Our Beginnings

When friends and hairdressing clients of Connie Polain learned of her plans to visit her native Zimbabwe in December 2004, she was inundated with donated clothing which she took with her and distributed to AIDS orphans in Makweme village. While the clothes were very welcome, Connie learned some important lessons. Firstly the cost of freighting the clothing was expensive. Secondly it was difficult to match orphans with the right sized clothes which meant it was impossible to assist the orphans equally.

Education is highly valued in Zimbabwe and Connie knew that education was vital to the orphans' futures. She also knew that public education in Zimbabwe is not free. Connie quickly determined to assist AIDS orphans by assisting them to obtain a good education. She also knew that the provision of school fees, uniforms and books would show the orphans that people cared about them and wished them a happy and successful life. 

Returning home she was easily able to recruit freinds and clients to share her vision and Mothers for Orphans (Madzimai Enherera) Inc. was born.

Initially, Mothers for Orphans intended to provide assistance on a village by village by village basis. However, when Connie returned to Zimbabwe in January 2006 to distribute the fruits of a year's fundraising, the enthusiastic support of the Principal and staff of the Zinatsa Primary School made her realise that it would be far easier acheive development on a school by school basis.

With the cooperation of the school, Connie and fellow member of Mothers for Orphans, Louise, were able to assist 46 orphans at Zinatsa Primary School including 10 personally assisted by Connie. They also assisted 6 orphans at Zinatsa Secondary School.