Introducing one of Tariro’s rising stars, Melody M.

Currently in Form 3, Melody is one of Tariro’s rising stars

Melody is an articulate and engaging young woman from the Domboshava rural area of Zimbabwe.  Upon losing her parents, Melody was at high risk of dropping out of school, with no one able to cover her educational expenses.  Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Tariro supporters, Melody was able to continue her education, putting her on track to realizing her dreams of becoming a doctor.

When I met Melody last spring to interview her for her enrollment in Tariro, I liked her immediately.  She is confident and bright, with a winning smile.  She is now enrolled in Form 3 at St. Mary’s High School in Kuwandzana, and we are expecting wonderful results from Melody when she writes her Ordinary Level Exams next year.

This spring, on Global Women’s Day, Melody participated in a mentorship program through the US Embassy in Harare.  To learn more about the medical profession, she shadowed the head of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for a day, attending a high-profile meeting with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health.  She then attended a public speaking workshop through the British Council, and presented on her experience with her mentor at a Global Women’s Day celebration.  The celebration, held at Zimbabwe’s National Gallery, brought together students from Tariro and Zimbabwe’s Girl Child Network with a variety of other high school students, parents, and public figures.

Tariro needs your support in our work with almost sixty Zimbabwean girls like Melody.  Please join us today by contributing to our 2009 fundraising campaign, as we work toward raising $40,000 toward covering our program costs in 2010.

I will write next week with some ideas for creative ways to get involved in fundraising, through house parties, benefits, etc.  If anyone would like to contribute to that conversation, please write in with your comments!

You can also donate online through our website or our blog, or mail a check to:

Tariro: Hope and Health for Zimbabwe’s Orphans
PO Box 50273
Eugene, OR 97405
USA

Check back on our website regularly to see what progress we’ve made toward our fundraising goal.  So far, we’ve raised over $10,000 toward the $40,000 which will enable us to maintain our programs through 2010.  Your donations make a huge difference in the lives of Zimbabwean young women and girls!  Thank you for your support.