The Zimbabwean Tragedy 

The situation in Zimbabwe has reached catastrophic proportions. It is going to take generations and massive assistance, with all kinds of aid for the country to recover from this horrific, unavoidable human tragedy. An inflation rate that is over 231miilion% as of early December 2008 (but is constantly changing and getting worse), an HIV infection rate of around 20% and an unemployment figure of 90% reinforces the miserable conditions the majority of people are living in. The total collapse of the medical system, the failure of food production, the breakdown of the education facilities along with the continual deterioration of basic services such as water, electricity supply and sewerage processing, places the average Zimbabwean in an extremely distressed situation and in desperate need of help.

Rubatsiro In Action

Rubatsiro seeks to provide assistance through the provision of food parcels, assistance with medical fees, school fees or any other specific need that may be brought to the attention of the trustees. Money collected in the New Zealand account is used to purchase food parcels (distributed by trusted friends in Zimbabwe), transfered to a ministry partner or directly to someone in need. Along with the food parcels, Christian literature is also provided encouraging the recipients to seek out a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Rubatsiro works through a specifically chosen group of trusted people in Zimbabwe whose mandate is to identify the specific needs and then deliver assistance to those people.

Over this last year over 180 food parcels have been provided and school fees paid for some children in need. Christian literature has also been handed out to the recipients of the food parcels.

The trustees of Rubatsiro Ministries are Hilary Kitto, Nick Burtenshaw, Joy Davidson, Adrian Maarschalk and Doug Maarschalk. These are the people responsible for the allocation of funds from the New Zealand account.