Global Giving UK : Chipinge and The Tekeshe Foundation

I have never been to Chipinge before and I must confess that a week before we travelled I had to make use of Google Maps to find out where exactly I was going – Rimbi. This is kind of embarrassing for someone who boldly proclaims to be ‘born and bred Zimbabwean’ but Oh Well, these are the perks of the job and Global Giving UK had awarded me a free tourist experience!

Located in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe Rimbi is a truly scenic destination and I had to consciously stop myself from taking pictures of the majestic baobab trees towering over thatched huts  with a backdrop of mountain over mountain. Zimbabwe really is a beautiful country and Rimbi is one of it’s jewels neatly tucked away in the Manicaland Province.

Sunset at Rimbi Clinic. The delapitaded building is an old nurses quarters that was destroyed by a cyclone. 

I felt soo at home the moment we arrived and before I go any further I would like to start off by saying THANK YOU to a family that took me in and made me one of their own right from the beginning:

• Gogo Spiwe Musungungure – I have one more grandmother now.
• Mai Masikati – Thank you for all the meals I think I gained some kilos.
• Sekuru Adonis Mutseyami – You checked up on me literally every 30 minutes and made sure the heat didn’t melt me away.
• Xithani and Jose – my young brothers.
• The Caregivers – Mai Ali, Mai Freeman and Co; we laughed so much.
• Mrs Musutane/Sithole and
• Mr Chitombo

Thank you!

The Tekeshe Foundation is one of Global Giving UK's overseas partners and is the brain child of US based Themla Sithole. I spent a weekennd with them as part of Global Giving UK's overseas evaluation programme. The Tekeshe foundation focuses on empowering and restoring dignity and hope by providing and promoting economic empowerment, advocating literacy and higher education for both boys and girls, while assisting AIDS/HIV patients and their families with social-economic help.  For background information and an introduction on how the Tekeshe foundation is supporting and shaping the future of the Rimbi community for the better please follow this link to my introductory blog post: http://myheartsimpressions.blogspot.com/2013/07/globalgivinguk-introducing-tekeshe.html

My weekend was so full of activity and I’ll be using the pictures below to narrate all the elements of the Tekeshe Foundation projects I saw in action. Enjoy!!! J

The Playtime Program

Our childhood years are critical in shaping our lives. In the rural areas Early Childhood Development is one element that is often overlooked, however, the Tekeshe foundation has stepped in to offer this free service to children aged between 3 - 5 years before they start Primary School. The Nursery is housed in one room and they are currently catering for 30 children. These kids are so full of energy and with the right start their future can only be brighter!! 

 ICT Project

I have always known there is a gap between rural areas and urban areas in regards to use of technology, however, this vague awareness was nothing compared to the startling size of this 'digital divide'. An example of this is Rimbi Primary School that has just over 1500 students from Grade 1 to Grade 7, however, has only 1 computer. This computer was donated by the Tekeshe Foundation in an effort to bridge this digital divide and they have done the same with Mbeure Primary school, that has two computers, and Rimbi Secondary school. They have also helped facilitate ICT training for teachers at all three of these schools and pictured below is one of the training sessions that ran throughout the weekend for three days. These teacher where given a run through of basic computer elements such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. I was pleasantly surprised by how eager to learn the teachers were and if this is a reflection of the hearts of all the students in rural Rimbi initiatives such as these must be supported and taken seriously. 

Teacher Training in Progress 

Mr Mupinda emphasizes a point during training . 

Two Primary School Teachers listen intently. 

A staff member works through the workshop questions. 

Two powecuts during the training weekend  meant we had to resort to the use of one laptop. As a result there was less hands on learning which is what most of the teachers where really keen on getting. 

The computer donated to Rimbi Primary School by the Tekeshe Foundation

Economic Empowerment: Sewing Project 

The primary focus of this program is to develop the entrepreneurship and employability skills for women and rural youth who are not enrolled in school. Pictured below are some of the young women that have been trained in dress making and are now making money sewing school uniforms that are then sold to the local school children. With more machines the Tekeshe foundation will be able to train more women in this trade an help them achieve self sustainability. 

 Community Support Projects

Through a model of volunteer caregivers The Tekeshe foundation has been able to reach out to those that are most needy in their community. These are often families that have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the elderly and the orphaned. Community caregivers where trained by the Tekeshe Foundation in 2006 and have since been vocal in advocacy support.  

The family pictured here is headed by a single mother of 5 and her house was destroyed by a fire 6 years ago. The Tekeshe Foundation came in to assist and built the hut you can see here. 

Two community caregivers having a laugh

Mbuya Chingoda, one of the elderly supported by this programme, benefits from food and clothing. 

Mai Kevi/Esther is open about her HIV status and has been a pillar in the Rimbi Community helping people overcome the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. 

Rimbi Clinic 

 Government run clinics in Zimbabwe often leave a lot to be desired, however, Rimbi Clinic is definitely an exception to the rule. You can see it painted bright blue from anywhere in the township and when you are there it's easy to see that the place is well kept. The Tekeshe Foundation has supported the clinic over the years by donating a number of items including an ambulance, medicines in short supply, bp machines, bedding and arranging for a doctor to visit monthly.

Mr Chitobo (Tekeshe Co-ordinator) and
Mr Mutseyami (Chairman of Rimbi Clinic board) pose for a picture. 

Mothering ward at Rimbi Clinic

An Ambulance donated to the Riimbi Clinic by the Donation. This was the only ambulance in a service area of approximately 10 000 people. Unfortunately the ambulance was involved in an accident and is no longer running. The Tekeshe foundation is currently seeking funds to buy a new ambulance.

The above is just a small glimpse of the work the Tekeshe Foundation has been doing in Rimbi and I encourage everyone reading this blog to also take a look at their website,  www.tekeshe.org . As I mentioned erlier the Tekeshe Foundation is also a Global Giving UK partner so anyone who wants to get involved can DONATE to them via Global Giving in a few quick and easy steps. Here is the link : http://www.globalgiving.org/donate/2975/tekeshe-foundation/ 

XOXO

Chido Dziva Chikwari