Tony Waite Organisation was established in 1993 as a result of the vision of Tony Waite, the man after whom the organisation is formed. From its humble beginnings, the organisation was able to weather the economic challenges of the last decade (2000 – 2010). Through the efforts of dedicated staff coupled with financial support from international development partners and local institutional stakeholders, it has been possible to continue the programmes aimed primarily at those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS within the Kariba urban and rural environments.
Tony Waite Organisation operates in all wards of Kariba District Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The organisation thrives to offer robust professional palliative care to people infected and affected by HIV and other chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, TB and other non-communicable dieses. The primary gist of the organisation is psychosocial and educational support to orphans and vulnerable children, health education to women and girls, SRHR education to adolescents, livelihood projects for people living with HIV and GBV survivors in Kariba as well as other developmental issues including infrastructural development issues.
Tony Waite Organisation has become a yearly beneficiary of the Kariba fun run event adding to other partners and the organisation has been relieved and managed to run its programs and projects. It is important to note that the organisation during the time the grant was availed it was needed most to monitor Manhanga Primary School Construction Project where the organisation was constructing 3 classroom blocks, a teacher’s house, gentrification of the old teacher’s house, fencing the school and provision of solar power at the teachers houses since the grant had no provision for monitoring hence partnered Kariba fun run to achieve the overall objective as this improved school learning environment for rural learners. The project was being funded by the Japanese Embassy. The organisation also utilized the funds for transport costs for a majestic official handover takeover ceremony of Manhanga Primary School an event which was graced by Deputy Ambassador of Japanese Embassy, one of the founders of Tony Waite Organisation Mr Gumbo, Minister of State Marry Mliswa, district development coordinator, Nyami nyami Rural district council, Provincial Education Director and other district heads. See photos from original thatched classroom to a stardard finished blocks and handover
Through the Harare round table funds the organisation has also managed to buy milk formular for 4 orphans whose mothers deceased during child birth and continued with orphans feeding programme reaching to a total of 140 (54M 86F) with (10KG mealie meal and 2l cooking oil) to OVC who were no longer receiving food items due to the fact that there was no other support even the fish heads from Lake Harvest as they are now selling whole tilapia breams. Still in the same vein the organisation has also managed to pay for parks fees Christmas Boat Cruise for a total of 21 (13M 8F)OVC, whereas Marineland provided a boat for the cruise.
Tony Waite Organisation has also embarked on Sexual reproductive health rights In-school outreach Campaign Project with special emphasis on Anti Early Child Marriages, child abuse and menstrual health education. According to Kariba District Education data base 40% of school dropouts are caused by child marriages, therefore the campaigns aims to address the root cause of early child marriages in Kariba District, mitigation measures as well as stakeholder integration in dealing with the ulcer and a total of 4 stakeholders which are Tony Waite Organisation, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, District Social Services and National AIDS Council were roped-in to form an effective and efficient joint force with each stakeholder tackling their area of specialization. Diesel was also purchased towards this campaign. Refreshments (mazoe and biscuits) were provided for learners and lunches were for the facilitators reaching 8 urban and 5 rural schools. Among other issues identified during the outreach program is the fact that many girls in Kariba especially rural are in dire need of reusable sanitary wear pads for they are using things (cow dung, rags and tissues) which are hazardous to menstrual health. It has been identified during the outreach program as well that the proportion of girls to boys who report absent from school is around 1:3 with girls reporting few days at school especially during their menstrual periods as they do not have adequate menstrual hygiene. The organisation need desk top computer and need to procure one.
Due to the Covid 19 the programme could not proceed thereby funds still not exhausted and we are planning to utilize some to mitigate Covid 19 community education and procure reusable sanitary wear pads for distribution to girls in school also continue with milk formula and feeding programme. Hope this is fine with you