Help 100 Underprivileged Kids in Zimbabwe

Thank you so much for all the support you have given to disadvantaged rural kids in Zimbabwe over the years. We are proud of what we have accomplished together so far to empower rural kids to reach their full potential. We have accomplished a lot along the way—thanks for all your help! Here are some highlights:

1. Education Program
Through your donations to this project you make it possible for the Tekeshe Foundation to provide school uniforms, school fees and school supplies to disadvantaged rural kids. Without access to education the majority of the kids in these rural areas would never rise out of poverty. I am pleased to announce that this year because of your support we are able to provide school fees to 20 primary school students and 11 high school students. The total amount is $2,100.00 for 3 terms. Here is what two of the students who are beneficiaries of this program had to say:

In His Own Words By Kozile
"I am a student at Rimbi High school and I am in form six. I come from a single parent home. Due to the harsh economic conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe my mother is not able to pay for my school fees. I am sponsored by the Tekeshe Foundation. I am currently taking pure mathematics, economics and business studies. I hope to pass with flying colors as I am very hard working. Once I complete my studies at Rimbi High I wish to proceed to the university level where I hope to obtain a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Banking and Finance. My wish once I have completed my education is to help underprivileged kids in these rural areas get an education. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for assisting me with schools fees. Without your help I wouldn’t be in school."

In Her Own Words By Betty
"Thank you very much for paying my school fess. I am a student at Rimbi High school. My parents are currently unemployed as a result they are not able to pay my school fees. Thank you very much for providing me the opportunity to continue with my studies. I will not disappoint you."

2. Youth Cares Program
The Youth Cares Program is an after-school program that focuses on empowering young people to grow up to be successful, well-balanced and self-sufficient citizens. Studies conducted on after-school programs have shown that after-school programs do much more than keep children occupied when they are not in school. Kids who participate in after-school programs perform much better academically than their peers and they exhibit notable improvements in work habits and behavior as well. One of the ways that after school activities can help the kids is by providing them opportunities to explore diverse interests. Through this program we afford kids the opportunity to discover what they are passionate about. To give you an example, we have kids in this program who aspire to be leaders. We provide these kids the funds to attend scout leaders' workshops. Here is what some of the kids who attended the workshops had to say:

In Her Own Words By Corletta
"I attended the Scout leaders' workshop held at Mutambara on March 15th. The weather was really bad as there was a cyclone. Despite the bad weather we still enjoyed the workshop. We were taught how to lead others. I enjoyed the workshop so much that I hope I will be able to attend the next one that will be held in Kariba. I want to thank the Tekeshe Foundation for sponsoring us and for providing us the scout uniforms."

In Her Own Words By Rosemary
"I really enjoyed the workshop help at Mutambara. This was my first time to attend a workshop. I met scouts from other villages. I learned a lot! We were taught how to be leaders and we were also taught how to tie knots. I thank the Tekeshe Foundation for sponsoring us to attend this workshop."

The Youth Cares program also focuses on providing opportunities for the youth to get involved in community service in the village. We are pleased to announce that in August the youth in our youth program delivered firewood at an elderly woman's house. As you can see in the pictures the elderly lady was really touched by the youths' kindness! This program is having a positive impact shaping the lives of the kids to care about the elderly.

3. Youth Empowerment Center Project Update
Through this project we aim to construct a building that will serve as a Training Centre where young people will receive computer, building, welding, sewing, knitting and baking training. One of the major challenges that face rural youth growing up in Chipinge is lack of skill training. After high school more than 75% of rural students are not able to pursue higher education due to poor grades or due to poverty and yet they are ill prepared to enter the workforce. Unlike their urban counterparts who receive skill training, such services are non-existent in the rural areas. Having a center where rural kids can receive vocational training would put them on a level playing field with their urban counterparts so that they will be in a better position to compete for jobs.

The building will also house our pre-school and our youth center. As I mentioned in a previous report, another challenge that face rural youth is lack of recreation centers where the youth can go to enjoy life in the rural areas. The rural youth spend their time wondering aimlessly in the townships congregating at the local bars so that they can watch television and listen to music. Having a Youth Center would provide them a safe haven.

