Interview with Mary Mutsogoro, Finance and Administration Manager

As ASAP’s first employee, Mary Mutsogoro has been through many changes with the organization. She laughs as she tells me that when she first got a letter asking her to interview for the receptionist position, she was so excited she hid the letter in her clothes drawer for safe keeping and started counting down the days until her interview. Since that time, Mary has been promoted through several jobs to the position of Finance and Administration Manager that she currently holds.

“Through my years of work with ASAP, I have changed a lot! I’ve gained many skills and experiences,” Mary says with a smile. ASAP has changed quite a bit since that time as well. From an idea in the minds of two idealistic Peace Corps volunteers to a successful organization improving the lives of thousands, ASAP has grown up. Mary has been there to see it happen.

What has remained the same is that the participants have always been the driving force between ASAP’s work, which has deeply affected Mary. “At Kufusa Mari field days, we hear from clients who had been chased away from school, but now can pay their fees, who were barefoot, but now have shoes, who went hungry, but now can buy food for their families.”

Mary understands what it is to go without. “The economy is the challenge because prices are changing on a daily basis. Our rent doubles or triples every month. It’s terrible! We are struggling just to make ends meet.” Making the situation even more difficult is the fact that Mary has a two year-old son named Kimbeily who cannot understand why now he doesn’t get sugar in his porridge or sweets when they go to the store.

Still, Mary is convinced that this rough period in Zimbabwe’s history is merely a stage, another step in her—and ASAP’s—development. “Once the currency stabilizes, things will get better,” she says more to herself than to me.

Clearly aid is needed in Zimbabwe right now. When I ask Mary why people should choose to give to ASAP when there are so many non-profits to choose from, she replies honestly, “Money. ASAP makes sure the money reaches the intended people- the beneficiaries."

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