at Head Office. I have been a circuit minister, minister in charge, Principal and synod secretary. I also served as the Research and Publications National Coordinator between 2006 and 2012. Before my appointment at MRCH I was a circuit youth minister at Hatfield Circuit where I had been for a year after a near fatal traffic accident that left me with broken limbs. The Lord raised me back to life on plated legs.

Professionally I hold an Executive Masters in Business Administration, BSc Management and Entrepreneurial Development Studies, Diploma in Theology and another Diploma in Religious Studies. I also hold various certificates in the areas of Development, Research Methods and Business and Project  Management.

I bring to MRCH a warmed heart, braced up spirit, enduring soul and an open mind. I believe God will use me as a reliable instrument in this special child care ministry.”

In 2012 Reverend Margaret Mawire became the National Director of Childcare and the Superintendent at MRCH.  She was brought up by her grandparents and educated at Harare High school, doing A levels through correspondence. She achieved a Diploma in Theology then a BA hons in Religious Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. In 2011 she attained her Masters degree in Applied Theology at the Queens Foundation in UK. She has been a serving minister in 3 circuits in Zimbabwe and was chaplain at MRCH during 2010.

“ I felt challenged to be heading a big organisation like MRCH where so much has been achieved already by my predecessors and so much lies ahead of us that still needs to be done. However I feel blessed knowing that MRCH has a dedicated team of well qualified staff to assist to drive the vision of MRCH forward. Our first priority is to ensure continuity. Childcare in Zimbabwe is under funded so finances and resources for programming are a problem. In my short time here, one thing I have realised is that childcare is expensive.”

“I would like to thank you all for your support during my term of office at MRCH as National Director. When I came the economic situation was as bad as it is now. You continued to help us. Staff had gone for 5 months without salaries and FoMRCH paid all the arrears, it was a great relief for me. You raised funds to buy a new minibus and it became safe to take the children out. Electricity supply was another monster but you raised money for a generator at just the right time. You had friends who raised funds to refurbish all the 8 houses. The regular monthly remittance has made planning and budgetting so much easier. Please pass my gratitude to all the Friends of MRCH and I pray for the same kind of support for the Incoming Director.”

“After 10 years, and having passed my 80^th birthday, I have decided to make way as Secretary for a younger person.  It has been a pleasure and privilege to do this job not least because of the excellent work done by the Chair and Treasurer which has made it so much easier.

My Wife and I were founder members of the Friends group in 1996 following a visit to MRCH in 1995 because we wanted to help the good childcare being provided at the Home, by providing Christmas presents for the children.

Over the past 20 years the operating conditions in Zimbabwe have changed enormously with food, power and water shortages plus unrest and currency problems. At the same time the external world has changed with the growth of communications so that a wider knowledge of what makes up our lives is now available to all.  However throughout all these hardships and changes, the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home has provided good childcare and also significantly expanded its influence throughout Zimbabwe.

This tremendous success has been made possible by the energy and vision of the staff at the Home and by the donations sent by concerned outsiders, particularly ten years ago by you the Friends when we provided 80% of its funding. Now, when the Methodist church in Zimbabwe is providing strong support for childcare, we still give half of the external donations to the Home, about 25% of the total.  The need for support is still very great as national conditions do not improve and Zimbabwe has had to appeal for international help, our efforts are still vital.

The Friends Executive committee is very experienced but we are always open to new faces and new ideas for continuing planning for sustained giving. I hope my replacement will enjoy the satisfaction I have had in working with the Friends and seeing the children of Zimbabwe thrive.”

John Richer

Thank you John for all your wonderful work over the years. We are so pleased that you will continue to be part of the committee.