malvernmugadzikwa
Youth Buzz
Rudo Mandiro
LIKE father, like son.
This phrase aptly describes Munashe Aruferi of Bindura, a young man with a heart of gold.
The death of his father — who ran Hosanna Love in Africa Children’s Home in Hatcliffe, Harare — in 2021 came as a devastating blow to dozens of kids who were under his care.
Death had taken away their only source of hope.
However, in the wake of this sad situation, 24-year-old Munashe set out to fill his father’s shoes.
He took over from where his father had left and began looking after the orphans himself.
The home’s mission is to provide a safe living environment for vulnerable children, a task Munashe, who has an intense passion for assisting the needy, has eagerly embraced.
He has imbued those he has taken in with the spirit of working and supporting each other for the good of the entire family.
Presently, he is taking care of 45 children, whose ages range from six to 14.
Undertaking such a challenging task requires vast financial resources, which Munashe does not have.
But he continues to soldier on and often receives support from his sister, Sharon, and well-wishers such as Loving Moms and Miracle Mission, two not-for-profit organisations that focus on social protection.
The home also generates some income from livestock and horticultural projects.
The orphanage cannot afford to send the children to public schools. It, thus, offers home schooling.
Munashe dreams of a day he will raise enough funds to take all “his” children to school. He looks forward to a time when qualified teachers come to offer their services free of charge so that the children can have a fair shot at succeeding in life.
“Since my father’s death, the only support we get is usually from well-wishers and donors,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“My father used to say: ‘Being a father requires you to build children through your words and deeds.’
“If our words are good, they will naturally lead the children along the correct path.
“This has been our work at Hosanna Love in Africa Children’s Home from day
one.”
The organisation’s main objective is to take care of needy children. It strives to meet their basic needs such as food, clothes, shelter, education and spiritual nourishment.
Munashe, whose mother passed away when he was still a toddler, said he also had a difficult upbringing.
“I believe that our mission is to look after vulnerable people and contribute to their survival,” he added.
The home, he said, is looking for donations in the form of stationery, school equipment, food and clothing.
Munashe, who is yet to further his studies since completing his Advanced Level, wants to pursue a career in social work.
Online Reporter