Pastor Keneth Tshuma of Bethel Baptist Church (far left) and other representatives of Jordan Orphanage Trust giving goods to the children (Photo K. Mavundutse).

Bethel Baptist church Pastor Keneth Tshuma bemoaned the lack of NGOs’ funding in their efforts to assist the underprivileged children. Tshuma is also the board secretary for Jordan Orphanage Trust.

Recent event organised by Tshuma’s trust in Kwekwe (central Zimbabwe) saw 25 orphans receive Christmas presents of food stuffs. Speaking at the event, Tshuma said that they are eager to give good life to the orphans but their organization is lacking funding. “There are no donors that are giving us assistance, so we are on our own. We fork out our own money to buy food for these orphans and also we try as we can to pay their school fees,” he said.

The Baptist pastor added, “I appeal to the local companies, churches and international non- governmental organizations to extend a hand in helping the orphans especially at Christmas.”

He further stated that it is everyone’s duty to look after the orphans in good and bad times. “If the situation is good the orphans are the last to be remembered and if the situation is bad they are the first to be affected.”

Jordan Orphanage Trust CEO Rosemary Madhaba said,” I thank God who have made us to be in a position to source the food for the children.”

Each hamper had 2kg of rice, 5kg of mealie meal, 750ml of cooking oil, 500g of salt, biscuits, 2kg of sugar, 2kg of flour, 500g of beans and nutritional porridge.

Jordan Orphanage Trust started its operations in 2011. Currently the organization has a branch in Kwekwe district.