BY BEAVEN DHLIWAYO
PATHWAY Autism Trust, in partnership with Ladies Circle Harare 5, recently hosted a quiz night to raise funds for people living with autism in Zimbabwe.
Pathways Autism Trust, a parent-led organization, has been tirelessly working to improve the lives of children on the autism spectrum for over a decade.
Founded by parents, for parents, the Trust provides an autism-specific educational and therapeutic programme aimed at fostering independence and integration into mainstream society.
“Our mission is lifelong,” said the Co-Founder and Principal Director of Pathways Autism Trust, Gordon Chinhaire who is also a parent of a child with autism.
“We started this journey in 2013 with just two children on the severe end of the spectrum. Our dream is to offer a vocational training center for older kids, a boarding facility for those from outside Harare, and ultimately, a home for children who have lost their parents and have no one to care for them.”
Operating from a modest three-bedroom cottage in Marlborough, the Trust has seen both triumphs and challenges.
The programme has evolved, yet the need for resources has prevented the development of a vocational training facility, which is vital for the older children.
“Our children have come of age, and our current programme no longer fully meets their needs,” explained the Chinhaire.
“We appreciate any assistance in planning, building materials, vocational projects, expertise, and much more.”
Experts from Germany, Professor Martin Schmidt and Roswitha Nass, have been instrumental in ensuring the Trust’s staff receive up-to-date training and assessments. “We are grateful for their annual visits and the 50 percent scholarships they provide to some of our children under six,” said the Director.
The community has also shown unwavering support. The recent launch of Ladies Circle Five chose Pathways Autism Trust as their inaugural project, hosting a fundraising event on 12 October 2024.
“We are so grateful for the event they recently hosted, which raised much-needed funds for our Centre,” he expressed.
“Our Centre currently requires renovations and a boarding facility.”
Reflecting on the journey, Chinhaire shared, “When we started operating, we intended to cater to our children’s needs and those in the community. Now, with over 10 years of experience, we are hopeful to move on to the next stage quickly, which is long overdue. We truly appreciate the support from corporates, the government, and the public.”
The Pathways Autism Trust stands as a beacon of hope and dedication, continually striving to create a brighter future for children and young adults with autism.