At A Glance
ZIMKIDS at a Glance
Zimkids Orphan Trust is a Zimbabwean Charitable Trust, Registration # MA29/2009
For the past four years, Zimkids has been helping young people cope with life in a country ravaged by AIDS, corruption, and violence, where the life expectancy is 34 years of age. Zimkids not only feeds orphans but pays for their medical needs and gives the access to educational and recreational programs. Zimkids is entirely self-funded, based on the work or the children themselves. They make dolls and wire toys – as they do for their own pleasure – which Dennis takes to the U.S. to sell. We allocate 100% of the proceeds from each doll ($25) to the child who made the doll, which will feed them and their caregivers for a month.
Meeting Place: Amaswazi Primary School, Pumula North, Bulawayo
Beneficiaries: 160 (as of September 9, 2009) Orphans from Pumula North and Robert Sinyoka
Trustees: Sipho Nyoni, Prosper Mohdi, Tinashe Basa, Dennis Gaboury, Adrian Suskin
Meeting days: 3 afternoons and all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon
Council of Elders: Believing in empowering youth, in 2009 we formed the Council of Elders composed of our beneficiaries over the age of 16. Each member selects an activity (as described above), alone or as a team, formulates plans, schedules and directs it with guidance from Trustees.
Activities: Sewing, crafts, Drawing, Drama and Comedy writing, performing and directing, Boys and Girls soccer, Zimkids magazine developed and produced for and by the orphans, Comics drawing, chess club, choir, dancing, both traditional and modern, general drawing.
Medical Oversight: Dr Sashka Macsimovic holds monthly clinics and workshops for Zimkids and their caregivers. Zimkids provides funding for medications and, in some cases, transport for beneficiaries to hospital
Food Distribution: Each child receives a basic monthly food package consisting of 20 – 25 kg Maize Meal, 2 litres cooking oil, assorted vegetables. If there is enough money we occasionally supplement the basic package with eggs, chicken, beef, mathemba, beans, sugar, or salt.
Contact Information: Dennis Gaboury email:
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or
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Tinashe Basa email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sipho Nyoni email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Adrian Suskin email
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Funding Sources: Churches, schools and private donors from the United States
How to Contribute: You may assist us with tax deductible donations by going to www.globalgiving.com and type zimkids in the search field. Follow directions to donate.
OTHER WAYS TO ASSIST
Bring your church, arts group or civic organization into the ZimKids family by arranging for a doll sale or soliciting donations. We’re not only looking for money but for laptops for our educational program. We are also looking for unsophisticated microscopes and chess games. Depending on your location and timing, Dennis will gladly make a personal visit.
