The Mopane Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner Ball in aid of orphans' education

Mopane Foundation International (MFI), a recently registered charity Registered Charity Number 1167272 (in England and Wales) is holding its first anniversary red carpet-glam fundraising charity ball is taking place on 15 October at the Centerplate, Hillsborough Stadium Sheffield, from 17H30 hours until midnight. Tickets are selling £40 which includes a 3-course banquet style meal, a DJ, live performances, an auction, raffle tickets, an opportunity to network and many more.

Mopane Foundation International gives financial support to underprivileged school going-age orphans in rural Matebeleland, Zimbabwe and currently is sponsoring in Matebeleland North and South ranging from Grade 1 to Form 1. As an organisation we provide school fees paid direct to schools, buy full school uniforms and basic stationery. MFI wants school-going age children and young adults to be supported and nurtured through mentoring through recognised levels of education such as primary, secondary, higher tertiary and possible vocational education and into their initial careers.

A recent monitoring and evaluation exercise undertaken by MFI has shown an increased demand for scholarship from across the entire nation state of Zimbabwe due to the fact that per capita income in rural areas is notoriously low and the communities themselves have less access to information about available scholarship opportunities hence the organisation targeting remote areas.

Blighted by years of underdevelopment and prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe has an unusually high population of orphaned children many of whom are dropping out of school due to lack of funding. The number of child-headed families in Matabeleland and other parts of Zimbabwe has not been formally interrogated but is known to run into thousands. A direct result of this in many instances is early pregnancy for girls who find nothing else worthwhile to do. Equally, the boys begin an odyssey of searching for sources of livelihood moving from various cities and towns and across the southern border into South Africa to find job opportunities. To say the situation is dire is an understatement. It is estimated that 4 out of every 5 young adults of school going age in Matabeleland, are not able to advance their education; neither are they able to find paid work in Zimbabwe. This is a massive problem far beyond the scope of MFI scope of work and certainly requiring state intervention. MFI is
however determined to play its part and while 30 is just a drop in the ocean, it can make a make a difference in a small way wherever it can.

This current year we had Calvary Apostolic Assembly (CAA) sponsoring a child and a Sheffield business man Tendayi Mandishona (on-going) sponsored one while other pledges did not come to fruition as of yet.

Each child fees, uniforms and basic stationary is costing around £150/annum. We are therefore appealing for more sponsors, one off donations through http://www.mopanefoundation.org/donate/ and supporting the event by buying tickets and attend. We have so far got a pledge to sponsor a child from an individual and Nomsa Neke the project leader having a sponsoring pledge of 5 which leaves 23 needing on-going sponsors.

We are also appealing for organisations to support by sponsoring our events which in return we can include their logos/names in our promotional materials, make an exhibition stalls made available for them on the day should they wish to exhibit (Contact Nomsa to discuss). This year so far we have had Joyline Kim Munaiwa of Joyline Clothing donating 2 boxes of t-shirts; Eppie Phiri of The Full Package has donated the most extravagant handmade fascinator, one of its kind for auctioning towards the cause on the day. It doesn't have to be just monetary, get in touch and discuss options.

Mopane Foundation International has and will always have children and youth being central to its activities therefore hosting the event will be two young God-fearing brothers; Sylvester Dube & Farai Dudley. Our main speaker nearly 13-year old Samantha Ndebele – being British and never knew what it was to go without, she met the orphans last year and she is one of the most passionate about the cause. She just wants to be involved in every sense of the word. Dr Mvikeli Ncube, orphaned at a very tender age himself, he is evident of where grace can take you and will be our motivational speaker on the day. Last year on our launch a man of the cloth Pastor Derrick Maphosa came to our rescue as the MC and again this year Ps Mabuza of the 12 Apostolic church in Leeds is coming to our rescue; what more can we ask for if we have Him in the midst.

DJ Busani Socks remains on the decks, SOSA-XA! and Nkosi Ka Ndlovu will perform live, Manyara Kabungaidze will capture the moments including instant photos for a fee therefore do glam. Our team are working tireless behind the scenes in collaboration with peer community stalwarts to make this event a success.

All donation cheques are to be made payable to Mopane Foundation International and sent to 18 Holgate Avenue, Sheffield, S5 9LL. Alternatively, donations can be deposited in the Foundation Barclays account through http://www.mopanefoundation.org/donate/

Alternatively contact Nomsa for tickets or buy as well donate on #tickets">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mopane-foundation-international-annual-fundraising-ball-tickets-21428049874?aff=efbevent#tickets