Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu, [email protected]
THE Entumbane community in Bulawayo has launched this year’s Christmas food hampers campaign with an ambitious target of reaching more than 300 vulnerable families in the city.
The initiative, which started in 2023 by assisting just three families, has since grown into a fully-fledged community support effort. Now operating under the newly established Mlilo Family Trust Foundation, the project is spearheaded by residents Mr Nkosikhona Mlilo and Ms Margaret Zulu, who are committed to uplifting the less privileged.
The foundation is focusing on widows, orphans, the elderly, people living with disabilities, the sick and disadvantaged families, by providing comprehensive Christmas hampers. Early donations have already started coming in, showing strong support from both individuals and corporate sponsors.
“This year, we are donating under the Mlilo Family Trust Foundation. I created the foundation to attract more sponsors and give structure to our efforts. Many companies have shown interest in partnering with us, and this has enabled us to increase our reach,” said Mr Mlilo.
He said 50 people from each beneficiary group will receive hampers, amounting to 300 recipients in total. Each hamper, valued at US$32, will cover basic nutritional and hygiene needs.
The packages will include a 10kg bag of mealie-meal, 2kg rice, 2kg sugar, 2kg flour, 1kg salt, 2 litres of drink, a bar of green soap, bath soap, four packets of soup, a loaf of bread, 750ml tomato sauce, 2 litres cooking oil, a tin of baked beans, toothpaste and toothbrush, a bathing towel and a 750ml bottle of mayonnaise.
One of last year’s beneficiaries, Ms Sithembiso Moyo, a person living with a disability, expressed gratitude for the initiative.
“Last year, I didn’t know how I would feed my children for Christmas. The gesture from this initiative was truly a blessing. May God bless them abundantly for thinking of us again this year,” she said.
Mr Mlilo said the foundation’s ultimate vision goes beyond seasonal giving.
“The Mlilo Family Trust Foundation is committed to empowering marginalised groups by not only addressing immediate needs but also offering long-term support,” he said.
For Ms Zulu, the initiative is driven by compassion.
“This is all about love. We see people struggling during Christmas and we can’t just sit back while others suffer. Even a small gesture can bring joy and relief to someone in need,” she said.
