Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
DZIKWA Trust in Dzivaresekwa has, over the years, provided food, education and care to thousands of vulnerable children.
The trust has served over 560 children in Dzivarasekwa, Kuwadzana and Warren Park, with around 400 currently benefiting from its programmes which have produced nearly 100 bachelor’s degrees, 20 master’s degrees and two PhDs.
These attributes were disclosed at the 58th birthday celebrations of the founder, Mr Seppo Ainamo, who said he was comfortable to have a long future of helping the needy.
“We always gather together on May 14 and have such a birthday party and it is great fun not only for the children, but also for me. As long as I’m standing on my own feet, I have no intention to stop now as am looking at sustainability to find somebody from Zimbabwe to continue this voluntary work,” he said.
He said the trust initially sought to provide basic education, but with so many talented children, it expanded to A-Levels and universities.
“Apart from paying all the school expenses, fees, uniforms, stationery, we also feed the children about 400 children and 200 outside the community from Monday to Saturday and cumulatively we are now at 2,5 million hot plates of food.
“We provide healthcare, physical training and access to basic national documents such as birth certificates,”he added.
Meanwhile, Dzikwa Trust manager Mrs Priscilla Takawira said Dzivarasekwa community knows the trust for its charity and generosity.
“As we transform the community, we have international students sent in line with the Presidential scholarship and government-to-government scholarships,” she said.
Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Ms Minoli Pereira said the Australian government had partnered Dzikwa Trust.
“We are very happy to be partners with Dzikwa Trsut in terms of their educational programmes, we have donated funding over many years to help build the coding centre here at the Activity Centre, installing boreholes, solar panels and do some work with their new programmes around reforestation.”
