ZIMBABWE AIDS ORPHANS SOCIETY - Zimbabwen Aids-Orvot ry

EDUCATION WILL HELP THE ORPHANSTO DEVELOP THEIR OWN COUNTRY2011 - an eventful yearWork in developing countries poses many challengesbut it also brings many rewards. In this respect, 2011was no exception. On the positive side, as in previousyears, we count the continuing support given by sponsorsand other donors, the children’s enthusiasm andsmiling faces, and the valuable contribution made by ourmany volunteers in both Zimbabwe and Finland. Specificallyin Zimbabwe, the support and initiative of theDzikwa Trust Fund Board and staff are essential to thesuccess of the whole programme. However, serious andcontinuous challenges that we have to face are continuouscost pressures, securing a regular flow of funds, andstrengthening fundraising in Zimbabwe.Our facilities in Zimbabwe have improved beyond measure,as the kitchen/dining block has been in full use fora whole year and the new ICT block was inaugurated inMay 2011. In 2012 we shall have better washrooms forthe children. All that will then be lacking are the officeblock and caretaker’s accommodation.A good example of local cooperation is the reforestationproject, in which Bindura University of Science Educationis supporting the Dzikwa Trust Fund, working welltogether with Helsinki University’s Viikki Tropical ResourcesInstitute (VITRI).School charges continue to rise, pressured by the lowsalaries paid to teachers and the need to maintain andrefurbish school buildings. We have to be prepared todownscale activities. This is never an agreeable task butit is one that we cannot avoid. We have already had tostop supporting Omega group children who were not doingsufficiently well at school and downsize the DzikwaShelter for homeless orphans. We have also had to takechildren out of private schools unless the sponsors agreeto cover the full costs. If fundraising does not producethe desired results, we shall have to make further cuts tovarious support services. Naturally, we hope that donorswill continue to be generous; every gift to our Society isa gift to the orphans.A particularly joyful event was the award by Finland’sPresident Tarja Halonen of the Knighthood of the Orderof the White Rose of Finland to Oili Wuolle. The award,announced in the Independence Day honours list, wasgiven in recognition of our 20 years of work for the benefitof the orphans. I had the great honour to present themedal to Oili in January.We shall celebrate our 20th anniversary by continuingour efforts to improve the lives of orphans in Zimbabwe.There is no end to the work in sight, and we thereforecall on each one of you to continue your generosity andsupport.Peter RehnströmChairman of the Boardpeter.rehnström@tfif.fiOur financial framework is now in place for the next threeyears: Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs has awardeda development aid grant, albeit smaller than previously,for another three years, with the reminder that this is thelast time our project will qualify for the grant. We musttherefore put even greater effort into developing the ownershipof Dzikwa’s operations in Zimbabwe. Our localpartner must get Zimbabwean organisations and privateindividuals to support the programme with donations,both cash and in kind, and through volunteer work.Bindura’s Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Mwenje,visits the reforestation areaOili receives her award3