TOUCHING LIVES COMMUNITY TRUST is a unique Christian organisation, which has a special interest and concern for the welfare of children with special needs, disabled (physically handicapped), the most disadvantaged and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) especially the advancement of their education as well as taking care of other welfare issues. The children we are working with and taking care of and those we wish to work with are a special concern and the organisation’s effort exuberate a very noble cause. There are lots of such children in the Manicaland Province. Due to limited financial resources, Touching Lives Community Trust cannot reach out to all but only touches a small number of children with special needs both through its Early Childhood Centre (ECD) and the Cornerstone Junior School both located in Mutare, Manicaland (Zimbabwe). The two institutions have been operational for over 5 years hence making Touching Lives Trust a very visible institution. Due to the Trust’s visibility, many children reach the Trust requiring its services but cannot absorb them all due to the scarcity of resources caused by the economic challenges being experienced in Zimbabwe as a whole. The children enrolled by Touching lives are those who would have failed or cannot enrol in the local government schools due to their difficulty circumstances. There are lots of children in the 4-14 years age group who need to be serviced by the Trust. About 20% 0f our enrolment only is able to pay 10usd to 35usd per term which amounts to next to nothing compared with the cost of running the School, So as a result our Teachers have gone without salaries or a token of appreciation for a long time, which affects morale. The activities of the two institutions are monitored by two greatly committed ladies (Mrs Joyline Kamusasa and Mrs J. Mutamangira) who oversee all Trust’s activities with great passion.
These have donated the use of their premises, vehicles and other resources for the benefit of the Trust’s activities and this is complimented by an equally dedicated teaching staff, and other ancillary staff. In all Trust activities, it receives immense support from the Advisory Board chaired by Reverend Sam Ruzivo of Presbyterian Church and the School Psychological Services Department under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education headed my Mr Tichiwangana. Mrs Cathrine Moyo who is a Trustee, residing in Bulawayo has been supporting the School through donation of text books and some learning materials.
The current challenges at the School includes lack of computers, School buses, special equipment for Children with special needs, single desks, laptops for teachers, new and modern furniture for ECD department and funds to pave the drive-way and renovation of the buildings
Currently, the Cornerstone Junior School is catering for 90 children (49 girls and 41 boys). There are 28 children whom The Trust intents to take on board in January 2022, if transport is secured . Additional space for more classrooms and other facilities will be required In the future.
Touching Lives Community Trust will always be eternally grateful and humbled by any grant, donation received as this will tremendously change the lives of the needy children and the activities of the Trust. The communities served by Touching Lives Community Trust include rural, peri-urban and urban communities.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to transform lives of the most disadvantaged children through education and life skills training. We are also committed to educating children with special needs eg: Autistic and Dyslexic children.
OUR VISION
Our Vision is to become an outstanding leader in the provision of quality education and provision of life skills through, building of schools, Vocation training center's & universities for these marginalized children.
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose is to provide a culturally diverse environment for the disadvantaged children around Mutare and beyond to enable them to become active leaners and well rounded citizens who will contribute positively to their world.