family
FEBRUARY 2014
All you need to know about families
Celebrations Centre Founder & Senior Pastor Tom Deuschle and family
Family Banking Property Counseling Competitions
Stories/Profiles Food & Drink Births & deaths notices Entertainment
Weddings Faith & family Shopping Health/Travel
F2 the standard
FEBRUARY 23 TO MARCH 1, 2014
family
Let’s encourage children to swim You probably know that your kids need to learn to swim. Drowning has become one of the pandemic causes of accidental death for children and adults especially in this rainy season. It is found that children enrolled in formal swimming lessons had an 88% reduced risk of drowning. Most adult Zimbabweans cannot swim, generally because it is a sport considered to be leisure and most do not get the facilities to learn at a tender age. We encourage kids to have some swim lessons when they were little and are generally become confident in the water, continue with swimming into the ‘tween and teen years. There are plenty of reasons to get AND keep your child involved in swimming. Here are some of the reasons why: Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning. Swimming is essential life skill and you want to be confident that your child has mastered it. Swimming builds whole body strength. A swimming workout is a great total body workout, strengthening everything from the core to the legs to the arms. In swimming, a whole lot of mus-
cles are working together as your kids are pushing, pulling and kicking their way through the water. Swimming is a full-body workout. It's simultaneously works muscles from triceps and biceps to abdominals to hamstrings and everything in between. Wow! Swimming is also fantastic cardiovascular alternative to running, and is much easier on your children’s joints because there isn’t that constant foot-tocement impact. Basically, muscles have to work harder to perform aerobic activity with the water resistance. As a result, they get stronger, lengthen and gain flexibility. Swimming helps kids do better in school. You heard right: your kids’ time in the pool translates to higher marks at school. Swimming has been scientifically linked to a better academic performance. Studies have found that children who swam during their developmental years achieved several physical and mental milestones faster than their non-swimming counterparts. Researchers found that the type of instruction and sensory learning kids are exposed to early on in swimming lessons trans-
lates almost seamlessly into the type of learning they’ll do in the classroom. Kids who swim get the benefits of participating in an individual AND team sport. This is one aspect of swimming that really makes it unique. Swimmers compete individually AND as part of team. This encourages kids to develop the skills needed to excel in a team environment. Swimming is something they can do at any age! Swimming is for everyone, both young and old. This activity is something that lasts a lifetime -- and you can always improve at it! Expose your child to swimming now and they will have a recreational, aerobic activity that they can continue to enjoy throughout the rest of their lives! Some even pursue it as a career path. What a gift! “After all that has been said and done, we as Pool Pump embrace the art of swimming. We are trying to promote it from the early ages. We have designed a portfolio for schools and other public institutions that have swimming pools that makes resusci-
tating or construction of pools a less strenuous project financially. Our aim to make sure that many pools are up and running and our children no matter from what background have a chance to learn to swim. Most communities around us have pools that have since become dilapidated and dysfunctional. With the portfolio we created, it caters for projects to be done once and for all and the pools function while payment is still in progress. This portfolio was specifically designed to eliminate the notion that a swimming pool is a luxury commodity as in the times we are living in, it has become a necessity. Let’s come together as parents and encourage our children to participate in swimming “….. from the desk of the Marketing Manager, Mr. Shadreck Gumiremhete. To find out more about how this portfolio may benefit you please do not hesitate to contact on this email address: sales@ ppfc.co.zw. Our contact numbers are 0773267290/ 04-853266. Do get in touch with us we are happy to help you, that will be a decision that you will not regret!
February 23 to march 1, 2014
the standard
F3
family
The Deuschle Family (Celebration Ministries International)
As seen on DStv
February 21, 1979, Pastor Tom Deuschle embarked on a mission to Rhodesia, Africa (now Zimbabwe). Staying the course of faith through to the end of the civil war in 1980, he took his first furlough to the States in 1981 where he met, courted, and married his wife, Bonnie. They returned to Zimbabwe where they began a church with six people in their living room. Continuing to minister together, they built a strong word-based church in Harare, Zimbabwe meeting the needs of the people—spirit, soul, and body. The church grew. In 2003, coinciding with their move into their new building, the ministry changed its name to Celebration Ministries international (CMI) for the benefit of celebration churches across the world with the vision of “Building People, Building Dreams and Building the Kingdom,” as it branched out into several spheres of influence including: Celebration Health, Celebration School, Celebration College, Compassion Ministries, Champions For Life, CMedia and Celebration Music.
