Fire victim widow gets boost from EFZ Church, TTI

Valencia Ndhlovu and Clementine Phulu, Sunday News Reporters

THE Evangelical Fellowship Church of Zimbabwe (EFZ) has donated an assortment of goods that include household property to a widow in Nkulumane 11 in Bulawayo whose house was destroyed by a mysterious fire.

The fire left a trail of destruction at the house on 17 August and the owner of the house, Mrs Irene Ncube (60), received blankets, bed, wardrobe, dishes and other utensils after a short church service yesterday.

Overseer Ellison Shava on behalf of Bishop Nkosilathi Ncube said the church decided to assist the family to show what a church and community can do together.

“On behalf of the Zone Chairperson Bishop Ncube the one who came up with the initiative under EFZ, I want to let you know that  pastors voluntarily pledged as individuals to fundraise and the first thing we wanted to get was a bed, but a company, General bedding, blessed us by donating a bed, that’s when we decided to get a wardrobe. We noticed that Mrs Ncube needed a sewing machine and that’s when we decided to get her one since that was her way of making money. To other churches we would like to say pastors should be able to respond when anything in the community comes up and give a helping hand,” he said.

Tendy Three Investments parking company (TTI) is also helping to repair the house and has managed to replace  windows, roofing and also bought doors for the house. Managing director of TTI Mr Bongani Nyathi said when they heard about the incident they promised the family that they will fix the house.

“When we heard about this incident we came as a company and promised to fix Mrs Ncube’s house and we are going to fulfil our promises. We are not yet done because we are yet to paint it, put electricity and we hope soon we are going to be done,” he said.

MP for Nkulumane Constituency Hon Kucaca Phulu said he appreciated the wonderful job done by everyone who came through for the Ncube family and encouraged the church and the community to continue helping one another.

“We would like to thank you all for the wonderful job that you have done, and after today we must as churches, residents continue visiting and helping the Ncube family,” he said. 

The Mayor of Bulawayo, Clr Solomon Mguni, thanked the church for helping the needy.

“I would like to thank everyone who found it necessary to contribute towards this family and I am saying to the churches, you are the arm that is close to the people, continue doing the good work,” he said.

After receiving the donations, Mrs Ncube said she could not even explain how thankful she was.

“I pray the Lord blesses the people who helped me by donating as the scripture says where you take God will add more. I’m just so amazed at how much I received help, as not everyone is fortunate enough to receive such help. I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am to God and the pastors in general,” she said.