Shalom Centre
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." Malcolm X
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Our hope at Shalom Centre is to ensure everyone is given a chance to prepare for a brighter future.
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Shalom Centre was established in 1996 by Margaret Doak (first left), an Oxford graduate who found a niche in her community for those in need of counselling and healing. As a non-profit organisation, the Centre's main objective was to provide free counselling to members of the community who were unable to pay. With the Honourable, the Right Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (first right) as Patron, Shalom Centre worked tirelessly for 10 years, reaching out to the community. On her retirement in 2006, Margaret Doak handed the reigns to Ms Edith Mukotekwa (second left). As Director of Shalom Centre, Ms Mukotekwa has continued working for Shalom and has helped Shalom evolve into a Centre dealing with troubled teenagers, offering counselling, support, tutoring lessons to refugees.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"
Nelson Rolihlahla 'Madiba' Mandela
What We Do
Shalom Centre has partnered with numerous villages/communities in the rural areas of Zimbabwe mostly in the Manicaland Province. Our work involves ensuring every child in these villages attends school. We work alongside the Chief, the village Elders and the community as a whole. We fight against "child" marriages by paying fees and ensuring the young girls stay in school.
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In the UK, we work with other Charity Organisations and Authorities to help refugees settle, have access to hospitals, schools and relevant authorities and also offer lessons in English, Maths and Citizenship. All our tutors are highly qualified and volunteer to give tutoring lessons free/minimal charges.
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All our funds are raised by different fundraising activities and also small grants and donations.
Providing Fees for Orphans and the poorest members of the community
Our main aim is ensuring education for all children of school going age. We have also provided full school uniforms, shoes, school satchels and stationery for all 105 children. We have ensured the delivery of small hampers containing a bag of maize, a bag of beans, salt, sugar and cooking oil to the 105 students and their families.
Looking after the Girl Child
Providing sanitary pads and underwear for the girl child. In a community where talking about menstrual periods is almost taboo, young girls are left to their own devices during this time of the month. The Chief and the Local Elders have promised to listen with a sympathetic ear and ensure "the girl child's" needs are met by fairness in the distribution of sanitary pads and over the counter painkillers. We continue to purchase sanitary pads for young girls on a monthly basis.
Refugee Outreach
We work with other Charity Organisations and relevant authorities in helping young unaccompanied refugees.
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We support them in getting free counselling, accessing educational and medical advice and help with their mental well being and wellness.
Shalom Centre at a Glance
Shalom is a Centre of Hope. Our aim is to reach out to those in need, at home and abroad.
