CITY BEGGARS ‘HIRE’ DISABLED CHILDREN

Trust Khosa

PHILANTHROPIST and researcher, Dorcas Sibanda, who runs the Dzikisa Munyengetero Foundation, has highlighted the trend of beggars in Zimbabwe hiring children with disabilities to beg for money from motorists at traffic light controlled intersections.

The charity looks after 50 children with disabilities in Glen Norah and Hopley Farm. It also provides counselling, food and entrepreneurship skills to people with disabilities and their families.

“I have been operating the Dzikisa Mweya Foundation for close to a decade, but didn’t want it to be known since I am doing it from the heart,” said Sibanda, the wife to gospel singer Mambo Dhuterere.

The mother of four revealed that she has been researching the plight of children with disabilities, which drives her to keep going.

“Charity work requires a lot of research and we also found out that there are some evil beggars who have a habit of hiring children with disabilities to make money.

“It’s sad to note that we have evil people in our midst who are doing some of the craziest stuff, which should be condemned.

“Children with disabilities deserve a better life and we should not tolerate this nonsense.”

Sibanda has pledged to empower mothers/guardians of children with disabilities with projects and ensure they stop begging.

“It’s very sad when people are using disabled children to solicit money from motorists when they can do other projects.

She blamed some men for running away from responsibility when their partners give birth to disabled children and called for better treatment of people with disabilities.

“It’s quite unfortunate that we have some men who vanish when their spouses give birth to children with disabilities.

“Children with disabilities deserve the same love that we give to the able-bodied,” she said.

Sibanda said giving has always been her calling.

“I have always wanted to help and I think it is a calling that I have to change other people’s lives.

“We can all make a difference to other people’s lives by sharing what we think is worthless,” she said.