Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa-Herald Reporter
CHILDREN admitted at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital received 550 blankets from Daughters of Virtue Ministries through its Visionary Prophetess Memory Matimbire. As she celebrated 47 years, she chose to give to the sick instead of being celebrated, an act she has done annually on her birthday.
The blankets were handed over at the hospital’s children’s department, marking an act of giving back to the community done in the past six years. The act of donation turns her birthday into a moment of compassion rather than to receive.
The donation was made under the Ministry’s Arms of Love department, which since 2019 has carried out projects at Marondamashanu in Chivhu, Chikurubi Prison, Epworth, Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza Hospital.
Prophetess Matimbire said the Sally Mugabe Hospital donation continued a tradition she started in 2019, of marking each birthday by reaching out to a different community in need.
“This is not our first time doing this, but by the grace of God, it is now our yearly tradition. On all my birthdays since 2019, various locations and various lives have been transformed and touched through these donations,” she said.
“We have been to Marondamashanu in Chivhu, we have been to Chikurubi Prison, we have been to Epworth, we have been to Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo, just to mention a few, and we have also been to Chitungwiza Hospital.” She said the donations were rooted in her ministry’s Arms of Love mandate, which she described as putting the Christian call to charity into practice.
“Our mandate is simple: to extend the love of Christ to those in need. We believe that love must be seen in action, and our ministry realises the pressure the Government has, and it is only right to assist in whatever small way possible.
“As the Bible says in Proverbs 19 verse 17, whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done,” she said. Turning to the significance of the gift itself, Prophetess Matimbire said the blankets were meant to offer more than physical warmth to the young patients.
“We bring blankets for the paediatric hospital not because it is a lot, but because we know a child needs warmth to heal. A blanket is not just a cloth; it is comfort, it is love, and it is our prayer for quick recovery for every child who uses it,” she said.
“To all our hardworking nurses and doctors, we appreciate your sacrifice. You are doing the great work of God,” she said.
Daughters of Virtue Resource Director Evangelist Shepherd Matimbire said the ministry’s founder had, over the years, made it a personal conviction to seek out a needy community each birthday.
“As our visionary has taught us, a candle loses nothing in lighting another candle.
“It has become a tradition that on the occasion of her birthday, she looks for a place or a community with a need, and she strives to address that need,” he said.
He added on Prophetess Matimbire’s generous work.
“She paid school fees for more than 50 students at Secondary School until they finished their studies and donated stationery, laptops, and bicycles to the primary school, as well as food to the community.
“In Epworth, we donated to the local community, and in Chitungwiza Hospital, we donated sheets. Last year we were in Matabeleland, at Ingutsheni Hospital, where she also made donations of groceries,” he said.
He said the ministry viewed the outreach as an extension of worship rather than a once-off act of charity.
“She has taught us that worship has to reach beyond the pulpit. It has to flow into the communities. In any area that is in need, she extends her hand,” he said.
“We also have to show the compassion that Christ has shown us. We also have to extend it to those in need,” he said.
Evangelist Matimbire said the ministry, which has a footprint across 23 countries, settled on the hospital’s children’s ward this year after establishing where the need was greatest.
“As Daughters of Virtue, we are in each and every town and city in Zimbabwe, and we are spread across 23 nations of the world. Every Wednesday and Saturday we gather for prayer,” he said.
“Today, at the paediatric department at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, a total of 550 blankets were donated, specifically for the children’s wards. This year, the woman of God directed us to come here, to the children’s department, to see which area we could assist,” he said.
Matron in Charge of Children Sister Rusiya Jongwe said the donation came to a hospital carrying a heavy patient load, much of it from low-income communities around the capital.
“Our hospital is a busy hospital. It is a 242-bed hospital, and we receive most of our patients from greater Harare, the poor side. We have a lot of patients who are sick, but the problem is that most of them are disadvantaged,” she said.
“We have an ICU and a beds unit — the beds unit is one of the busiest ones. We also have a research ward, which is very busy because we get transfers from other areas because of our speciality,” she said. She said the hospital had been battling a shortage of blankets and linen, with existing stock wearing out faster than it could be replaced.
“We have gaps in terms of blankets, and in terms of sheets and linen. The sheets sometimes get over-washed, and they tear apart quickly,” she said.
“The challenge is that we also need resources. It is full throughout the year. Normally in winter we would expect full house, but we find it is almost throughout the year that we need to manage overflow into other wards,” she said.
Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Public Relations Officer Isabel Moyo said she only learnt of the planned donation after the ministry approached her directly.
“They got in touch with me and said they wanted to do something. It was on her birthday — that is when I learnt about it,” she said.
“They said it is part of their culture, that they always do this donation on her birthday,” she said. She said she was struck by the unusual gesture from someone choosing to give to others on their own birthday, rather than receive.
“It is something new to me. Usually on a birthday, people receive; they do not give. It shows the magnitude and the abundance of her giving heart,” she said.
“I am very honoured and very thankful for this gift. It shows the warmth; it shows that we are being thought about,” she said.
She formally accepted the donation on behalf of hospital management.
“As the Matron mentioned, we try to make ends meet, so such a gesture means a lot to us,” she said.
“On behalf of the chief medical officer, all directors, and hospital management, I would like to say thank you, Mama, and we accept your gift,” she said.
This donation ceremony comes amidst preparations for the mega all-night being hosted by Daughters of Virtue on Friday night at the Glamis Arena.