Once motor-biking through rural areas and ministering in homes, farms and on street corners, Pastor Tom now fathers a congregation of over 20,000 members worldwide, and over the years has raised up nation changers to impact the countries' most crucial sectors including: healthcare, education, government, business, finance, and technology. A minister to leaders in the marketplace, Pastor Tom is also gifted mentor. Through “Kingdom Marketplace” ministry, Pastor Tom addresses heads of industry on a yearly basis and sits-down with several African presidents. He has helped guide several top businessmen in Zimbabwe, including Econet's Strive Masiyiwa and Nigel Chanakira. Bonnie has influenced the music industry for over 30 years, and has been featured as one of the Top-10 Most Influential Women in Zimbabwe as well as a Pioneer of Gospel Music. She has produced over 15 albums receiving both national and international recognition, along with a number of lifetime achievement awards for her contribu-
Pst Bonnie and boys : From left: Tommy, Jonathan,Pst Bonnie, Benjamin, Daniel tion to the development of Zimbabwean music. Her latest album, YAHWEH is evidently anointed.It has topped local charts and continues to minister to listeners all over the world, taking Bonnie and the Celebration Choir on tour all over South Africa, and reaching as far as Malaysia, Dubai, Uk, Kenya & the USA. Pastors Tom and Bonnie
have raised their five children (Tommy, Jon, Ben, Dan and Sarah) based on biblical teaching and principles in an ever-changing Zimbabwe . They all serve in the ministry and have learnt to persevere through severe trials and tribulations. Currently their eldest son Tommy is the Creative Director for CMI who, together with his wife Ra-
chel, are raising their two children (Levi and Madison). The other three boys are studying music, sound, business and entertainment in the United States, while Sarah—a student and the youngest of the bunch—compliments her mom on stage and is also musically gifted. Out of the vision “Building People, Build-
ing Dreams, Building the Kingdom,” Pastor Tom and Bonnie have extended their vision all over the world; touching the nations with their word of transformation and reformation to over 85 churches in: Zimbabwe, England, United States of America, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, Kenya and more.
F4 the standard
FeBrUarY 23 tO MarCh 1, 2014
family
The importance of communication in a family life during one’s lifetime many unforeseen, undesired occurrences take place and leave deep marks. In those momentsof struggle, when one desperately seeks aid, it’s relatively easy to discover who is truly by your side and who cowardly leaves the sinking ship. Colleagues, acquaintances, friends may or may not be near or they may have other personal problems they need to attend or happen to be in a state of mind that will rather confuse you than brighten your day. In these difficult moments it
is extremely important to have a family you can count on, to receive the unconditional help of your parents, of those who genuinely care about you, your feelings and your future. no matter the phase of your life, whether you’ve reached a tender or mature age, it’s essential to benefit from the aid of a loving, supporting family willing to guide you and help you overcome every hurdle. When falling on hard times, many find it intricate to move on without the kind touch or the healing
words of their parents or their closest relatives, people capable of sacrifice for the well-being of the loved ones. seeking help in the right direction, turning to honest, openhearted people who know and appreciate you may be the only solution to overcome difficulties that once seemed insurmountable. In a family life, communication is of great importance. at a certain age, it may seem irrelevant and useless to not hide away your emotions, to openly confess your feelings,
hopes and plans, to share your aspirations with every member of the family and just communicate everything that worries you. It’s essential to discuss every little aspect that initially appears dull or perhaps too intimate to be mentioned and to have a panelist that understands you and offers unconditional support. From simple, mundane problems, such as what to eat, what to buy, what improvements to make around the house to other more personal issues, like difficulties on the job, at school or maybe sentimental problems. talking to the right person, to somebody who is fully aware of your qualities and shortcomings and therefore is capable of giving wise advice is the safest way to alleviate your struggle. humans have to communicate, in order to let others know how they feel, what they need, which are their expectations, which haven’t been fulfilled and why. this is a life lesson that should be taught to children from an early stage, so they can cultivate it gradually and learn to appreciate the undeniable value of sharing their state of mind. Without a proper communication in a family life, chaos would reign. an honest communication, whether it’s about trivia or serious matters, whether it lasts 10 minutes or an hour and a half, maintains a family united and a harmonic atmosphere. talking, expressing real feelings, describing what you go through is healing not only for children or teenagers, but also for grownups in need of gentle, comforting words. as a conclusion, communication is vital to humans and their quest to live peacefully while living in seclusion is harmful and can have major repercussions on our social behavior. In order to help each other, humans have to know their anguishes, their wishes and hopes. Communicating is the first step that has to be taken in order to overcome our mundane problems. It's not always easy for families to stay connected today. Parents and children get pulled in different directions—work, school, athletic and social events. as schedules become more and more crowded, finding family time gets more and more difficult. One way to help families stay connected is for parents and kids to volunteer together for community and church projects. Kids gain a wider perspective on the diverse ways in which people live. they learn to respect people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, and income levels. Bonding occurs when families work together as a team and focus on a task.
