Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
FIRST Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has challenged churches to complement prayer with practical community development initiatives, saying faith-based organisations have a critical role in improving people’s livelihoods.
Speaking through Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister, Honourable Mercy Maruva Dinha at the Apostolic Ejuwel Jekenisheni Church’s annual Passover Conference at Mabiya Shrine this afternoon, the First Lady said churches and Government should work together to accelerate rural development.
“Government alone cannot achieve every developmental aspiration of our people. However, when Government, churches, traditional leaders and communities unite around a common purpose, remarkable transformation becomes possible,” she said.
This was after witnessing that the community development projects she initiated at the shrine in 2022 have improved access to electricity, clean water, irrigation and income-generating opportunities for congregants and surrounding communities.
During the conference, the First Lady donated 100 food hampers for elderly women, 10 tonnes of wheat, with five tonnes going to the church and another five tonnes to the surrounding community, as well as goats and chicks to strengthen livelihood projects.
Church leaders said the interventions had transformed lives and pledged to continue implementing sustainable projects that promote food security and self-reliance.
