However a lot of hard work was going on behind the scenes, and the team at Safe Haven committed themselves to completing the tasks at hand to ensure that we fall in line with all the expectations of a UK registered organisation. Thankfully we have begun to see progress and can now announce that we are well into the completion of the process to acquire that final recognition by the Charity Commission in the UK as a fully fledged and registered operation.

To those that we have lost contact with along the way we would say that we are very sorry for the delay that you have experienced, but as a small team of people a significant amount of work has been undertaken to get ourselves recognised, established, registered, opened bank accounts, submitted the necessary paperwork, and installed the correct and necessary procedures and processes to ensure that we are completely transparent in our operations and fundraising appeals. We have completed over 40 different policy documents that clearly set out our procedures, a feat that we are pleased to say not many such organisations have in place.

We have a fully recognised and registered management team, completed our submission documents to both the Fundraising Standards Board and the Institute of Fundraising and have accepted guidance on our appeal program to ensure legitimacy in such a fundamental area of our organisation. We have strictly adhered to our commitment to being completely ethical and trustworthy in our operation and appeal process, and it has taken time to work out the procedures behind this commitment.

And so as we have now reached a stage where we are able to legitimately begin the process of seeking funding, carrying out appeals, and working with organisations in Zimbabwe, we would like to say to everyone that has worked with us during this process that we are eternally grateful to you for your time and effort to get us to this place. Furthermore to our partners and support organisations we appreciate your patience and understanding through this trying experience, and we look forward to building a rewarding and beneficial relationship in time to come. Thank you.

In some ways we welcome these changes in the broader outlook of the donor community in today’s day and age. We agree that it is a far healthier environment for the smaller charity to make survival possible through merit and hard work. We like the idea that through smaller bodies work is able to happen more quickly, more directly and far more efficiently than through the massive governance structures that meant donor aid was restricted through so much red tape that by the time it reached the needy it was very often far too late.

We fully agree that strict guidelines are enforced to ensure accountability and a vibrant and efficient service within the charitable community, and we would actively accept that corporate governance does play its part, but we have come to appreciate the restructuring of the Donor Agencies in 2009 in ways we have never seen before. Suddenly it is people within the community that are coming up with solutions to the troubles that befall their people, and this buy in by the Donor world is what has led to our ability as a small charity to survive post credit crunch.

Without this ability to look at the smaller picture and understand that at times money is needed in small pockets to make changes on a smaller scale at the very time that the change is most critical to provide for the support and long term credibility of a project that has enabled organisations such as ours to achieve success in our chosen areas of calling.

A borehole to support a horticultural project for Orphaned children to earn an income for their home goes a long way when support can be provided at the hour of need. In days gone by, the viability of the project would have come and passed before the need was met by a larger corporate structure. A roof on a kitchen when the original thatch became too old meant that a school were able to carry on feeding their borders instead of having to send them all home while they waited for funding to arrive.

These are the joys of being able to work at the front line of projects in Africa, and the support we can now rely on from the donor community of the 21st Century. Charity is changing, and it is high time that the Donor community at large caught up with the new trends of Organisations run by people within the communities in need with the skills and desire to see change come to those that need it now.

It is exciting to be a part of the team right now, as contact is made and established with a number of Zimbabwean projects, and we look towards establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with these agencies on the ground in Zimbabwe. Further to this, a massive undertaking of contacting a variety of individuals on a one to one basis to spread the word about the work that Safe Haven Trust is undertaking and to gain support within the community here in the UK and further afield. And so we charge along this well worn road of charity support, and try to make our mark and establish our footing as a credible and viable UK based Zimbabwean Charity.

As part of our qualification to register as a UK Charity, it is a prerequisite that the organisation raises in excess of £5000, at which point it becomes a legal requirement to register as a Charity. In order to do this we have organised for fundraising to take place on our behalf through all manner of events throughout the world. We have spoken with family and friends to bring the work of the Safe Haven Trust to the attention of people in Canada, the US, here in the UK , Holland and in Australia. Each of these groups have started fundraising on our behalf, driving us towards our target of £5000 before christmas 2009. That might be a touch ambitious, but for the team here at Safe Haven Trust, our registration is an important step towards establishing ourselves as a recognised agency.

It would be rude not to thank those that have been working tirelessly behind the scene’s to make this project a reality. Rob is a hard task master, but an inspiration to work with as he leads by example and can be found daily focusing and driving the team on. Jamie is the heart of the organisation, keeping the team happy, smiling, yet focused on the job at hand and wanting to meet our targets. Bobbie is great fun to work with, and a fantastic support in times of great pressure. Ashley is always plotting away at his PC making sure someone somewhere knows about the Safe Haven Trust. Amanda and Shipo are a true Zimbabwean connection and might as well be twins they think so much alike, and then there is me. Yes I am a grateful part of this team that has worked tirelessly to bring us all the satisfaction of seeing our launch, even if it was a quiet affair. So watch this space people. Our hearts desire is to make a difference for the Orphans in Zimbabwe, and here we are, setting out on that adventure. We hope you enjoy following us, funding us, working with us, and seeing the joy and happiness that we are able to bring to the face of hundreds of Zimbabwean Children.