February 23 to march 1, 2014
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F5
family
Miscarriage risk 'reduced by lifestyle changes' More than a quarter of first-time miscarriages could be prevented by making a combination of lifestyle changes, research in Denmark suggests. Researchers said lifting more than 20kg (44lbs) each day during pregnancy and being obese or underweight increased the risk of miscarriage. Women beyond their early 30s, who drank alcohol and worked night shifts during pregnancy were also more likely to miscarry, they said. The study analysed 91,427 women. Twenty kilograms is the size of a large holiday suitcase. Most of us would only
lift that very occasionally” Caroline Overton Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists In the UK, more than one in seven pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen, which carried out the work, said only by reducing all of the risk factors could they be prevented. The paper was published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen, senior researcher at the University of Copenhagen, said: "The main message from the paper is that miscarriages are a
Mindfulness and the art of being happy By Barbara Vitoria We all want to be happy, but often we ourselves are the obstacle to living happy lives and bringing happiness to others. My cat reminds me how we wind ourselves up and then blame the result on others. She sits peacefully, and then out of the corner of her eye spots her own tail flicking provocatively. She turns her head, fascinated, at this self-created threat, and then pounces to catch it! And this is what we do! We unknowingly create dramas that play out before us with little insight into what is really happening, and in so doing often create suffering for ourselves and others. Recently I was with my elderly mother shopping for a jacket. Unconsciously, I was locked into ‘being the good daughter’ and we were going to achieve the goal of ‘buying a jacket’. I did my best pulling out jackets from the rack and showing them to her. Nothing was right, however. “I’ll know it when I see it” she told me. I was exasperated and things were getting tense. When I realised that I was locked into these fixed ideas, I let go and could see she was tired. So we agreed to get a bite to eat and go home for tea. The tension eased immediately, and we relaxed and connected again. But how often do we become so locked into a fixed idea about ‘the way things should be’ that we lose awareness of what is right in front of us? Mindfulness is the practice of being present with what is happening whilst it is happening, without judgement. It is an important skill to develop because we often do not understand how we create stress through our unkind inner chatter. We hardly notice what is going on in ourselves, in others and the situations around us. We are out of touch and our words and actions can be inappropriate and even harmful to ourselves and those we love and work with. We are carried along by the same habits and behaviours that keep us locked into negative cycles, causing suffering, ill health and giving little peace. A group of fifty people at a talk on Mindfulness in Harare described their thought chatter in the following way: blaming themselves and others, anxiety, criticism, anger, depression, vengeance, jealousy, worry, etc. “I said, she said; why didn’t I do/ say; why did I do/say; how dare he; they / I should have/ shouldn’t have ...” If you were sitting next to someone like this, what would you do? Most of us would get up and leave. But you cannot leave yourself. You are stuck with your mind; that is the reality. Getting to know your mind and to befriend it is one of the best things you can do for your own happiness and for the happiness of those around you. Mindfulness is a secular practice based on more than 2000 years of experience of Buddhist meditation techniques. It can help people of all faiths develop a deeper awareness and appreciation of the sacred and divine within us and around us. This skill is taught by the Mindfulness Institute of Zimbabwe and the Harare Tibetan Buddhist Centre. Lama Tsondru, a visiting teacher from Spain, will be in Zimbabwe in March and is giving a retreat on ‘The Four Foundations of Mindfulness’ (6- 9 March in Nyanga), and a public talk on ‘Living a Meaningful Life’ (5.15pm, 10 March, 7a Ernie’s Lane, Monavale). For more details see: http://kagyu.org.za/harare/ Facebook: Kagyu Samye Dzong Harare Phone : 304202 (am only), Email : rokpa@zol.co.zw "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha
subject for prevention." Ms Nybo Andersen said the paper was significant as it showed the relative importance of different lifestyle factors in causing miscarriage, rather than more specific factors, such as certain pharmaceutical drugs. As the findings were from the health perspective of a population, they could apply to lots of people - from individual couples to people in charge of maternity policies, work place regulations and supporting students who get pregnant, she said. She added: "Everybody, young men and women, as well as those who have
