Ruoko RwaMwari: A Beacon of Hope in Action

It is claimed that, a sculpture of Jesus Christ did exist outside a Catholic Church in San Diego, California. However, the hands of the sculpture were broken off by vandals around 1980. Instead of repairing the hands of the sculpture, the church decided to put up a plaque at the base that states, "I have no hands but yours,” reiterating the fact that Christians are the ambassadors of Christ and the hands of Christ assisting his children, who are our fellows in community. Here in Zimbabwe somewhere in the red soils of Mount Hampden lies an orphanage, which as suggested by its name, “Ruoko RwaMwari,” is of great need of us the hands of the Lord to assist.

On the Youth In Action Association’s visit on the 8th of June 2024, in partnership with Sabre Business World as well as Multipartnerships Pvt. Ltd, there was a chance for the youth to converse with the residents of Ruoko RwaMwari Home. 35 children, the youngest of them being 4years old live cramped in structures that are nearly dilapidated. They are under the care of five kind-hearted mothers who see to their welfare, reliance being on the good hearted donors who remember to spare what they can to aid in the day-to-day lives of these children since they cannot balance cooking, washing and handling the affairs of these children with working.

Ruoko RwaMwari Home is filled with children who have joined the large family due to circumstances that differ from child to child, the major being orphan hood. The youngest child there, identified as Faith lost her mother, the only recognized parent at the tender age of six weeks, without any vivid picture of her biological mother is in the care of the foster mothers and siblings, the only family she knows.

 The children, on the day of the visit were bursting with excitement as they got to see the members of the YIAA who had come specifically to visit them. Others, chose to keep their distance until summoned due to what one may regard as a feeling of disengagement with the outer community. The day began with introductions through fun and interesting games followed by the speech from the youngest member of the organization, Lucy who encouraged her peers to respect and love one another as well as the mothers whose care they are under. Divine, also expressed the importance of empathy as they dwell together in such a big family and other members also shared their pieces to the children who had been the focus of the visit.

The Youth In Action Association members engaged into conversations with the children and some of their grievances were that they walk quite a distance to fetch water though appreciation is to be given to Beta Bricks as they fetch water from there. They also expressed concern over their school fees as most of them attend school at Alpha for they have dreams of being successful people when they grow up, doctors, lawyers, regardless of their current situation and surely, hope is a virtue. One or two showcased vocal talents, with interest in music and hope to get an opportunity to record. One of the missing aspects that are crucial in these children’s lives is that of religion, some indicated that they would like to go to church, if they find a church which would be easier to attend and accommodate all of them.

A visit to the children’s rooms was taken, some to the boys’ rooms and others to the girls’. One could not help but notice the shortage in space, bedding, and detergents to clean their environment. The ladies took it upon themselves to privately explain about abuse to the young girls and encouraged them to resist and report perpetrators to their mothers. In conversing with the house mothers, it is clear that there are still good people in the world. It is not easy for one to dedicate life to nurturing underprivileged children and fending for thirty five of them. Their major concern is that of land since the living conditions are not favorable. They express the need for proper shelter for these children for they are many and being in a cramped space might lead to an outbreak of various diseases and infections like flu amongst others. They, due to the increase of responsibilities cannot find time to work out there where they used to carry bricks and other menial jobs to earn a living. Due to the El Nino they lost a lot of produce for they had with great difficulty planted maize in the red and dusty soils of Mt Hampden and there was insufficient rain to water it. They also expressed concern over the nourishment of the children as they find it difficult to have a balanced diet since they sometimes eat plain starch due to unavailability of vegetables, the basic tomatoes, onions to feed thirty five children at least twice a day.

It is up to us as the Zimbabwean Society and beyond, to be the hand of the Lord, “Ruoko rwaMwari,” remembering those without the privileges we have been granted.