Thank you David for sharing this story. As Buddhists we are encouraged to give - time, energy, donations, etc- as a way of rejoicing to be able to help other beings. Sometimes, we want to give but don't always know how, or what to whom. You offer us opportunities! Thank you so much for sharing these opportunities with us🙏 I rejoice in the possibilities you offer to give to other beings. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
"May all beings have happiness and their causes ....." 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for researching and finding these opportunities to give and to help people in need of support. Being of some little help in that is a gift in itself. May all beings benefit.
I just love that first picture you shared of “lunchtime at the Centre”... I see myself in that Mama’s smile: feeding your young one is a tangible and universal joy ❤️
When Ken and I were poised to move to Zimbabwe some thirty years ago I was determined to live away from the city and devote my time to two causes. One was conservation and secondly , I wanted to fund a women’s clinic, and direct it as a U.S. educated Registered Nurse. My primary goal was to provide women with choices , and therefore some control over their lives and their bodies through birth control and education. Does this charity do some of that work? It appears to me that this is the best place to start with many of the problems in Zimbabwe.
I was involved with several maternal-child health projects in southern and central Africa. All provided family planning education and access to family planning supplies, as well as growth monitoring for children and nutrition education. The programs also included immunizations and maternal management of common causes of morbidity, such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Often, we accessed additional funding for treated mosquito nets and wells for clean water access.
You might find it interesting to google USAID Child Survival.
Yes they certainly do. But like most other not-for-profits they are understaffed and underfunded. It''s great that you have such a clear understanding of what's needed, Sheila.
I did not answer before, because my tears did not let me to write or think. I know you did not want this reaction, but the situation of the different kids that maybe are not the only ones, and the adults there in Zimbabwe are to move the hardest hearts.
Thank you for your blessed heart that helps all of them.
Yes David, thank you for sharing the story and for the work you were doing and how far it extends around the globe. I hope there are more subscribers so you continue your ongoing and new efforts.
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering!
David thanks for the heads up. When we have a meal with anyone from the family, I have a habit (Scott would say an annoying one), of asking at some point in the meal: “I wonder what the poor people are doing”. Now I know. We are very spoilt here. Thank-you for your efforts on our behalf.
I drove near Chitungwiza every time I went to Bulawayo! We worked at a college, now university, that was about halfway between Bulawayo and Plumtree. At one time, there was a wonderful art centre, the Mzilikazi Centre, where soapstone sculpting, ceramics, tile painting, and other art was taught, and as I recall, it was somewhere near Chitungwiza. My daughter was born at Mater Dei Hospital and I learned to fly airplanes at Induna Field east of Bulawayo near the cement factory. So many wonderful memories from our years there.
Sadly, it was also during Mugabe’s Gukarahundi, when so many were murdered by the North Korean -trained 5th Brigade. We never traveled at night and eventually had demobilized troops assigned to us for security reasons. One of the most difficult experiences in my life was the massacre at the New Adam’s Farm, which was not far from where we lived. It was an interracial, cooperative farming community built on the premise that reconciliation, empathy, and brotherly love could make it possible for people of all races to live together peacefully.
Blessings on your work. You are living the dream, at least one I cherish.
Thank you David for sharing this story. As Buddhists we are encouraged to give - time, energy, donations, etc- as a way of rejoicing to be able to help other beings. Sometimes, we want to give but don't always know how, or what to whom. You offer us opportunities! Thank you so much for sharing these opportunities with us🙏 I rejoice in the possibilities you offer to give to other beings. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
"May all beings have happiness and their causes ....." 🙏🙏🙏
My sincere thanks for your beautiful message, Marianne.
Thank you for researching and finding these opportunities to give and to help people in need of support. Being of some little help in that is a gift in itself. May all beings benefit.
I just love that first picture you shared of “lunchtime at the Centre”... I see myself in that Mama’s smile: feeding your young one is a tangible and universal joy ❤️
When Ken and I were poised to move to Zimbabwe some thirty years ago I was determined to live away from the city and devote my time to two causes. One was conservation and secondly , I wanted to fund a women’s clinic, and direct it as a U.S. educated Registered Nurse. My primary goal was to provide women with choices , and therefore some control over their lives and their bodies through birth control and education. Does this charity do some of that work? It appears to me that this is the best place to start with many of the problems in Zimbabwe.
