February/March Update
Children’s Issues
The year started off with 108 children in residence. Come Unto Me Centre (CUMC) had 66 (16 boys and 40 girls), Faith & Hope Centre (FHC) had the remaining 42 children (30 boys and 12 girls).
Although most of the children enjoyed good health during the months under review, Primrose’s health had continued to deteriorate, necessitating regular medical attention.
Fungai in Karoi reportedly encountered mysterious experiences, with things that looked like small stones issuing out of her eyes. Efforts are underway to trace the child’s maternal relatives in Masvingo.
In February, a number of children at FHC suffered a bout of diarrhea and treatment was quickly sought for them.
Enert has joined Shaping the Health of Adolescents in Zimbabwe (SHAZ), an organisation in Chitungwiza that offers education concerning basic health care and life skills to adolescents.
Education
We thank God for one of our children, Blessing, who did very well in his O-Level public examinations and has proceeded to A-level at Kuwadzana High 1 School.
Another child under the education programme in Chikomba, Evidence, also did exceptionally well and efforts are underway to secure an A-Level place for him.
We also received a generous donation from the Queen Elizabeth School in conjunction with the British Council to cater for our education requirements. The donation followed our children’s participation in a fund-raising sports gala at the Prince Edward School.
Staff Training
Our Projects Manager, Martha Damu and Social Worker, Robert Makura, attended a Child Protection Workshop in Bulawayo between February 22 and 26. The workshop was organised Tearfund. The duo has since drafted a Child Protection Policy for JCF meant to enhance the safety of children under our care.
Reunifications
The reunification team has of late embarked on a massive reunification drive. Since the beginning of this year, we have reunited eleven (11) children with their families.
Partnerships
We have continued to enjoy financial support from our partners such as the Child Protection Society (CPS) which has continued to partner with us in our projects.
- Mercy Corps has also come into the picture, extending funds to us so that we can procure food and hygiene baskets for children under our care.
- Donations have also continued to come in from several individuals and this has seen our children having the traditional three meals per day. We would want to thank God for them.
- Some staff changes might still take place but we remain vigilant to the call in spite of all the challenges we are facing.
Donations
We received donations from:
- Helpage – cooking oil, beans and maize
- Iranian Embassy – mealie meal, matemba and drinks
- Econet Joshua Nkomo Scholarship Fund – assorted clothing, toys, exercise books and foodstuffs
- British Council
- Netview College (Glen Norah) – assorted clothing, shoes and groceries.