Air Force of Zim gives back to society

Esinathy Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe, through the Commander AFZ Charity Fund (CAFZCF) has handed over three tailor-made wheelchairs to children living with disabilities as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The three were drawn from Bulawayo and Matabeleland South Provinces.

The beneficiaries are Sihle Mabula (8) from Mbembesi, Chloe Ndlovu (4) from Sizinda suburb and Tinashe Chisare (11) from Entumbane suburb. The children have physical mobility challenges.

The children’s parents and caregivers were overjoyed.

“I’m running short of words. My son used to spend the whole day sleeping or sitting in a dish which was now small for him. His back would have sores due to oversleeping. I pray that this kind gesture will be extended to other children who are living with disabilities,” Tinashe’s mother Mrs Irene Chisare said with tears streaming down her cheeks.

In a handover speech, AFZ Deputy Commander Air Marshal Jacob John Nzvede, said the three were carefully selected as beneficiaries, with help from the Social Welfare Ministry.

“We saw it fit as the AFZ to give back to the society since we are what we are because of the society. This has been possible through the Charity Fund led by Professor Hope Sadza,” he said.

“We have embarked on this project of donating wheelchairs and other devices including artificial limbs. This is the second time we are doing this. The first handover was done in Harare where 10 people received these wheelchairs.”

The CAFZCF is meant to benefit the less privileged and marginalised communities.

Funds are raised through Commander Charity dinners, Commander Charity horse races and donations from well-wishers.

“Since its inception, the CAFZCF has been mostly concentrating on assisting marginalised communities through the provision of health services and education facilities among others,” said Deputy Air Marshal Nzvede.
“Assistance has been in various forms like construction of schools and clinics, renovation of the aforementioned, scholarships to intelligent, but underprivileged children, clothing donations to individuals, stationery, computer donations and sourcing of e-learning facilities for schools.”

Some of the AFZ infrastructure development projects include construction of Negove Clinic in Midlands, Gwelutshena Vocational Training Centre, a clinic and school near Mozambique Border Post, Morongwe Primary School and Dande Secondary School and Clinic.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Provincial Officers applauded the AFZ gesture.

The country has more than 1,5 million people living with disabilities that are physiological, functional and mobility related.

The hand-over events were attended by senior AFZ officers, officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, villagers, residents and traditional leaders among others. — @esinathy_essira