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Olonga raises funds for Matthew Rusike Children’s Home

Sport
EXILED former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga will late this month hold a fundraising event for Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in Epworth outside Harare.

EXILED former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga will late this month hold a fundraising event for Matthew Rusike Children’s Home in Epworth outside Harare.

HENRY MHARA

The former fast bowler, who fled the country in 2003 after a “black armband protest” against President Robert Mugabe’s rule, is expected to give a speech in Kent, England, on April 26. The proceeds, according to the organisers of the event, will go towards purchasing a generator for the children’s home.

“Even though I haven’t been home in over 10 years, I know the situation is dire for a lot of young people in Zimbabwe,” said Olonga.

“Many children live in poverty and have no healthcare or schooling. HIV is also a big problem and as a result, there are lots of orphans that need help from charities raising money overseas. If I can help just 10 people, then it will be worth it.”

Organiser Graham Jones (61) and his wife Lynda decided to set up the fund after a trip to the country last year, having grown up in Zimbabwe where his father worked as a missionary in the 1950s and ’60s.

“The home can sometimes be without power for days and the lack of electricity is a very serious problem in the whole of Zimbabwe,” Jones said.

“Meals at the home have to be prepared over an open fire, water cannot be pumped to grow vegetables and HIV medication has to be refrigerated so you get an idea of how important a generator will be for the children there. It’s brilliant that Henry has agreed to help us raise the money because, having spent time at the home myself, I know that it will make a huge difference.”

The generator will also power a set of new computers that have been donated to the home to help with the education of the children.

Olonga came to prominence as the first black player to represent Zimbabwe in international cricket when he made his debut in 1995, aged just 18.

But it was his 2003 protest against the “death of democracy” under Mugabe’s government which saw him become internationally recognised.

Risking his life, he took to the pitch wearing a black armband to highlight his stand against Mugabe.

Olonga was forced to flee Zimbabwe in fear for his life. He has never returned.