political responsibilities should bear in mind that postponing pregnancy to the mid-30s implies a seriously increased risk of miscarriage." Pregnancies included in the Danish National Birth Cohort between 1996 and 2002 were analysed for the study. Researchers found 3.5% of the women miscarried. They looked for links between the miscarriages and lifestyle by collecting data through computer-assisted telephone interviews. Caroline Overton, spokesperson at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "This is a very interesting
study in terms of the very large population size." She said it confirmed much of the advice currently given out in the UK to promote healthy pregnancy, such as not drinking, but questioned how applicable the study would be to British women. On the subject of the findings, Ms Overton added: "Twenty kilograms is the
size of a large holiday suitcase. Most of us would only lift that very occasionally." Women wanting to conceive should also eat a balanced diet, make sure they are not "too skinny", or overweight, cut out smoking and ask their partners to follow suit, she said. -BBC News
F6 the standard
FeBrUarY 23 tO MarCh 1, 2014
family
How parents and families can help their children do better in school Steps You Can Take To Improve Your Children's Education Read together
Children who read at home with their parents perform better in school. show your kids how much you value reading by keeping good books, magazine, and newspapers in the house. Let them see you read. take them on trips to the library and encourage them to get library cards. Let children read to you, and talk about the books. What was the book about? Why did a character act that way? What will he or she do next? Look for other ways to teach children the magic of language, words, and stories. tell stories to your children about their families and their culture. Point out words to children wherever you go to the grocery, to the pharmacy, to the gas station. encourage your children to write notes to grandparents and other relatives.
Use TV wisely
academic achievement drops sharply for children
who watch more than 10 hours of television a week, or an average of more than two hours a day. Parents can limit the amount of viewing and help children select educational programs. Parents can also watch and discuss shows with their kids. this will help children understand how stories are structured.
Establish a daily family routine with scheduled homework time
studies show that successful students have parents who create and maintain family routines. Make sure your child goes to school every day. establish a regular time for homework each afternoon or evening, set aside a quiet, well lit place, and encourage children to study. routines generally include time performing chores, eating meals together, and going to bed at an established time. "the Family is the rock on which a solid education can be built. I have seen examples all over this nation where two-parent families, single parents, stepparents,
grandparents, aunts, and uncles are providing strong families support for their children to learn. If families teach the love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to their children."
Talk to your children and teenagers and listen to them, too
talk directly to your children, especially your teenagers, about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the values you want them to have. set a good example. and listen to what your children have to say. such personal talks, however uncomfortable they may make you feel, can save their lives.
Express high expectations for children by enrolling them in challenging courses
You can communicate to your children the importance of setting and meeting challenges in school. tell your children that working hard and stretching their minds in the only way for them to realize their full potential. expect and encourage your chil-
dren to take tough academic courses like chemistry, computer technology, a second language, art, and advanced occupational courses. Make sure they never settle for doing less than their best.
Find out whether your school has high standards
Your school should have clear, challenging standards for what students should know. For example, what reading, writing and math skills is your child expected to have by grade four? and grade 6? What about history, science, the arts, geography, and other languages? are responsibility and hard work recognized? If your school doesn't have high standards, join with teachers, principals, and other parents to set these standards.
Keep in touch with the school Parents cannot afford to wait for schools to tell them how children are doing. Families who stay informed about their children's progress at school have higher-achieving children. to keep in-
organizations provide opportunities for children and other family members to engage in positive social and learning experiences. Family- oriented community and religious resources may include employment and counseling. Families can reinforce their children's learning by going to libraries and museums, together. When parents and families get personally involved in education, their children do better in school and grow up to be more successful in life.
