Who are we?

The ‘Friends’ were formed in 1996 to support the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, in Harare by fundraising and raising awareness about the Home. Originally there were 25 people (or groups) in the UK, we have now expanded to 280.

We are a registered charity. In our first year we raised £1000. In 2011 we received over £78,675 in donations – the year best so far because in that year almost £18,000 was received from several churches and other groups who had made us their project for a year or two. We also received a bequest and a large individual donation.

Total membership, donations and special appeal donations in 2021 amounted to £29,941. Regular bank transfers in the first half of 2022 were averaging over £1,100 per month.

Our original members visited the Home or worked there as volunteers, some providing training, others working as volunteers on a variety of practical projects.

The main committee positions are:

Chair Ed Standhaft

Secretary – Audrey Standhaft

Treasurer – Niki Phillips

Webmaster – Leigh East

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.”