By Tavonga Munyanyi
SHURUGWI – Matthew Rusike Donga Child Care Center, an extension of the Matthew Rusike
Children’s Home under the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe scooped first position under the
Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming scheme and third position in small grain farming, demonstrating its
commitment to supporting orphans and vulnerable children through agriculture.
The center, located in Pavi village under Chief Ndanga in Shurugwi, hosted a field day on April
27 to celebrate its achievements.
Addressing farmers during the event, guest of honour and Agricultural Business Advisory
Supervisor for wards 3, 8, 9 and 10, Memory Chitava, encouraged every farmer to acquire
knowledge through Farmer Field Schools and Master Farmer Training to enhance yields.
“As farmers, you must develop a zeal to learn. Acquiring knowledge from Agricultural Business
Advisor Officers is very crucial because they are the sources of appropriate information, which is
a necessity for every farmer’s success.
“Each and every village must have a Farmer Field School, and every farmer must be trained
under Master Farmer Training. This will help you elevate your standards as a farmer,” said
Chitava.
She urged farmers to be cautious during the harvesting period to avoid post-harvest losses.
“During harvesting, one must be careful to avoid unnecessary losses. Without diligence, you may
labour in vain. As farmers, you must set targets towards your goals without recklessness,” she
said.
Speaking to TellZim News after the event, Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Director Reverend
Linrielink Mutendzwa said he was thrilled by the farmers’ performance and dedication.
“I’m thrilled with the farmers’ achievements. They did extremely well. Their dedication to
promoting food security for orphans and vulnerable children is an earnest gesture,” said Rev
Mutendzwa.
He described farming as a technique that transforms and empowers one’s life.
“Farming alleviates hunger and starvation in daytoday life. In Epworth, we are practising
farming at a commercial level.
We want children to gain more farming skills through working in the fields. We want them to be
empowered and selfreliant because there is life after the children’s home. Farming is mitigating
the effects of drug and substance abuse because the majority of children at the home are
spending ample time working in the fields and engaging in different agricultural practices,” he
said.
He said despite its farming success, Matthew Rusike Donga Child Care Center is plagued by
dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate water supply, and financial constraints.
“The organisation is striving to assist its beneficiaries, but our buildings are now dilapidated. We
drilled a borehole which supplies inadequate water. We also face financial constraints to pay
school fees for our beneficiaries.
“We therefore appeal for assistance from wellwishers in cash or kind – it will make a difference.
We need another borehole that sustains the centre with adequate water supply. We don’t have
appropriate infrastructure for our roadrunner chicken and piggery projects,” said Mutendzwa.
Matthew Rusike Donga Child Care Development Officer Lloyd Kupeta expressed appreciation
to Agricultural Business Advisors for imparting farming skills.
“I want to thank Agricultural Business Advisors for providing us with farming knowledge, which
has brought successful results,” said Kupeta.
He emphasised the importance of timeliness, stating it has positive impacts on plant growth at
every stage and said the prolonged dry spell and heavy rains affected the organisation’s
expectations.
“It is important to commence land preparation and plant seeds in time. As a farmer, you must
keep records to ensure accuracy.
“During this farming season, our crops were affected by a prolonged dry spell. Heavy rains also
affected us towards the harvesting period, contributing to some losses,” he said.
Despite working tirelessly to produce better yields, shortage of farming equipment and human
resources are affecting the organisation’s progress.
“We are trying to sustain our children through food security, but we have few farming
equipment. We are only two farmers. We appeal for assistance from wellwishers through
equipment and from those who want to assist us by working in the fields,” said Kupeta.
He urged farmers to prioritise small grain farming, stating that these are droughtresistant crops
that promote a healthy lifestyle.
“Farmers, let’s prioritise small grain farming because they can survive without enough water.
Sorghum and finger millet meal may appear dull in colour, but it is very healthy,” he said.
As the farming season approaches harvest, Matthew Rusike Donga Child Care Center expects to
reap one and a half tonnes of maize, approximately a quarter tonne of finger millet, and a quarter
tonne of groundnuts.
The centre currently supports 88 children in Shurugwi district.
