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Tendai Rupapa in MAZOWE
SPOUSES of junior and senior members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have been thrust on the pedestal of success, thanks to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who handed over a solar powered borehole and two green houses.
Established at Lowdale Farm, the facilities were delivered as part of the mother of the nation’s empowerment initiatives to economically empower the country’s citizenry.
The First Lady has a passion for women empowerment and the latest project is meant to empower them to complement their spouses through hard work.
Greenhouses allow for a longer growing season of cash crops, offer protection from harsh weather conditions, give more plant options and help control pests and diseases.
The donation also came with inputs and within three months, beneficiaries of the project would be able to harvest five to nine tonnes of tomatoes.
Officially handing over the donation to the spouses of the police officers, the First Lady said she was delighted by their willingness to engage in income-generating projects for the upliftment of their households in support of their spouses.
This, she said, prompted her to engage Angel of Hope Foundation partners who could come in to assist with this cause.
“As a result, one of the approached partners, Uebert Angel Foundation responded to Angel of Hope Foundation’s clarion call in order to see this vision manifest. Each greenhouse contains 1 500 plants of tomatoes making them a total of 3 000 plants for the two greenhouses donated. In addition, a solar powered borehole was installed to guarantee the smooth operation of irrigation processes,” she said.
The First Lady said one of the core principles of Angel of Hope Foundation was the empowerment of women to alleviate their living standards as reflected by this project.
“In our culture, it is known that women are the foundation of the home. Hence, it is imperative for wives to offer spousal support in their households. When a woman contributes economically to the upkeep of the family setup, she becomes a respectable helper who does not let the husband carry the financial burden alone.
“If a mother contributes economically, through domestic projects to the family, this lessens quarrels because the family will have more than one stream of earnings. Most cases of domestic strife have their origins in financial strains which lead to disagreements, lack of trust and communication breakdown. Once a woman is economically empowered, she will not have ample time to gossip or covet leading to promiscuity because her mind is occupied with various ideas for the development and improvement of her project venture. The same woman if she has nothing to do, will take home problems that result in disrespecting the husband, not staying at home but constantly loitering in the neighbourhood spreading malicious hearsay due to idleness. Such unproductive behaviour affects the marriage as the husband is constantly stressed and under pressure because of his wife’s unbecoming behaviour. This in turn affects his efficiency at work meaning he cannot carry out national duty effectively. These issues can be solved by the genesis of income generating projects which will help in bettering the lives of families,” she said.
She implored beneficiaries of the project to work hard with determination and unity so that it gives birth to more greenhouses in all the provinces.
Total workmanship, she said, was required, jealously guarding the work from vandalism and theft.
“This site needs to be looked after and I am hereby urging the Zimbabwe Republic Police officials to oversee securing of the premises protecting this project.
“I would be glad if you were to invite me in all the 10 provinces from which you were selected to showcase the fruits of these first two greenhouses,” she said.
“Project yenyu yauya iyi madzimai. Vane ruzivo rwezvekurima vanditaurira kuti in three months time munenge makutokohwa five to nine tonnes of tomatoes.
“Tikaisa musoro pamwe chete pfungwa dzedu dzopinda muproject, zvinounza kubatana pakati pedu semadzimai,” she said.
The donation torched scenes of jubilation and in her acceptance speech, the wife to Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, Mrs Chamapiwa Matanga expressed delight at what the First Lady had done for them.
“Your Excellency a few months ago we had a rare privilege of meeting you. You took us through a number of lessons many of which were aimed at teaching us to preserve our culture and taking care of our families. Like any child afforded such an opportunity we requested assistance in various areas one of which was helping us as police wives undertake viable income-generating projects.
“Being a mother you simply pledged to assist us little did we know that the pledge would be honoured so swiftly. We were also quite confident especially given your luminary philanthropic track record that our mother will make us proud and fulfil her promise.
“Amai on behalf of the police wives and indeed on my own behalf I thank you very much.
“We are exceedingly humbled by your generous gesture and pray that the lord almighty continues to richly bless you for the amazing works you are doing helping people from various walks of life through the Angel of hope foundation,” she said.
Mrs Matanga said as women, spouses of police officers knew too well that money was in the soil.
“We want to assure you Amai that every effort shall be exerted in ensuring the full utilisation of this donation in enhancing agricultural production at ZRP Lowdale farm and indeed improving our livelihoods,” he said.
Representing the Uebert Angel Foundation, Pastor Leonah Zenda said they stepped in to assist because they appreciated the work that is being done by the First Lady countrywide.
“After seeing the work our First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has been doing through her Angel of Hope Foundation to help and improve the lives of Zimbabwean people, especially the women, our patron Mrs Beverly Angel saw it fit to partner with her when she called us to help assist the police wives to improve their lives economically and to empower them,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Loice Matake, whose husband works in the Criminal Investigations Department could not hide her joy and thanked the First Lady describing her as a woman of action.
“I am pleased and thankful for this greenhouse project which she promised us few months back and in no time, she has delivered. We shall use it wisely with our hands therefore it means less idle time and less gossip. Besides selling the tomatoes, we promise the First Lady that we shall cook delicious meals for our husbands because their work is tough,” she said with a chuckle.
Mrs Miriam Tembo, another police officer’s wife, said she was elated by the project.
“We have been uplifted by our mother. She has brought us greenhouses which we expect to assist us and our families. This will help us to ease the burden on our husbands. It shall also help us work together as police wives and sharing ideas. We shall carry forward this project,” she said.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady has done so much for the country.
Online Reporter