For over 55 years, Rooney's has been involved in the community in and around Harare and Zimbabwe. Rooney's values the wonderful work charities, churches, hospitals, schools and NGO's do for the people of Zimbabwe. Rooney's is actively involved in supporting 4 charities: Childline, Media for Development Fund (MFD), Island Hospice and ZNSPCA. For further information on these charities please see below.

Childline Zimbabwe

Childline Zimbabwe 31 Frank Johnson Avenue Eastlea Harare Zimbabwe Tel +263-793715/796741/252000 profficer@childline.org.zw www.childline.org.zw

Childline Zimbabwe is a unique Helpline service in Zimbabwe only similar to those in South Africa, United Kingdom, India, Australia, just to name a few. Child Helplines in the world have a common factor of operating a crisis line for children. The ultimate goal is to have  all African Helplines operating 116 and 116-111 for countries in Europe and Asia. However overall operations of Helplines are determined by the relevance of interventions to child protection issues in a country. Obviously issues of relevance in the United Kingdom could not equate to those of a country like Zimbabwe.  Childline Zimbabwe’s 116 crisis operates 24hrs with three telephone counsellors on duty on the three shifts of 0800hrs-1400hrs, 1400hrs-1800hrs and 1800hrs to 0800hrs. The Helpline is supported by drop-in centres in Harare ( Eastlea, Mbare, Glen-View, Dzivarasekwa) Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe, Zhombe, Silolbela, Mtoko, Mutasa, Mutare, Chiredzi, Chipinge and Tsholotsho.

Childline received a call on the Free Phone 961 Help line from a neighbour concerned about a 7-year old boy, Simba who had been left by his sick mother at a relative’s home, as she could no longer care for him. The neighbour was concerned that the relatives caring for Simba would not touch him, as they knew his mother was sick with HIV. Childline visited Simba, and spoke with them. The family explained that Simba’s father had died, there was no one else willing or able to care of Simba, and because they believed he was HIV positive, they also did not want this responsibility. Childline obtained consent to take Simba to The Centre, where he was tested for HIV. He was found to be extremely malnourished, and the volunteer doctor recommended immediate hospitalisation. Again, with the relatives consent, Childline facilitated Simba’s admission to Parirenyatwa Hospital who understandingly agreed to provide free treatment. Childline arranged for the relatives to visit Simba in hospital, but continued to wear gloves when touching him. After treatment, despite Childline trying to encourage the family to care for him, they were unwilling to do so. Therefore, with authority from the Dept. of Social Welfare, Childline then found Simba a place at a loving children’s home located near a reliable health facility. Good news is that Childline have succeeded getting the relatives to visit Simba at the Children’s Home, and Simba is making steady recovery. Childline continues to monitor his progress and to counsel him to cope with the feelings of rejection and abandonment, and his HIV status, and to support the staff caring for him.

12 Van Praagh Ave Milton Park Harare Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 701323\4 Usher.chitumba@gmail.com

 Media For Development Trust (MFDT) is a registered, non-profit making, social welfare organisation seeking to promote development through communication, particularly through the production and distribution of high quality, socially conscious films and videos that are relevant to the African audience.