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Columbus Mabika and Rejoice Makoni
The Air Force of Zimbabwe through its charity initiatives, continues transforming disadvantaged communities and empowering the physically challenged to ensure they fully contribute to the national development agenda, Commander AFZ Air Marshal Elson Moyo has said.
Since its inception in 2011, the Commander AFZ Charity Fund (CAZCF) has helped hundreds of people with disabilities as part of its humanitarian work and constructed several schools and clinics throughout the country.
Handing over assistive devices to beneficiaries at AFZ headquarters yesterday, Air Marshal Moyo said the AFZ aimed to continue growing its charity and humanitarian initiatives for the betterment of the nation.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Air Force of Zimbabwe in particular are part of the Zimbabwe society,” he said. “We live and see disadvantaged people on a daily basis and we think we have a role to play to make sure that we bring a smile to those who are deprived by looking for partners who can work with us in providing services to the needy.
“One of the programmes that has touched many, the most, has been the outreach initiative to empower people, who are physically challenged and those in the most disadvantaged communities.
“Since the inception of the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund in 2011, we have implemented a number of programmes that have benefited many individuals and communities in various parts of Zimbabwe.”
As the country is emerging from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic there was need for a united front in fighting the challenges that are being faced by communities.
“It is by no means an exaggeration that the Charity Fund was able to empower the many beneficiaries with assistive devices because of the unwavering support we receive from stakeholders,” said Air Marshal Moyo.
“The significance of the donation is evident when viewed against the reality that Zimbabwe has over 1,5 million people who have disability challenges that are physiological, functional and mobility related.”
CAZCF board vice chairperson, Mr Luxon Zembe, said AFZ community projects should be cascaded to individuals who feel they are marginalised. They were working with the Department of Disability Affairs to distribute the wheel chairs.
“The scope and intensity of the intervention programmes by the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe charity fund has gained new momentum since the end of the Covid era,” he said. “Over the years, our efforts have focused on charity works that impact on the livelihoods of many beneficiaries across the country. Such a vision requires pillars that provide continuous support for the betterment of the underprivileged in our communities.”
Since 2018, Mr Zembe said the charity fund had deliberately focused on mobilising and handing over assistive devices to needy people across the country, with the purpose of the initiative to empower people to become mobile and perform other tasks without assistance.
He said the beneficiaries who received the assistive devices were identified through a needs assessment programme done in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare from across the country’s ten provinces.
The devices were donated to the Air Force fund by Life International, whose project director Mr Alec Dambudzo said his organisation will continue partnering departments and institutions on developmental issues as part of their community responsibility.
A beneficiary, Mr Paul Danger of Bindura, said the initiative needed others when it came to empowering people with disabilities to copy AFZ changing lives initiatives.
“I am very happy that today I received a wheelchair from the Air Force of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“It will go a long way in helping me accessing services I require. Now that I have a wheelchair, I can start entrepreneurial activities. I call upon others to copy and follow suit in empowering disadvantaged citizens.”
Online Reporter