Air Force of Zimbabwe comes to Gokwe family’s rescue

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A TIMELY donation by the Air Force of Zimbabwe saved the day for the family of 15-year-old Tariro Nhamoinesu of Gokwe,  that for the past eight years had to endure the hurdle of carrying her to Machakata Primary School — a distance of one-and-a-half kilometers either on their back or using a donkey-drawn cart.

Tariro’s legs became paralysed when she was four years old and it remains a mystery what really happened as both medical and traditional experts seem to be at a loss of a sensible explanation, at least according to her parents.

Whether it is a case of witchcraft or some other medical problem, the parents would not be drawn into saying although they confirmed having travelled far and wide in search of corrective measures but all was in vain.

The parents said Tariro was born “normal” only to be attacked by a rare disease, which left both her legs short and paralysed resulting in her inability to walk on her own.

Life for the girl, who is supposed to be in Form Three but just wrote her Grade Seven examinations this year owing to her unique condition, has not been very rosy. Hers has been a difficult and painful life and was only eased last week after a timely donation by the Airforce of Zimbabwe through its Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund that donated a wheelchair and an assortment of other goodies to the girl, much to the relief of not only her family — her mother in particular, but her friends and community at large.

For when her mother was not available to carry her to school, her school mates would take turns to carry her on their backs as she could not walk the long journey to school. Many a times, she failed to attend lessons at Machakata Primary School in Gokwe (Midlands), as at times all the three options would not be available. Despite being considered a fairly bright pupil at school, her future was being dented by failure to fulfil educational obligations as there would be larger than life issues to attend to.

Although this is a sad and unique story, it goes on to reflect the plight of the disabled who live in the rural areas and the abject poverty that they are exposed to. Tariro’s parents narrate how they have to endure the pain of watching their daughter writhing in pain over an unknown ailment.

Her father, Mr Moses Nhamoinesu, a welder by profession who is not formally employed gave a heart-rending account of how her daughter had been suffering in. Although he does piece welding jobs around Gokwe’s Njelele area, his income was not enough to purchase a wheelchair for his beloved daughter.

“We had resorted to using a donkey drawn scotch cart to carry her to school on a daily basis. This had become difficult for us as at times, especially the last days when she was about to write her Grade Seven examinations, the teacher would want her earlier at school but she could not make it in time,” said Mr Nhamoinesu.

Although he ruled out witchcraft and choosing to cast the blame on the gods, Mr Nhamoinesu said doctors both traditional and medical have failed to solve the problem that befell their daughter.

As if true to his name, Nhamoinesu (loosely translated, we have all the problems), Tariro’ elder sister, Shuvai (17) has also been facing the same predicament and is currently enrolled at King George High School for the disabled.

“It started with the elder sister who also suffered from the same disease while she was also four years. She became paralysed and thanks to well-wishers and donors, she is at a disabled school where she is doing her studies,” he explained.

Tariro’s teacher, Mr Oscar Chapfuradombo explained how the girl was so determined with her school work and how she always dreamt of becoming medical doctor.

“She is so dedicated and hardworking in her school work. Even if at times I tell her not to do something because she is not capable, I would be shocked to see her among the able bodied eager to complete the task.

“We tried applying for donations through various donor organisations but all we got were empty promises. At times, we even borrowed crutches for her to use but the person later demanded them back. A number of organisations also promised to assist her but nothing materialised,” said Mr Chapfuradombo.

Tariro, who was later discovered by the department of social welfare, became one of the eight beneficiaries of the fund across the country.

Speaking after handing over the donations in Njelele area last Thursday, Air Vice-Marshall Jasper Garikayi Marangwanda said the AFZ had bought eight wheelchairs that were donated across the country targeting rural communities.

“We are happy to be transforming lives across the country. The wheelchair we are leaving here today is the seventh of the eight we bought in liaison with the department of social welfare. We are doing the same donation today in Chegutu as part of our Commander Air Force Charity Fund,” he said.

He said the move was part of the force’s pledge to support the underprivileged in the community.

“We are doing this knowing that it is from the community where we recruit our soldiers from. We have to empower the community so that we get more soldiers from the people,” said Air Vice- Marshal Marangwanda.

He said the air force was also rehabilitating and constructing schools and clinics across the country.

“Besides assisting the disabled and less privileged, we have also took it upon ourselves to empower the rural community through upgrading schools and clinics. We have ongoing projects that have reached different stages of completion across the country,” he said.

Air Vice-Marshal Marangwanda said proceeds raised through various fundraising activities as well as donations from well-wishers were used to purchase the goods.

“We recently held the Commander Airforce of  Zimbabwe Charity Fund horse race and air day in the capital and we also mobilise donations from the corporate world, whose proceeds we use to buy such donations and the renovations,” he explained.

Tariro’s parents were gratified and thanked the Air Force of Zimbabwe for the kind gesture saying they felt like a heavy burden had been taken off their lives. Mr Nhamoinesu pleaded with the authorities to assist in enrolling Tariro at a boarding school as it was difficult for her to use the wheelchair in the area characterised by sandy and loose soils. Air Vice-Marshal Marangwanda said the matter would be submitted to the board chaired by Professor Hope Sadza.