Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
The Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre has broken new ground by introducing vocational skills training for the first time, expanding its rehabilitation programme beyond drug and substance abuse recovery to equip beneficiaries with practical skills to rebuild their lives and establish sustainable livelihoods.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa introduced the skills training programme to enable her to personally supervise the initiative, assess the beneficiaries’ commitment and dedication, and ensure that their efforts translate into practical skills, meaningful opportunities and a successful future.
The first group of beneficiaries graduated yesterday after acquiring essential practical skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and the rebuilding of productive lives under the guidance of Dr Mnangagwa.
The skills development programme, which will now become a permanent feature of the centre’s rehabilitation model, is designed to help beneficiaries identify their talents, acquire practical knowledge and explore opportunities for self-employment and successful reintegration into society.
The historic pioneering graduation ceremony, held at the centre in Mbare, celebrated the progress made by participants who have embraced rehabilitation while acquiring practical skills that give them a second chance to build productive and sustainable livelihoods.
The programme’s impact was reflected in the strong family support it attracted, with parents and guardians travelling from across the country, including Beitbridge, Maphisa, Mutare, Chipinge, Bulawayo, Chiredzi and Kariba, to celebrate their loved ones’ progress and encourage them as they embark on a new chapter in life.
The parents broke into a chorus of chants, affectionately describing the First Lady as Mother Zimbabwe and celebrating her work across the country, which they said had touched lives and benefitted Zimbabweans from all walks of life.
This culminated into emotional moments as graduates embraced their parents and guardians with hugs conveying relief, gratitude and renewed hope after their rehabilitation journey.
Beaming smiles lit up the faces of loved ones as they celebrated not only the graduates’ recovery, but also the practical skills they had acquired, all free of charge, through the First Lady, whom they affectionately referred to as Mother Zimbabwe.
The skills have given the graduates a fresh opportunity to rebuild their lives and pursue sustainable livelihoods.
For many parents and guardians, seeing their children graduate free from drug and substance abuse, equipped with practical skills and ready to start afresh was a moment of immense pride and joy. The vibrant ceremony began with the Patron of the Angel of Hope Foundation, First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, touring exhibition stands where graduating beneficiaries showcased an array of products they had made during training in fence making, welding, detergent manufacturing, garment making, food processing and value addition, among other disciplines.
Among the products on display were harrows, fences, clothes, marmalade jam, fruit juices, porridge, body lotions, perfumes, roll-on deodorants, fabric softeners, dishwashing liquid, pine gel, engine cleaners and degreasers.
The exhibition provided a practical demonstration of the graduates’ abilities, showcasing the quality of their work and the potential of vocational training to transform lives, promote self-reliance and create economic opportunities.
Ahead of the graduation, our crew witnessed first-hand how the graduates acquired practical skills and put their knowledge into practice by producing various products.
The graduates also received training in entrepreneurship and business management, equipping them with the knowledge needed to establish, manage and sustain businesses using the skills they had acquired.
One of the most touching moments of the graduation came when a 16-year-old boy took to the stage to celebrate his 31-year-old uncle.
He dedicated a song to him, recalling the sleepless nights caused by his uncle’s intoxication.
The emotional moment culminated in a warm embrace as the uncle promised never to return to his previous behaviour, drawing applause from the audience. In another heart-breaking, yet ultimately uplifting testimony, a mother whose two sons had been admitted to the centre recounted how her eldest son, Panashe, had subjected both her and his own son to abuse before being admitted for rehabilitation.
In an emotional moment, Panashe’s son came forward and embraced his father, experiencing a sense of safety and comfort in his arms after years of abuse and difficult experiences.
The atmosphere was charged with emotion.
In her interactive address, the First Lady said the introduction of skills training marked an important step in preparing young people for life beyond rehabilitation. Mother Zimbabwe said the first skills training course had allowed beneficiaries to discover their individual abilities and identify areas they wished to pursue.
“This is the first skills development course we have conducted at this centre, and it will become a permanent feature of our rehabilitation programme,” she said.
“My greatest desire was to see each young person discover their individual abilities, creativity and potential through practical skills. Each one had an opportunity to identify what they wanted to pursue.”
Dr Mnangagwa said she would interact with the beneficiaries upon their return from training to hear what they had learnt.
Some had brought products they had made and promised to prepare them for their loved ones back home after completing their rehabilitation.
The First Lady said the experience demonstrated the importance of giving young people opportunities, encouragement and an environment in which they could discover their potential.
Dr Mnangagwa revealed that she had spent time with the beneficiaries, witnessing their transformation and commitment to the rehabilitation programme.
“What has impressed me most is how quickly they embraced change. They took this programme seriously and committed themselves fully to the journey of transformation.
“Not a single one of them entertained thoughts of leaving or running away. They invested their time, energy and minds in the programme, believing that their future could begin here,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa urged families and communities to embrace and support the graduates as they reintegrate into society, encouraging parents and guardians to nurture their children’s self-reliance by allowing them to reinvest proceeds from their newly acquired skills into building sustainable livelihoods.
