Help 100 Underprivileged Kids in Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for supporting our Pre-School program. Your donations make it possible for the Tekeshe Foundation to continue to provide a free playtime program which promotes early childhood development and learning through play. 

I am pleased to inform you that the Pre-School program is doing very well. We have one full time teacher and this year we have 30 children enrolled in our school. We managed to send the teacher to two refresher courses.

Our goal for 2013 is to increase the number of children enrolled in our school to 90 and we need to hire 2 more teachers. We also need a building which will be able to accomodate 90 kids. In addition we need to buy desks and chairs, currently the kids have to sit on the floor. 

 As I mentioned in one of the progress reports, promoting early childhood development and learning programs is at the heart of the The Tekeshe Foundation. Unlike the urban areas where children have access to early childhood development and learning programs such programs are nonexistent in the rural areas.  Through are Playtime program we are committed to providing the best start in life to children in these rural areas.

I really appreciate the difference you are making in the lives of these children. The early years in their lives are very crucial. What happens to them during these early years plays an important role in shaping their lives. You are playing a big role in shaping the lives of these children.  Because of your love and support they are receiving the best start in life as a result they are more likely to succeed in school and to end up as productive members of society. 

Thanks again!

Best Regards,

Thelma

Links:

• Tekeshe Foundation website

Hello Friends,

Last year we introduced Elizabeth Musavengana - one of the girls we have been sponsoring for the past six years.  I am pleased to announce that Elizabeth passed her Advanced Level studies with flying colors. She obtained an A in Mathematics,  B in Accounting,  and another B in Business Studies. We are very impressed with Elizabeth's outstanding performance. Although she faced a lot of obstacles that could have easily discouraged her she refused to let these obstacles deter her from obtaining an education.  As I mentioned in one of the progress reports from last year, Elizabeth comes from a polygamous family. Her father doesn't believe in educating girls.

In these rural areas the majority of the girls usually drop out of school after high school due to lack of funds or due to poor grades. These girls find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty – they are not able to continue their education and yet they are ill-prepared to enter the workforce. Unlike their counterparts, the urban youths who undergo skills training, rural youths have no opportunities to learn needed job skills because such services are limited, or in most cases non-existent in the rural areas. Since there is nothing for these girls to do they end up getting married at an early age. 

That's why we are very proud of Elizabeth's accomplishments. However, we realize that despite her tenacity and dedication without your help her effort would have been in vain.

Xhitani Sithole is another student we have been sponsoring for the past 6 years. Xhitani also passed his Advanced Level studies with flying colors. He obtained an A in Divinity and a B in Business Studies.

Both Elizabeth and  Xhitani plan to attend the University of Zimbabwe this fall. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for making this possible.  Through your generosity you have unlocked and opened doors of opportunity for these young people. 

Best Wishes,

Thelma