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it will be up-dated on a regular basis
After the overview of Rose of Sharon's
Aims and Objects you will find information
of Educating Others involvement in contributing
to the work of this Welfare Organisation
We sponsor Emily Kennedy and Richman Mhlanda
by paying their school fees
Mrs. Fatima Maruta
President and Founder
of
Rose of Sharon Welfare Organisation
Ruwa, Zimbabwe
After the overview of Rose of Sharon's
Aims and Objects you will find information
of Educating Others involvement in contributing
to the work of this Welfare Organisation
We sponsor Emily Kennedy and Richman Mhlanda
by paying their school fees
Mrs. Fatima Maruta
President and Founder
of
Rose of Sharon Welfare Organisation
Ruwa, Zimbabwe
EDUCATION
Born in Buhera District of Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, as first born in a family of ten, Mrs Maruta did her early learning at Silveira Mission and later at Mukaro Mission and Mashoko for her secondary education. After obtaining several accounting qualifications, she went on to attain a Bachelors Degree in Accountancy from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania, USA. She is married to prominent journalist and broadcaster, Anani Maruta, her husband of 27 years.
CAREER HISTORY
Mrs Maruta held several accounting posts in public and private institutions before joining the University of Zimbabwe where she lectured for six years and also chaired the Department of Accountancy. She then joined the UNAIDS as Projects Accountant for HIV/AIDS Programmes. Her job was to mobilise resources, set up systems for disbursal of resources, monitor the use of resources and submit quarterly reports to UNAIDS. She has published six books. These can be accessed on the UNAIDS website. She obtained a clean Audit Report for two successive years. She then left the organisation 2005 to form the Rose of Sharon Welfare Organisation.
There are no positive indicators yet of any well-meaning and serious action towards the resolution of the crisis, manifest in high levels of hyper-inflation — unprecedented in world economic history. This has resulted in rapid contraction of the economy, massive unemployment, widespread food shortages and hunger, the spread of HIV and AIDS and collapse of the health delivery system against widespread social dislocation and stress.
Children are the most affected, more so the social cohort that we seek to protect, i.e. abandoned and orphaned children. Whereas we, as a faith-based organisation, carry the message of hope, the general despair and lethargy characterising the social condition in Zimbabwe is all too pervasive and indicative of paralysis. As earlier mentioned, positive change is not anticipated in the short run. Even then, repairing the damage will take considerable time.
The implications for us at Rose of Sharon are such that we have had to devise creative and inspired new ways and means to survive the social and economic rigours. An example, is how we have responded to the food shortages in Zimbabwe where we have had to supplement our requirements with imported food, mainly from South Africa, and paid for in scarce foreign currency.
Responses to some aspects of our operations, however, remain challenging and vexatious. We have faced loss of skilled and unskilled staff due to the exodus to neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa and Botswana, despite our serious attempts to pay competitive salaries and wages. The only way to retain staff is to denominate salaries in convertible foreign currency to provide a cushion to the hyper-inflationary environment.
(i) Accommodation — Decent accommodation, in the form of a house — consisting of a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms and two bathrooms is provided for in each family unit. The organisation has engaged the services of qualified staff comprising a manager, a nutritionist, two housekeepers/child minders and a safety officer, for each family unit.
(ii) Food and Nutrition — The diet for the children comprises organic foods, namely, sugar beans, dried fish, rice, vegetables, soyas and meat. Each day of the week has a different menu provided to the children to ensure a balanced and yet affordable diet.
(iii) Clothing — Clothing is mostly from well-wishers who donate clothes to the children at the organisation from time to time.
(iv) Health Care — Is provided in the form of regular visits to doctors, treatment and care at local medical centres.
(v) Education — Education is mandatory for all the children at Rose of Sharon. An educationist is engaged in each family unit to help the children develop their academic, sporting and creative abilities.
(vi) Counselling — We believe that genuine transformation begins from within, hence our focus is on the renewal of the children’s negative mindsets caused by traumas suffered because of the loss of loved ones or abandonment by parents or guardians. Before coming to Rose of Sharon, most of the children will have suffered verbal and physical abuse, resulting in emotional distress, hopelessness and despair. The organisation aims to restore these children’s lives to God’s original purpose through the application of biblical principles which focus on the renewing of the mind. A grounding in biblical truths is, therefore, an essential element of the process of rehabilitation, growth and development. Once they have a sense of self-worth, esteem and good self-image, coupled with education, they can then contribute positively to society when they leave the Rose of Sharon family housing units.
❖ Rose of Sharon has developed four family housing units for the support and care of children. We endeavour to develop the total person and also to increase levels of self-sufficiency through the establishment of viable horticulture, soap-making and garment-making projects. These projects are meant to support the lives of children and to help the organisation to augment financial resources. The family housing units are broken down as follows:
c) BETHELIs located at 6833 Zimre Park in Ruwa, Harare. This unit caters for 15 teens who are attending secondary school (key stage 3). Their ages ranges from 11 to 16 years of age. In addition to the above, the organisation looks after 40 children outside the homes whose mothers are poor widows infected with HIV/AIDS. We assist with the rentals, food schools fees and uniforms, etc. for these families.
