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Executive Director's update - June / July 2009
Just Children Foundation
August 17, 2009

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Dear Friends

I hope I find all of you well and that as we enter into the second half of 2009, God has been manifesting Himself to you. As always I am happy to report that we continue to be witnesses to the Lord's faithfulness in the work that we are doing with the children of Zimbabwe.

I, however, regret to inform you that we lost one of our staff members at Come Unto Me Centre, Sakina Mbaula on July 15. She left a gap that would be hard to fill. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

1. Situation in the country

People in Zimbabwe are bracing for the drafting of the new godly national constitution that would deal with the source of the many problems that had plagued the nation to date.

The building of anything is determined by the strength of its foundation. I believe the constitutional reforms are a major part of our foundation. We need them to be godly.

2. Highlights of children's issues

By July 30, 2009, we had a total of 107 children in residence, 49 at Faith & Hope Centre and 67 at Come Unto Me Centre in Karoi. The numbers however have continued to fluctuate on a daily basis as the reunification drive moved from strength to strength. We want to deliberately intensify this. We also want to scale our follow-ups, so that we ensure a continuation of strong and helpful support for the children we would have reunited.

(a) Reunifications

• We had a total of 9 reunifications over the last two months. John Tembo, Tawanda Mungate, Pride and Primrose Chiponda and Tinomutenda Tichaona were reunited with their relatives. The Chiponda children where reunited with their maternal grandparents on July 1.
• On the same day, Tatenda Chaka was also reunited with her family in Gutu after four years in our care.
• Tinomudaishe Siyangapi was reunited with his maternal grandparents in Mwenezi on July 2 after our efforts, together with the Mwenezi Social Welfare to trace his relatives spanning 7 years. This is a miracle.
• Tawanda and Tinashe Majidu were reunited with their aunt in Nyazura on July 7 in Tumbare Village, Chief Makoni's area.
• Talent Mugadhuyi was relocated to Come Unto Me Centre pending reunification.
• Kariba Social Welfare referred to us another child, Preference Jimu, and is currently at Come Unto Me Centre as a place of safety. The child has a physical challenge, having suffered a paralysis early in her life. Efforts to locate her family are still underway.

(b) Skills Training

• Fidelis and Knowledge are doing exceptionally well in their motor mechanic course, and are currently on attachment at a local garage.
• Terrence is doing very well, especially in practical subjects at Ponesai Vanhu Technical College.
• Kufunda Village, which trained 10 of our girls in permaculture has offered to train a further 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) from August 7 - 21, 2009. This is such a good partnership we are developing with Chido Govera, who organized the training. Chido has special links with the founder of Come Unto Me Centre. I do pray that we shall have stronger and productive relationships with them through these links.

(c) Health

• A few of our children had to be hospitalised for various ailments. Enerty Tsoka has not been feeling well for the greater part of month and is currently on medication.
• Nyasha Makamba also suffered a swollen leg during the course of July but she has since recovered.
• Simbarashe Sithole suffered mild burns on his hands and feet following an electric shock but is now well after being taken for treatment.
• But we have been spared from many of the sicknesses prevailing in our nation. This is the hand of God. Our centre heads, Idai Maguri and Sheila Matombo have done exceptionally well in this regard. I highly honour and appreciate these two ladies for their exceptional centre administration.

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