“Their rehabilitation does not end at graduation. They need acceptance, encouragement and opportunities to put their newly acquired skills into practice,” she said.
“Let us not destroy the progress these young people have made. Instead, let us support them, encourage them and help them grow. These young people have listened, learnt and demonstrated a willingness to change. They deserve our continued support.”
The First Lady also encouraged the graduates to put the skills acquired during their training into practice, saying this would help them sustain themselves and build their futures.
Dr Mnangagwa urged the graduates to remain disciplined and committed as they proceed to Youth Service, where they will continue developing themselves.
“Life is a journey, and it requires determination and perseverance. Success requires commitment, discipline and hard work,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa also commended the young people for participating in a football outing at Scottland FC, where they interacted and played alongside football legends Peter Ndlovu, Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, among others.
She said some beneficiaries who initially struggled to run for 10 minutes when they were admitted were now fit and able to play for more than an hour, demonstrating their progress and renewed confidence.
The outing was intended to lift their spirits and show them that they could achieve their aspirations.
The First Lady thanked the partners supporting the rehabilitation initiative, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, as well as other stakeholders involved in empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries also receive skills training from the University of Zimbabwe as part of the institution’s commitment to giving back to the community.
The institution is working with the Angel of Hope Foundation on various initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable communities and improving livelihoods.
For the beneficiaries, the skills development programme has provided an opportunity to discover their potential, gain confidence and prepare for life beyond rehabilitation.
Bianca Maravanyika, who graduated with a welding certificate, said she was excited to have acquired skills in a field traditionally dominated by men, and thanked Dr Mnangagwa for the golden opportunity.
“I am extremely happy to have obtained my first welding certificate. Welding is traditionally a male-dominated field, but I want to contribute to promoting gender balance in the industry. My dream is to become an employer, create opportunities for others and use my skills to support my family and parents,” she said.
Her aspirations reflect the growing opportunities for women to venture into technical fields and challenge traditional gender stereotypes.
Norman Makambaya, who undertook food processing training, said the programme had exposed him to skills he never imagined he could acquire.
“This has been a new experience for me. I never imagined that I would find myself in this position. I have acquired new skills, including cooking and food preparation.
“These are skills I never thought I would be able to learn.
“I am confident that I will be able to start my own catering business, something I never imagined I could do. I am truly grateful for this opportunity,” he said.
Another graduate, Takudzwa Proud Rwambiwa, who trained in detergent production, said obtaining a certificate had given him something tangible to build on as he worked towards a better future.
“I am extremely happy and grateful for this opportunity. I now have a certificate, and I will no longer leave empty-handed. I have acquired skills that I can put to good use and build a better future for myself,” he said.
Deputy Minister for Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Kiven Mutimbanyoka said the First Lady’s programme recognised that successful recovery from drug and substance abuse required more than treatment, with young people also requiring practical skills and economic opportunities to rebuild their lives.
He said the initiative had equipped beneficiaries with vocational, entrepreneurship and business management skills to help them establish sustainable livelihoods, reintegrate into society and guard against relapse.
The training covered business idea generation, marketing, costing and pricing, business planning and financial literacy, alongside practical skills in various trades.
Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka thanked Dr Mnangagwa for recognising the potential of young people who had been overlooked by society and giving them an opportunity to regain their confidence and dignity.
“We are grateful to our First Lady for identifying these young people who had been lost and taking them in so that they could be rebuilt and restored to their rightful place in society,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Kudakwashe Mupamhanga commended the First Lady for embracing young people who had experienced social exclusion and ensuring their rehabilitation was complemented by opportunities for economic empowerment.
“Some of you were now outcasts in society, but the First Lady took you on board. Some of you had been abandoned by your families, but she wanted to see you and help you,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mupamhanga also highlighted the Government’s youth empowerment initiatives, including the National Venture Capital Fund and the Youth Empowerment Fund, which provide opportunities for young people to establish businesses.
“I encourage you not to waste this opportunity,” he said, urging the graduates to take advantage of the available support and put their newly acquired skills into practice.
Parents and guardians were overcome with joy and gratitude, celebrating what they described as a life-changing second chance for their loved ones.
A man who described the First Lady as Mother Zimbabwe expressed profound gratitude to Dr Mnangagwa for taking care of his two children, the eldest and second-born, who are undergoing rehabilitation.
“I want to thank you, our Amai. I never imagined that my children would reach such a stage in life. Thank you for taking them in and helping them,” he said.
Another parent said his first-born son had assumed a fatherly role in the family, leaving him overwhelmed by the challenges caused by substance abuse.
She urged the First Lady to remain focused on her positive work, saying she had been sent by God to rescue children across the country.
“Do not listen to negative things people say. Focus only on the good. God sent you to rescue the children of this country,” she said.
Another parent recalled how his child had neglected personal hygiene during the period of substance abuse, expressing gratitude for the transformation brought about by rehabilitation.