❖ To build a technical school on additional land near the housing units. The goal is to offer life skills to the children. These skills will range from artisan skills, e.g. carpentry, garment-making, to an eresource centre which will be used as a springboard for children and community learning.
The school prides itself in developing pupils who are fully equipped to succeed in a competitive world. Our Form Four pupils sit 8 to 9 IGCSE levels with a choice of 10 subjects. The school offers A Levels in the Sixth form. The school is pro-active in piloting new subjects, introducing diplomas and participates in teacher refresher courses. The Rose of Sharon School provides a learning environment that motivates pupils to achieve their full academic and leadership potential, encouraging them to think creatively, critically and independently.
❖ Life skills;
❖ School fees;
❖ Food, clothing an d health services;
❖ Assisting in obtaining the much-needed birth certificates;
❖ Promoting a healthy family environment and protect children from abuse; and
❖ Sharing the “Good News”
The following overview taken from one of the organistations brochures, gives a full description of the Aims and Objects of the Rose of Sharon Welfare Organistation
OVERVIEW
The social and economic condition in Zimbabwe remains dire. The unrelenting and long-running political, social and economic crisis that has persisted over the past decade continues to impact negatively on the most vulnerable groups in society, not least the orphaned and abandoned children, whom we, as Rose of Sharon Welfare Organisation, have purposed to provide shelter, education and care.
There are no positive indicators yet of any well-meaning and serious action towards the resolution of the crisis, manifest in high levels of hyper-inflation — unprecedented in world economic history. This has resulted in rapid contraction of the economy, massive unemployment, widespread food shortages and hunger, the spread of HIV and AIDS and collapse of the health delivery system against widespread social dislocation and stress.
Children are the most affected, more so the social cohort that we seek to protect, i.e. abandoned and orphaned children. Whereas we, as a faith-based organisation, carry the message of hope, the general despair and lethargy characterising the social condition in Zimbabwe is all too pervasive and indicative of paralysis. As earlier mentioned, positive change is not anticipated in the short run. Even then, repairing the damage will take considerable time.
The implications for us at Rose of Sharon are such that we have had to devise creative and inspired new ways and means to survive the social and economic rigours. An example, is how we have responded to the food shortages in Zimbabwe where we have had to supplement our requirements with imported food, mainly from South Africa, and paid for in scarce foreign currency.
Responses to some aspects of our operations, however, remain challenging and vexatious. We have faced loss of skilled and unskilled staff due to the exodus to neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa and Botswana, despite our serious attempts to pay competitive salaries and wages. The only way to retain staff is to denominate salaries in convertible foreign currency to provide a cushion to the hyper-inflationary environment.
ABOUT US
Rose of Sharon Welfare Organisation is a registered private voluntary organisation (PVO) that provides shelter, food, education and health care, social amenities and recreation to needy orphans. The children are taken from all walks of life. These are children who are abandoned and dumped in the streets or orphaned, with no extended family to provide care, and those from child-headed families. They are brought to Rose of Sharon by police, social welfare officers and community leaders, at ages ranging from a day old to 21. Currently, the organisation is providing care to 100 children. Sixteen care-givers look after them. Some of the children are HIV positive. All children of school-going age are attending primary, secondary school or college. Toddlers attend a homebased nursery, under the care of an Early Education Officer.OUR MISSION
Is to mission is to facilitate the total transformation of children’s lives, both blind and sighted, who were living under severe, stressful and extremely difficult circumstances and to help them realise their full potential in life.OUR VALUES
Ours approach is holistic. The lives of children are transformed through the provision of:(i) Accommodation — Decent accommodation, in the form of a house — consisting of a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms and two bathrooms is provided for in each family unit. The organisation has engaged the services of qualified staff comprising a manager, a nutritionist, two housekeepers/child minders and a safety officer, for each family unit.
(ii) Food and Nutrition — The diet for the children comprises organic foods, namely, sugar beans, dried fish, rice, vegetables, soyas and meat. Each day of the week has a different menu provided to the children to ensure a balanced and yet affordable diet.
(iii) Clothing — Clothing is mostly from well-wishers who donate clothes to the children at the organisation from time to time.
(iv) Health Care — Is provided in the form of regular visits to doctors, treatment and care at local medical centres.
(v) Education — Education is mandatory for all the children at Rose of Sharon. An educationist is engaged in each family unit to help the children develop their academic, sporting and creative abilities.
(vi) Counselling — We believe that genuine transformation begins from within, hence our focus is on the renewal of the children’s negative mindsets caused by traumas suffered because of the loss of loved ones or abandonment by parents or guardians. Before coming to Rose of Sharon, most of the children will have suffered verbal and physical abuse, resulting in emotional distress, hopelessness and despair. The organisation aims to restore these children’s lives to God’s original purpose through the application of biblical principles which focus on the renewing of the mind. A grounding in biblical truths is, therefore, an essential element of the process of rehabilitation, growth and development. Once they have a sense of self-worth, esteem and good self-image, coupled with education, they can then contribute positively to society when they leave the Rose of Sharon family housing units.
