Superintendent's Report

Matthew Rusike from a Volunteer's perspective
Carli Peacock

My Work in the Orchard
youth aged 17

50th Anniversary Celebrations
E Samkange

My Vision
youth aged 16 years

Speciss College Computer Training
girl aged 16 years

My Life
girl aged 15 years

Harare International Festival of the Arts
boy aged 15 years

Qantas Cabin Crew Team
girl aged 16 years

The Matthew Rusike Friends (Volunteers)
Trabby Mhaka 19 years

By Trabby Mhaka, 19 years

How blessed is the home of Matthew Rusike? From all the corners of the world there is someone or a group of people who are dying to say 'have you been at Rusike?' How lucky are the children of Rusike? Surely the home is befriended to everyone worldwide. People of no knowledge about the home, they come. With a lot in mind they take flight with Matthew Rusike as their destination. During the first few days some would be isolated not because of the environment but their reluctance towards socialisation. Some would be curious to know almost everything and befriend all the children especially the little kids. They make themselves known to everyone and every child makes himself or herself known to them. That is how they become known as our friends.

With both hands we welcome our friends and make them feel at home. These friends are given all the freedom to do whatever they want to do as long as there is no harm or bad influence to the children and the home. They are made to enjoy each and every day that the home enjoy. In their first days they look like strangers with no one to really share Rusike but as time goes on they become experts in almost every activity done at the home and everyone's friend.

Most of our friends come from the UK, America or Australia being the most popular. The home can hardly spend a year without having a friend from Australia and this shows that there is a great bond. These friends come so that they know the welfare of the children and to have a better communication and relationship with the children. They also improve the interaction with whites and remove communication barriers as the children become familiar with them. They become best friends to us and when it is time for them to return back home it is not simple to say goodbye to each other. There is a creation of great intimacy between the children and these friends.

The children are encouraged to study hard helped by the volunteer wherever they come across difficulty, especially English. It would be unfair to deny that if it wasn't for these friends the home would not be in existence. When these friends leave, they do not forget about us but go and tell their friends about the Home and what is lacking. This helps to build international friendships.

Together we chat, laugh, make jokes, smile and play. We share everything and do all sorts of fun things together. We entertain each other and make each day joyous for everyone. We become free to each other and free from being isolated and lonely. Therefore it is of great sincerity for the children, the staff members and everything that belongs to Matthew Rusike to have these friends around. The children feel cared for, loved, comforted and inspired when they have such friends who are there for them. May God's love, care, comfort and blessings be with all the friends of Matthew Rusike and to all that wishes to be part of the family members, the doors are opened for you. We will give you the warmest welcome for we love you all. Once you become Matthew Rusike's friend you become our family member.