Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Commemorations
The Matthew Rusike Children’s Home (MRCH) commemorations are done every year in the month of June in remembrance of the great work being done by the home of caring for the vulnerable children. This year the commemorations were held from 2-8 June with the Big Sundays being held on 9 and 15 June in Harare and Bulawayo respectively. This years’ theme Trusting God in all circumstances (Habakkuk 3:17-18) comes at the right time when the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home is in dire straits as the home seeks to reduce the capacity because of financial constraints. The theme strengthens the church to soldier on even in times of hardships and this is a motivation for the people called Methodists to strive in order to keep up the good work of housing vulnerable children. Due to the economic hardships the home is resorting to reduce the number of children that are housed at the home in Epworth. This therefore is a call to the Methodists and all the people from various walks of life for the financial support of the home such that the capacity is not reduced.
According to the MRCH week booklet for 2025, MRCH has got 8 Housing units/families open to look after children and each House is manned by a Caregiver/ House Parent. In other words, there are 8 family units at MRCH and each family unit has got an average of 12 children, boys and girls of different age groups from 0 to 18 years. The Home has gone for two years in a roll with a salary backlog and other statutory obligations of 6/7 months. In a bid to contain the costs, the Home is going through a downsizing program. They are working closely with the Regulating Authority; the Department of Social Development on the process of reducing their capacity from 100 children to 60, (8 Houses to 5). This is a gradual process which is being monitored cautiously. Even though MRCH intends to reduce its capacity, they remain sensitive to cases of emergencies that require attention in the protection of children.
In the preface of the MRCH Week Booklet the Acting Missions Director Revd Dr. D. Muzenda mentioned that “As people called Methodists, Zimbabwean conference it is that special time again that we pause and reflect on the work of grace started by Rev Matthew Jacha Rusike looking after disadvantaged children in different contexts. It is our God given obligation to be actively involved in the caring work and provide a better present environment and a promising future.” It is from such encouraging words that the church should focus on its obligation of caring for the vulnerable children with God being the helper in times such as these so that the work that was initiated by the church through the servant of God Revd Matthew Jacha Rusike may not be in vain but should be fulfilled in its entirety.
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