Esteem facilitates Xmas cheer to children’s home

LOCAL branding company Esteem Communications last week brought cheer to children at Good Samaritan children’s home in Stoneridge, Harare.

The gesture, which was done under the theme Brands that Care, was facilitated by Esteem Communications in collaboration with Musabvunda Fitness and Lifestyle, Root Back, Kamili Investments, Gold Swift Construction Perfect Symphony as well as Zarrow Aesthetics.

The Good Samaritan Children’s Home was founded by Simon Motokari and his wife Sofia who have dedicated their lives to ensuring and offering a safe place and a brighter future for the young souls.

It has become a home for vulnerable children who include those that were abandoned and orphaned.

“When we started this journey, we had around 60 children that we fed daily,” Sofia said.

“Being a small organisation, we faced numerous obstacles, however, because of our determination, faith in God and perseverance we continued taking children in, and now we are blessed to care for 15 incredible children.”

Among the children, there is one who had a tragic beginning after being rescued from her abusive mother who was also a drug addict, teen mum and victim of neglect by and sexual abuse by a known neighbour's relative.

She gave birth at the tender age of 13 years, a child herself, she was ill equipped to be a mother herself, she represents the saddening reality faced by many young girls in this community.

Despite their challenging circumstances, the children at Good Samaritan

WITH just a few days before the year comes to an end 2023 was a busy calendar for the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Bishop Eric Ruwona who has been described as a workaholic.

Ruwona is also the Anglican Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ) chairperson which has six dioceses.

In February this year, Ruwona was acquitted of trumped up charges where he was accused of intimidating a witness who had reported him for corruption.

The complainant in the matter was Arnold Makamba, a headmaster at St Faith High School in Rusape.

Makamba said he had never reported Ruwona over corruption and was never intimidated.

Ruwona, who had preached unity in May, installed the dean of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland and rector of St John’s Cathedral Reverend Fortune Kuzinya in Mutare.

Kuzinya replaced Luke Chigwanda who is now the general secretary of ACZ.

Through ACZ, the church in June hosted the annual Bernard Mizeki pilgrimage in Marondera where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the guest of honour.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was accompanied by his deputy Constantino Chiwenga and Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri who is also a church member.

It was one of the historic pilgrimages where over

20 000 congregants

Children's Home find solace and support in the loving embrace of the Motokaris.

Simon said that leaving behind his pastoral duties to care for the children was an unquestionable decision for him.

“I knew that by taking on this responsibility I would be serving God while giving these children the chance of having a brighter future,” he said. attended to commemorate the life of the martyr who died in 1896.

There was no parking space at the pilgrimage as thousands of church members respected the day.

Mizeki was an African Christian missionary and martyr.

The pilgrimage came at a time the country was heading for the August 2023 elections and Ruwona, addressing the gathering in his welcoming remarks said his church was ready to mediate between political parties to de-escalate tensions in the country.

He told the gathering that the role of the church was to ensure peace prevails before and after the elections, whatever the outcome.

“Allow me to state that the ways churches operate differ. The Anglican Church in Central Africa does not engage in partisan politics,” Ruwona said.

“We are very patriotic and engage in all matters of national interest. We are there as referees and mediate when politics and communities disagree. This is why we run more than 100 schools in Zimbabwe and hospitals and clinics because the welfare of our commuchurch

“I am a father figure to the children, guiding them towards hope and giving them renewed sense of purpose.”

Esteem Communications representative Pearl Chingwena described the event as a celebration of unity and compassion.

“We have invited our community of brands to join hands and support others,” she said.

A representa- tive from Musabvunda nities is of great interest to us,” Ruwona told Mnangagwa.

“We are very patriotic and engage in all matters of national interest. We are there as referees and mediate when politics and communities disagree. This is why we run more than 100 schools in Zimbabwe and hospitals and clinics because the welfare of our communities is of great interest to us.” He added

Diocese-run schools are some of the country’s best performers when it comes to academic results and these include St Augustine, St Faith Mission, St David’s Bonda High, and St Annes Goto.

Enrolment has also given authorities at the schools headaches as thousands of parents flock the schools to seek quality education.

The church has announced plans to privatise its mission schools to improve the quality of education, a move that is set to empower local children by giving them scholarships among other benefits.

Most of the schools run by the also attract experienced personnel.

In an interview with the Standard Ruwona said 2023 was a fruitful year after accomplishing all their programmes.

“We were able to accomplish all our programmes and targets as a church, he said they have managed to recover after the Covid-19 era, we are now planning for the coming year; pray for peace in our country , we hosted President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Bernard Mizeki under the Anglican Council of Zimbabwe,” he said

Diocesan secretary Edmond Zambe Samutereko has been applauded for running the dayto -day affairs of the

church.

Fitness and Lifestyle Tafadzwa Masango highlighted their mission of providing affordable fitness training platforms and how they felt compelled to support the initiative.

“We have an academy dedicated to nurturing talented young athletes who cannot afford specialised training,” she said.

“At present, the academy boasts aspiring athletes, bodybuilders, and weight lifters, who are given the opportunity to perfect their skills and pursue their dreams.

“We are, thus, happy to play our part in giving back to society through this initiative.”

Perfect Symphony founder and director Tate Makayi said her brand focuses on empowering young girls and women to understand the changes their bodies go through during different stages of life.

“By fostering self-confidence and resilience, we aim to inspire the next generation of strong, independent individuals,” Makayi said.

Root Back representative Thelma Maina expressed her brand's mission to restore cultural values in children who may be losing their way.

“We strive to bring back a sense of heritage and identity, preserving the richness of Zimbabwean traditions for future generations,” she said.

“The Brands that Care is a platform to give back to the less privileged.”

Esteem Communications and their partners had not only shared Christmas cheer, but also provided much-needed resources for the Good Samaritan Children's Home.

The initiative donated food and nonfood relief items worth US$700 to the home in the Christmas spirit of giving.