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WHO WE ARE
Shine Relief’s overriding belief is that “help begins by understanding African culture and not by imposing westernized culture.”
Our project started by meeting with and listening to the local people as they told us what they wanted to do, and what we could do - not for them, but with them.
Shine Relief has continued to listen to feedback from the community and we have ensured projects at Shine Village,
and across the region, are delivered by local people.
OUR VALUES
Honesty
Trust
Integrity
Respect
Co-operation
WHO
The programme is led by Suzen Zidana and her husband Hastings along with 5 Trustees, all of whom are Malawian Nationals. Together with a strong staff team of 19 including the Accountant, Assistant Project Director, Education Bursaries Manager, two Support Staff, three Security and Maintenance Staff and ten Early Tears Teaching Staff all of whom are Malawians living in the district, they serve the community and deliver vital support through CBO's, the local schools and Shine's Community Centre and Church.
Shine partners with Chief Chilambe, who is a keen volunteer at Shine Village providing insight and advice. He is always involved in planning and implementing new initiatives and currently sits on our Children's Home Committee along with representatives from the community, social welfare and Child Protection Agencies.
WHAT
The Shine Relief Trust is a New Zealand Registered Charitable Trust operating in conjunction with the Shine Relief Trust in the UK and the Shine Relief Trust in Malawi. The trusts work to provide the resources and support to build a vibrant community who minister to the most vulnerable, providing continuity of care to raise the standard of childcare, healthcare and education.
WHY
Kuntamanji TA was chosen after a situation analysis in June 2009 determined this area as being the most disadvantaged within the Zomba district. With the absence of any other NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) the study revealed a high need for a relief project to support orphans and vulnerable families. The Zomba district is one of the poorest Districts in Malawi. Poverty is widespread with 70% of its population falling below the national poverty line without access to adequate education, healthcare, housing and food.
When compared to the Southern Districts of Malawi, the system of regular income is considerably underdeveloped. People mainly rely on unpaid work for survival with 9 out of every 10 people having no regular monetary income.
Because subsistence farming is the major income generator, people face considerable income insecurity due to the inclement weather conditions (failure of the rains to arrive on time) and the inconsistent nature of the trade (market day fluctuations).
Malawi has around 1.4 million orphans, 500,000 of whom are estimated to have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS. The country has one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world despite the progress it has made in controlling its HIV epidemic in recent years. Young people are particularly at risk, due to early sexual activity and marriage, with 50% of new HIV infections affecting those aged 15 to 17.
This has had an adverse effect on the children of Malawi: they are left to care for their sick parents or when orphaned to take responsibility for their siblings and as a consequence quit school. Many households in Malawi take care of one or more orphans adding to the pressure to feed, clothe and educate their extended families that are mostly headed by women.
WHEN
The vision of Shine was birthed in Hull in the UK when Suzen and Hastings Zidana and their two young sons were residing there in order for Hastings to complete a Doctorate at the Hull University with a focus on developing Fish Breeds suitable for Farming, and while attending the Hull Vineyard Church they befriended an English Couple, Deborah and Phil Irvin and a New Zealand Woman, Hollie Marett.
HOW
Shine has a holistic approach to development, focusing on the spiritual and emotional needs of the children and families in their care as well as their educational and medical needs to ensure equality of opportunity for all. Established in 2014, with facilities to operate a range of childrens' programmes, youth and fellowship groups, as well as to host regular social and training events, the Shine Community Centre has become a focal point for the whole community.
Food supplies, clothing items, house maintenance, school uniforms and fees, clinic and hospital visits are made available to the most vulnerable families as they are brought to the attention of the Shine ministry and pastoral care teams.
Emergency Support is provided in times of severe drought or flooding e.g. Cyclone Ida.
WHERE
Shine Malawi works in the Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntumanji in Zomba District.
