Help 100 Underprivileged Kids in Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your continued support of our project. This project is our strategy for empowering underpriviledged rural youth in Zimbabwe to reach their full potential through education, skill development, and leadership training.  We've accomplished a lot along the way—thanks to your help!. Here are some highlights.

1. To date one hundred and fifty children have graduated from our Pre-school Program

Your donations make it possible for the Tekeshe Foundation to provide a free playtime program which promotes early childhood development and learning through play. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare the children to successfully enter grade one and to become successful and lifelong learners.  A typical day at the pre-school includes singing and playing with all kinds of toys including educational toys, structured playtime, story time and games, .

The kids' favorite time is when they get to play with the toys. The majority of these kids had never seen a toy until they started coming to our pre-school. These toys were donated by 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. 

The program is making a difference in the lives of these children. Here is what one of the parents had to say:

In her Own Words From One Of The Parents

"Before attending the pre-school my daughter was very shy and she didnt mix well with other children. I saw a big change in her after she started attending the pre-school. My daughter is now in grade 4 and she is doing very well. I thank the donors for making it possible for my daughter to participate in the pre-school program offered by the Tekeshe Foundation"

2. To date over one hundred students have received uniforms, school fees and school supplies from the Foundation

Through our Education Program we provide access to education to underpriviledged rural youth to help unlock doors of opportunity for them and give them a better head start for the future. Five of the students that we helped have now completed their teacher training courses and are now working as school teachers. Here is what one of the students had to say: 

In her Own Words By One Of The Students

"I could not have done this without your help. Growing up life was very difficult as my father has more than one wife. My mother and I struggled a lot. My father was not able to provide for my educational needs. My desire was to get an education because I knew this would give me a better future. I was so happy when the Tekeshe foundation started helping me with uniforms, school fees and school supplies. Without your help together with the Tekeshe Foundation I dont know what I would have done. Thank you very much. May God bless you"

3. To date over 250 youth have participated in our 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. Through your donations we were able to provide uniforms to 20 scouts and we sponsored 10 scouts to attend 2 scouting events. The scouts participate in community awareness initiatives.

The Youth program is having a positive impact in the lives of these young people. Here is what one of the scouts had to say:

In his Own Words By One Of The Scouts

"Participating in the scout program is like attending class. We learn a lot. Here are some of the scout laws we learned:

• A scout is kind
• A scout is honest
• A scout is brave 
• A scout is thrifty

I really enjoy the program. I hope that I will also be able to attend the scout events held in Mutare. I want to thank the donors for helping us. "

Our Goals for 2015 - 2016

• Start construction on a new building that will house our pre-school and our youth centre.
• Provide tables and chairs, currently the kids sit on the floor.
• Add an outdoor play area with swings

 As you can see we have accomplished a lot. These accomplishments would not have been possible without your support. Through your donations you are playing a major role in tranforming the lives of rural students!.

May you have a very happy and prosperous 2015!

Best wishes,

Thelma

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support of our "Youth Cares" Program.  Our youth program is based upon the principle  that young people need more than just academics, they also need to be taught life's lessons which are not taught at a desk in the classroom. The objective 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 approach is as follows:

 • Engage youth as resources, not simply recipients of services
 • Recognize that preventing problems does not by itself promote development
 • Ensures that youth are included as a part of planning and decision-making processes

In keeping with this approach we provide opportunities for the youth to get involved in community service in the village. On July 28,2014 the youth in our youth program, under the supervision of Mr Matende(Assistant Youth Program Coordinator),  participated in a workcamp to build a house for a disabled woman who lives in the village. Missionaries from New England and some of the local people worked in collaboration to arrange the workcamp. You can see in these pictures, some of the kids from our youth program wearing their scout uniforms. Your donations make it possible for the Tekeshe Foundation to buy scout uniforms for these kids.

In their own words:

We are taught to "Always lend a hand". This workcamp gave us a chance to help a poor woman in our community who is lame. We want to thank our donors for sponsoring us to attend scouting events and for buying us scout uniforms. We really enjoy the trips because we get to travel to town and meet with other scouts from the other areas.  We thank you very much for continuing to help us. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you can see, the Youth program is having a positive impact in the lives of these young people. It provides them a place to build lasting friendships and develops the skills they need to rise up as leaders in their communities. Without your love and support this would not be possible. 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.

We are in the processing of extending our Youth program to provide basic computer skills to the youth who participate in the program. We have submitted a proposal to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation to request 5 laptops. The youth will use the OLPC laptops to conduct a research project to look into bringing solar energy to the village.

Thank you so much for bringing hope in the lives of young people in these rural areas!

Best wishes,
Thelma