I was involved with several maternal-child health projects in southern and central Africa. All provided family planning education and access to family planning supplies, as well as growth monitoring for children and nutrition education. The programs also included immunizations and maternal management of common causes of morbidity, such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Often, we accessed additional funding for treated mosquito nets and wells for clean water access.
You might find it interesting to google USAID Child Survival.
That sounds very interesting and I will Google it. My husband has done a lot of work with USAID in Africa over the last three decades.
Any chance I will meet you at Mindfull Safari this summer?
Yes they certainly do. But like most other not-for-profits they are understaffed and underfunded. It''s great that you have such a clear understanding of what's needed, Sheila.
Great work David. We don’t know how lucky we are in the developed world. So stop whinging.
You are so right, Tom. Most of us have no idea of our constant good fortune.
Thank you for sharing the message from ROKPA and giving us a chance to help them.
Hello David
I read this article with enormous interest and especially as it was about the work of ROKPA.
Our much missed Akong Rinpoche was my teacher and Refuge Guru at Samye Ling. 🏴
So happy to hear of the continued good work of ROKPA.
Thankyou David
How fortunate for you to have Aklong Rinpoche as your guru!
Dearest David,
I did not answer before, because my tears did not let me to write or think. I know you did not want this reaction, but the situation of the different kids that maybe are not the only ones, and the adults there in Zimbabwe are to move the hardest hearts.
Thank you for your blessed heart that helps all of them.
Blessings to you
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
My heartfelt thanks for your kind message, Rossy!
Yes David, thank you for sharing the story and for the work you were doing and how far it extends around the globe. I hope there are more subscribers so you continue your ongoing and new efforts.
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering!
My heartfelt thanks for your kind message, Pamela!
Is there a way to help this organization directly?
Thank you for your kind interest, Cathie. Viv has passed on the following bank details:
ROKPA Support Network’s USD bank details are:
ZB Bank, Avondale Branch
Harare.
Swiftcode: ZBCOZWHX
Account no 4113765363405
Should you experience any difficulties with this account, please contact Viv on Admin@rsn.co.zw
Thank you for sharing the heartwarming update and for creating a channel through which we can help support the charity's work in the world. 💜🙏🏻📿🧘🏻♀️
David thanks for the heads up. When we have a meal with anyone from the family, I have a habit (Scott would say an annoying one), of asking at some point in the meal: “I wonder what the poor people are doing”. Now I know. We are very spoilt here. Thank-you for your efforts on our behalf.
Dear David
Thank you so much for finding and giving to these causes and making lives better with small contributions from your subscribers.
Thanks to Chitungwisa for sharing stories with us of the people who they help to make lives easier.
So grateful to be able to contribute, if only a little.
Thank you for the opportunities you find and share with us
My heartfelt thanks, Margaret.
I drove near Chitungwiza every time I went to Bulawayo! We worked at a college, now university, that was about halfway between Bulawayo and Plumtree. At one time, there was a wonderful art centre, the Mzilikazi Centre, where soapstone sculpting, ceramics, tile painting, and other art was taught, and as I recall, it was somewhere near Chitungwiza. My daughter was born at Mater Dei Hospital and I learned to fly airplanes at Induna Field east of Bulawayo near the cement factory. So many wonderful memories from our years there.
Sadly, it was also during Mugabe’s Gukarahundi, when so many were murdered by the North Korean -trained 5th Brigade. We never traveled at night and eventually had demobilized troops assigned to us for security reasons. One of the most difficult experiences in my life was the massacre at the New Adam’s Farm, which was not far from where we lived. It was an interracial, cooperative farming community built on the premise that reconciliation, empathy, and brotherly love could make it possible for people of all races to live together peacefully.
Blessings on your work. You are living the dream, at least one I cherish.
How wonderful that you know this beautiful part of the world. I remember hearing about the New Adam's Farm massacre. Dark days indeed.
Thank you so much for your kind wishes!
❤ xoxo
I'd love to send a donation to Chitungwiza. Could you please provide me with a link?
This is from Viv: Should you wish to send a donation to us directly,
ROKPA Support Network’s USD bank details are:
ZB Bank, Avondale Branch
Harare.
Swiftcode: ZBCOZWHX
Account no 4113765363405
Should you experience any difficulties with this account, please contact Viv on Admin@rsn.co.zw
Your support means a lot to us!