Accts MMI Associate and former staff member Valvakan (Val) Rajah entered heaven on April 25th after a long battle with cancer. In 1972 Val, who was of Indian descent, joined the Rhodesian Armed Forces chaplaincy and rose to the rank of chaplain general of Zimbabwe (1981-1985). He was one of the first three non-whites to become an officer in Zimbabwe’s armed forces. In a 1985 Mail Reporter (Zimbabwe) article, he stated, “It was only the Prime Minister’s initial policy of reconciliation that enabled someone like me to be appointed Chaplain General of the defense forces.” In 1985 he was forced to resign due to his stance on human rights issues concerning military personnel imprisoned by the ruling government. In 1986 Val and his first wife Valerie began to work with Accts MMI.
A printer by trade, Val began his military ministry shortly after converting from Hinduism to Christianity. Throughout his career and ministry, Val acted as a human rights advocate by speaking out against injustices and championed many issues, from prisoner care to homelessness.
Val was buried in Brazil, where he and Gina had been staying to receive medical treatment, on Sunday. Many chaplains, military personnel, and pastors attended the funeral. The Brazilian air force performed a four-plane flyover at his burial in recognition of Val’s service to humanity.
Val was preceeded in death by his father, Rama Naran Rajah; brothers Tiny and Dindela; and his first wife wife Valerie (Lali, or Val). He is survived by wife Gina; his mother Nagama Rajah; and children Gary (Chris) Rajah, Ruth (Basil) Fernandes, and Donna (Roger) Betten.
Please be in prayer for Gina and the entire family at this time.