formed, parents can visit the school or talk with teachers on the telephone. Get to know the names of your children's teachers and principals. Parents can also work with schools to develop new ways to get more involved. Families can establish a homework hotline, volunteer on school planning and decisionmaking committees, help create family resource centers, serve as mentors. Use community resource activities sponsored by community and religious
03 February 2014
Enrolment Now in Progress Ordinary & Advanced Level June / November 2014 exam sessions Intensive individual student examination coaching Real examination writing sessions Daily specialist remediation exercises Intensive revision sessions after every exam writting session Vigorous student evaluation exercise Extensive curriculum coverage and individual student assignments Precise, acurate and effective student evaluation reports
FeBrUarY 23 tO MarCh 1, 2014
the standard
F7
F8 the standard
FeBrUarY 23 tO MarCh 1, 2014
family
Introducing-The Champions Road Mortality Plan the value of motor vehicle insurance can never be overemphasized in Zimbabwe due to the high levels of education. Many now know the importance of having motor vehicle insurance and its benefits in times of disaster. Over the years insurance companies have done well to augment the basic full comprehensive cover with additional benefits such as towing, road side assistance amongst many other product enhancing extensions. More often than not, many of these benefits are aimed at providing assistance for vehicle incapacitation than the occupants’ mortality. although this is a zone of uncomfortable debate to many, death resulting from road traffic accident is a reality. Week in week out, we read and hear of lives perishing from road traffic accidents and given the economic challenges bedevilling the nation, not many are prepared to take care of such catastrophes during the time of need. the most painful and worst situations are those where
the ultimate breadwinners among families also perish in the same accidents. In some occasions, the government is called upon to declare a national disaster and assist with the burial of the deceased while others benefit from well-wishers. Come to think of what happens to all those cases that do not qualify for this assistance. to say the truth, for some it’s a double tragedy as they cannot afford to offer their beloved ones a decent burial. the Champions Insurance road Mortality Plan was designed to specifically cover this gap to ensure that all occupants of an insured vehicle are afforded a decent burial in the event of death resulting from a road traffic accident. the product is being offered in conjunction with doves Funeral assurance and provides the following benefits following death from road traffic accident. • Funeral services including cremation or burial within Zimbabwe • Cash in lieu/ Cash option payment for the above
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WHO CAN GET COVER?
d a Ro lity a t r o M lan P
Is an Annual Funeral Assurance plan aimed at providing the following benfits in the event of death resulting from a road traffic accident to occupants of a Champions insured vehicle : Funeral services including creamation for deaths and burials occuring within Zimbabwe Cash in lieu optional for the above
JUST For - $1.50 / month UNDERWRITTEN BY:
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“Over a century of caring”
Website: www.championsinsurance.co.zw
the product is available to all Champions Insurance Motor Policy holders regardless of the type of cover one has got. thus, all clients on Full third Party Cover, rta cover and Full Comprehensive cover are all eligible for this benefit at an additional cost of just Us$1.50 per month. Champions Insurance Company is Zimbabwe’s premier short ter m insurance fir m that has built a solid reputation in giving clients a run for their money and a rewarding insurance experience. Champions Insurance Company reinforced its g rip and its dominance on the insurance turf last year, as with every other year with its ingenious and insightful products which had continued actual relevance to Zimbabwe. to mention just a few of the flagship products, Champions Insurance of fers af fordable Le gal aid Insurance, Inter national travel insurance and Motor insurance with road side assistance, courtesy car and road mortality plan. Champions Insurance Managing director, Mr nathan Chikono beamed with joy and exuberance when speaking of the successes of 2013 and the steering of the insurance flagship going forward. he said “We salute our valued clients for the support they have given us. We have g rown only because of your unwavering support. to this end, we are encouraged as the years go by to please you the clients. We can only improve and bring value-added products to you because you give us valuable feedback. Our quest is to improve and not lull ourselves into a false sense of satisfaction just because of overwhelming support and success, no, we cannot. We enjoyed the promotions of last year, in addition to cutting the decade celebratory cake and other achievements. We will not g row weary, but will continue to bring innovation. thank you so much for the support, we really appreciate it” One of the key factors that have made Champions play in its own league is the fact that since inception, it has managed to provide consistent, quality underwriting and a seamless service delivery courtesy of an experienced staf f complement. Insofar as claims settlements are concer ned they boast of arguably the best tur naround period in the industry. since it is wholly indigenous, this facilitates on-the-spot decisions and eliminates cumbersome red-tape and bureaucracy. If you did not win anything last year because you were not fortunate enough or because you were not insured with Champions, this year, 2014 may just prove to be the year for you. Champions Insurance Company has launched an exciting and simple promotion called the “Insure, scratch and win” promotion. this competition will blow your socks of f with the sheer amount of life-improving prizes in the of fing. the competition is running from 1 February to 30 november 2014 and some fortunate people will end the year on a high.