To date we have acquired the land and as you can see from the attached picture the building plan is complete. Our team has received bids from several builders and they are in the final process of evaluating the bids. We are planning to start construction in mid-October.

May your hearts be filled with joy as you take a look at these pictures and see the major role you are playing in shaping the lives of these young people who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Thelma

Thank you so much for all the support you have given to disadvantaged rural kids in Zimbabwe over the years. We are proud of what we have accomplished together so far to empower these kids to reach their full potential. We have accomplished a lot along the way—thanks to you for all your help! Here are some mid-year highlights:

1. Education Program

Education is one of the keys to unlocking doors of opportunity for rural kids to lift them up out of poverty. Sadly due to extreme poverty education is inaccesible to many kids in the rural areas of Zimbabwe. Through your donations you make it possible for the Tekeshe Foundation to provide school uniforms, school fees and school supplies to disadvantaged rural kids. I am pleased to announce that this year we are providing school fees to 20 primary school students and 11 high school students. The total amount is $2,100.00 for 3 terms. Here is what two of the teachers from Rimbi High school had to say:

         In His Own Words From One Of The Teachers At Rimbi High School:
"TEKESHE FOUNDATION YOU ARE A STAR.YOUR HAND HAS GONE A LONG WAY IN ALLEVIATING DROPOUTS IN RIMBI COMMUNITY. WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SAY GOD ALONE WILL REWARD YOU EARNESTLY."

        In His Own Words From One Of The Teachers At Rimbi High School:
"Whenever your resources allow we kindly ask you to increase the number of assisted children since our enrollment is
skyrocketing. We have over 1500 pupils which means a considerable number of vulnerable children. Thank you!"

2. Pre-School Program
According to research, children who complete pre-school programs are more advanced in literacy, creativity, initiative, and social skills and they are more likely to succeed in school and to end up as productive members of society. Sadly the majority of children in the rural areas of Chipinge in Zimbabwe have no access to early childhood development and learning programs. Through our Pre-School Program we provide a playtime program which promotes early childhood development and learning through play. Through your donations we are able to enroll 30 children in our pre-school.The children's favorite time is when they get to play with toys and ride bikes. The majority of these kids had never seen a toy until they came to our pre-school. The toys and bikes were donated by New England Pentecostal Ministries and friends of the Foundation in the US. Every year we partner with churches in New England to send a 40 foot container of medicines, food and clothing, school supplies and toys to Zimbabwe.

3. Youth Program
The focus of our Youth Program is to empower young people to grow up to be successful, well-balanced and self-sufficient citizens. It emphasizes the importance of young people's personal development and their contributions to their communities. Our Youth program also offers a Scouting Program. Through your donations the Tekeshe Foundation provides the scouts with uniforms and the funds to go on camping trips and to host camping events. We are pleased to announce that we have extended the Scout program to Matezwa and Manzvire villages. The Youth program is having a positive impact in the lives of young people in these rural areas. It provides them a place to build lasting friendships and develop the skills they need to rise up as leaders in their communities.

 4. Youth Empowerment Center Project 

The purpose of this project is to construct a building that will serve as a Youth and Community Centre where services that cater to young people will be provided. We envision this facility as a place that will be an inviting and vibrant community space where the entire community, particularly young people, can meet, connect, interact, receive training, counseling and enjoy a range of social and recreational activities. The center will also house our pre-school. To date we have acquired the land and the building plan is complete.

      Why There Is A Need For A Youth Empowerment Center
The youth in Chipinge are faced with two major challenges. The first challenge is lack of skill training. After high school more than 75% of rural students are not able to pursue higher education due to poor grades or due to poverty and yet they are ill prepared to enter the workforce. Unlike their urban counterparts who receive skill training, such services are non-existent in the rural areas. Having a center where rural kids can receive vocational training would put them on a level playing field with their urban counterparts so that they will be in a better position to compete for jobs. The second challenge is lack of a recreation center where the youth can go to enjoy life in the rural areas. The rural youth spend their time wondering aimlessly in the townships congregating at the local bars so that they can watch television and listen to music. Having a Youth Center would provide them a safe haven.

May your hearts be filled with joy as you take a look at these pictures and see the major role you are playing in shaping the lives of these young people who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Thanks again for what we have accomplished together!

Best Wishes,

Thelma