WHAT WE DO
❖ Intensified support is being provided to children who are infected and affected with HIV/AIDS through access to treatment provided by local health clinics.❖ Rose of Sharon has developed four family housing units for the support and care of children. We endeavour to develop the total person and also to increase levels of self-sufficiency through the establishment of viable horticulture, soap-making and garment-making projects. These projects are meant to support the lives of children and to help the organisation to augment financial resources. The family housing units are broken down as follows:
a) MOUNT ZION
Mount Zion is located at 13 Dallas Road, Marlborough in Harare. This unit caters for 16 babies who are either abandoned in the streets, orphaned or in need of care. They are brought in at ages ranging from one-day old to just below five years old. This family unit comprises a home-based nursery school, where toddlers are in the care of an Early Education Officer and child minders, a living room, bedrooms, a kitchen and 11/2 bathrooms for children’s use and separate quarters for child minders.b) SHILOH
Shiloh is located at 2273 Rogers Mangena Avenue, in Ruwa. This home caters for 20 pre-teens who are attending primary school (key stage 2). Their ages range from five to 11 years.c) BETHEL
OUR VISION
❖ To build a “ Moses Basket” which will give an opportunity to mothers to give up unwanted babies to discourage the evil practice of leaving children to die after dumping them in the streets or such places as dumps, etc. The organisation intends to also build 10 family housing units, a nursery and an administrative block. These units will be used to accommodate and care for children who are orphaned, abandoned or in any way deserve the organisation’s care and support.❖ To build a technical school on additional land near the housing units. The goal is to offer life skills to the children. These skills will range from artisan skills, e.g. carpentry, garment-making, to an eresource centre which will be used as a springboard for children and community learning.
ROSE OF SHARON SENIOR SCHOOL
The Rose of Sharon Senior School is a multi-cultural school based at 6884 Madecheche Road in Zimre Park, Harare, Zimbabwe. The school caters for pupils aged between 12 and 18 years of age and strives to develop the potential of the pupils in as many ways as we can. Our holistic approach includes academic, sporting, musical, basic counselling and cultural education with pastoral care. Our other objective is to open a life skills centre that is going to offer skills to orphans which are crucial for their survival.The school prides itself in developing pupils who are fully equipped to succeed in a competitive world. Our Form Four pupils sit 8 to 9 IGCSE levels with a choice of 10 subjects. The school offers A Levels in the Sixth form. The school is pro-active in piloting new subjects, introducing diplomas and participates in teacher refresher courses. The Rose of Sharon School provides a learning environment that motivates pupils to achieve their full academic and leadership potential, encouraging them to think creatively, critically and independently.
ROSE OF SHARON RURAL SCHOOLS OUTREACH
Rose of Sharon has come up with a brand new intervention entitled “Rural Schools Outreach” to orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). With this programme, we seek to assist OVCs learning under extremely difficult circumstances. This initiative came into being because of the number of calls we receive on a daily basis on OVCs who are looking for assistance, the increasing numbers of OVCs countrywide and the realisation that no one organisation has the capacity to respond single-handedly. We, therefore, decided to make a difference and impact positively on the lives of these unfortunate children through service provision which include:.❖ Life skills;
❖ School fees;
❖ Food, clothing an d health services;
❖ Assisting in obtaining the much-needed birth certificates;
❖ Promoting a healthy family environment and protect children from abuse; and
❖ Sharing the “Good News”
THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS AT
ROSE OF SHARON SENIOR SCHOOL ARE BEING
ROSE OF SHARON SENIOR SCHOOL ARE BEING
SPONSORED BY EDUCATING OTHERS
We are paying the substantial part of their
school fees which are US$300 a term
Emily Kennedy
ACHIEVEMENTS
Emily was born at Chirinda Hospital in Chipinge. Her mother abandoned her when she was two years old. Her grandmother, who took care of her, was destitute and this forced the young Emily and her siblings to scrounge for food at a nearby Chirinda Boarding School. The then Chaplain of the school realised their plight and referred them to Rose of Sharon Welfare Organization, who then took her in, along with her two siblings, and has sponsored their education since 2006. She is academically gifted with a lot of strength in the Sciences and is currently doing her “O” Level secondary education at Rose of Sharon School. Her ambition is to become a nurse with the intention of pursuing her studies in England.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1) Secretary for Child Protection Society.
2) Represented Children’s Rights for the orphaned and vulnerable children at district level.
3) She is also Editor of TRANSFORMER, the termly Newsletter for the school.
2) Represented Children’s Rights for the orphaned and vulnerable children at district level.
3) She is also Editor of TRANSFORMER, the termly Newsletter for the school.
Richman Mhlanda
Richman was born on 15 October 1991. Both his parents are late and there is no one to support him together with his siblings, Jefrey, Midwin and Godknows. They were all rescued and admitted into the orphanage.
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