A Saint Goes Marching On: A Eulogy To Mr. Moosa Kasimonje

November 20, 2007

Mr. Moosa Kasimonje, the founder and long-serving Executive Director of The Just Children Foundation, passed away on Sunday November 18th, in Harare Zimbabwe, while surrounded by his family, friends and colleagues.

It was with great shock and sadness that most of us received the word of the passing on of the founder of The Just Children Foundation, the orphanage that we worked so closed with in Zimbabwe in our efforts to provide infant formula to young orphans that had been entrusted into Mr. Kasimonje’s care. We at HAZ had the utmost honor of working with and learning from our Brother, Mr. Moosa Kasimonje over the past year, and came to know him as a man who was passionately driven by his compassion and calling to look after children that others had cast away, or who had no parents or relatives to care for them. We are inspired by his work, and celebrate the life that he has lived, and the peace that he now finds with our Father. We however also mourn the loss from this earth, of a true saint, who has led a remarkable mission to give life to children. As we rejoice at the elevation of our brother to a higher place, we cannot hide our sadness at losing his presence with us. We pray God’s blessings on his soul, and we pray God’s blessings on the family that he leaves behind, and also on the children that had come to know him as their own father. Mr. Kasimonje passed away on Sunday November 18th, in Harare Zimbabwe, while surrounded by his family, friends and colleagues. We share our condolences with all that had come to know Mr. Kasimonje. Members of the HAZ team, our clients and some of close partners also had personal messages to share in memory of Mr. Kasimonje:

“This is very sad news indeed, the man set an epic trend in Zimbabwean history by putting the Luck Street orphanage on the map. He was an inspiration to many children and will be remembered fondly, rest in peace”

“I am deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Moosa Kasimonje. My thoughts and prayers during this difficult time are with Moosa’s family and those who knew and cared for him. His strength and goodness was an inspiration to us all. May Moosa Rest In Peace. He will always be remembered for the great man he was”

“…Basa ravo rinopupura roga nezve moyo wavo wetsitsi kune vamwe vanhu. Vakapa tariro yehupenyu kune vana, zvinova zvinofadza ivo Mwari Baba naIshe Jesu.
Ini nemhuri yangu ndino batana nemi mose pane ino nguva tichikumbirira vabati vavasiyira basa, vana, pamwe nemhuri yavo kuti Mwari vavape simba pamwe nekunyaradwza.”

“May his soul rest in eternal peace…”

“This is indeed sad. My sincerest condolences…”

“I am indeed sad to learn of the loss…”

“So sorry to read about Moosa, he will be greatly missed, we truly have lost a father and many will feel that loss…”

“… our deepest sympathies to his family and colleagues about his Homegoing. We are very sad to hear of the news. He devoted his life to the project and the children. Many lives have been touched by his and concern for the well-being or the children. We will keep everyone there in our prayers. May he receive the great rewards in heaven for his service unto the Lord.”

“It is with great shock and sadness that I receive the message on the passing on of Mr. Kasimonje. I had not met him personally but I knew him as a brother in the fight against HIV, AIDS and the dreadful effects to the families, communities and Zimbabwe as a whole.”

“Yes, it is very sad about our brother and friend, but we know with full assurance that he is in a better place and out of his suffering. We consider it a privilege to have known him and without a doubt, we shall all miss him tremendously. Moosa was an example to us all and his enthusiasm for the work of the Kingdom was an inspiration to many. Our prayers are with Just Kids and his precious family.”

“I am sorry to hear of the passing of a saint, and I will remember Mr. Moosa Kasimonje in my prayers.”

“The funeral went on very well and those that witnessed it believe he is elevated to Our Lord through his wonderful works with kids and those he met in his ministry. I also believe that those he has been working with have been given courage and leadership light to carry on with the work he left. As witnessed he often said 2007 is the year Our dreams will come true, a year of completion. Maybe he was referring to his departure. Pane song inoti in Shona, Ndave kuenda basa ndasiya ndapedza. He did his job and its left for us to continue with the light he lit.” – Mrs. Elizabeth Mazhetese. HAZ Operations Director, Zimbabwe.