Zara's Center Newsletter - August 2017 Edition

An after-school safe haven for orphans and vulnerable children in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Founded 2007

Zara's Center Newsletter

August 2017

Welcome From Our Director

Dear Friends of Zara’s Center,

Over the past two months, the Center has continued to make a positive difference in the lives of the children we serve.

In June and July 2017, Zara's Center:

Served over 4,000 nutritionally balanced meals to our children
Provided critical intervention in the areas of health and wellness
Provided clean water to our own children and to the extended community
Shared technology and office resources with local schools
Introduced new arts programming for our youngest children in partnership with Lalela.
Provided mentorship to our young adults who are aging out of Zara's programs

While we are very proud of these life-saving services, the most important thing Zara's Center provides is the opportunity for children to simply relax and have fun. When a vulnerable child with an unstable home has a carefree day filled with fun and learning, Zara's Center has truly succeeded in its mission of being a safe haven.

Indeed, the best part of my job is getting to hear the children’s laughter, watching them play in the sun, and hearing them break out in spontaneous song while preparing for lunch. What a privilege it is to witness such moments, especially when one remembers the painful situations in most of their homes. At least, for the time they are here at the Center, they can momentarily forget their hardships and have fun as children should.

I hope you enjoy the photos and updates below and thank you for your support for the children we serve.

Sincerely,

Gibson Connick
Executive Director, Zara’s Center

Zara's Center Updates & Photos

We are proud to report that many of Zara's older children won awards at the local high school’s end-of-term ceremony. The awards ranged from first aid to poetry to agriculture.

The Center had a visit from Colin Sapire, the founder and CEO of NutriBullet. Colin and his wife Caron recently joined our Board and are excited to help us develop a nutrition and agriculture program in the coming months. NutriBullet generously donated 10 blenders to the Center and our children have already begun experimenting with smoothie recipes.

Zara's received a generous donation of clothing from Petra Primary School. The school held a clothing drive to benefit vulnerable children in the community and Zara's kids were fortunate to be included.

Emganwini High School gifted Zara's Center with four bags of maize as a thank you for the Center's assistance this past term. Zara's has been permitting the school to use our copier, as they lack enough text books for all of their students. Many of Zara's older kids attend Emganwini High School and it has been our pleasure to help.

The Center's canine mascot, Zara Bella, has developed an incredible bond with Charles G., one of Zara's youngest children. Charles is 6 years old and loves to play with Zara Bella as often as possible. Zara Bella will let Charles lay on her, play with her ears, and do just about anything. It's a truly beautiful friendship (see photo below).

Millicent M. won a poetry award and first aid certificate from her school.

Colin Sapire (CEO of NutriBullet) spent part of his visit teaching our kids how to make nutritious smoothies.

Charles G. and Zara Bella relax together.

Millicent and Enara work together to do research for their homework assignment.

Bridget has become quite good on the piano. There is usually a group of children standing close to her in absolute silence while she plays.

Prisca and Sarah love making paper art.

Enjoying lunch

A big thank you to Petra Primary School in Bulawayo for donating warm clothes to the children at Zara's Center.

Run in the NYC Marathon!

Zara's Center is running in the 2017 TCS NYC Marathon on November 5, 2017 and there are two spots left on this year's team.

Each team member is guaranteed a spot in the NYC Marathon and raises money for the Center through sponsorships from family and friends. Funds raised by past teams have helped pay for food, school fees, job training, and academic enrichment for the 125 children we serve.

The application and registration process for Team Zara 2017 is now underway. If you're interested in running for Zara's Center in 2017, please email our US Program Director, Jessica Briggs, at JessicaSBriggs@gmail.com.

To learn more about NYC Marathon charity teams, click here.

Support Zara's Center

Donate by credit card and have your donation processed by PayPal.
Simply click the "Donate" button below.

Donations are tax-deductible.

Zara's Center is supported by the PG Family Foundation. The Foundation was officially incorporated as The Jonathan Plutzik and Lesley Goldwasser Family Foundation in the State of NY. The Foundation is a designated charitable entity as described in U.S. Tax Code Section 501(c)(3). The Center is registered as a Charitable Trust in Zimbabwe. Registered as "Zara's Centre Trust" (Registered Trust: MA137/2007)