As many of you know, one of the most extraordinary parts of my life has been my involvement in ZimKids, a registered charity in Zimbabwe that feeds 160 orphans and their caregivers, and takes care of their pressing medical needs and school fees. Started and run by my good friend Dennis Gaboury and assisted by Tinashe Basa, Sipho Nyoni, Prosper Mohdi and the council of elders, ZimKids works every day to better the lives of these children in Pumula North, one of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s poorest and most underserved neighborhoods.
Being invited to join this worthy organization as a trustee and working to raise money and supplies to positively affect the lives of so many children is deeply satisfying and motivating. On my last trip to Zimbabwe in January, we talked about the organizations' dreams for the future – to someday build our very own Center for ZimKids; a compound with a security fence, a sustainable garden and a number of structures to include a clinic, computer center, performance space and bathrooms, etc. After our visit to see the children of ZimKids going about their activities at Amaswazi Primary school, we took a drive through Pumula Township to look at the 2.5 acres of land the city had deeded to ZimKids. Something absolutely and truly magical happened. My cousin Martin was sitting in the car with us and what more do I need to say. In the most extraordinary act of generosity, Martin committed to provide the funding for the center and to encourage his good friend Marty Schwarz to join him. Thank you Martin and Marty.
Martin has stipulated one condition – that the Center be named the “Adrian Suskin Center for ZimKids”. This "dream come true" has fast forwarded this wonderful organization 10 years into the future. We cannot even begin to imagine the ways in which this Center will impact and positively change so many people’s lives. The first phase of construction will begin shortly. I will be very involved in the progress of the Center and have frequent trips planned to Zimbabwe over the next year to monitor things and assist where needed.
We hope that the grand opening will happen soon after the first of next year (2012). We imagine that it will be presided over by the Minister of Education, the Minister of National Healing and Reconciliation, as well as the Mayor, the Member of Parliament, and Ward Counselor from Bulawayo. Martin and I will be there and we can only hope that some of you may be able to join us.
On a personal note, I have to express my profound thanks and appreciation to my cousin Martin. I am so fortunate that he is a part of our family. He is all the things we wish we could be - kind, generous and giving with a giant “heart of gold”.
I would also like to thank Dennis for all he has done and continues to do for this worthy organization. I am proud to call him my friend.
For those of you who would like to donate to ZimKids, Global Giving is having a special day on March 16th, 2011. They will match every dollar donated with 30% of their funds up to $1,000 per donor! So if you make a $10 donation they will add $3 to that donation. There is $75,000 available in matching funds for March 16th. Once these matching funds are used, they will no longer be matching for that special day.
Carpe Diem.
