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Tendai Rupapa Senior Reporter
Glen View 8 residents were awestruck by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s visit to their neighbourhood where she handed over day-old broiler chicks and poultry feed to the visually-impaired families as part of her all-encompassing empowerment initiative that is leaving no place and no one behind.
It was the First Lady’s humility which touched people’s hearts as she entered the house where the visually-impaired men and women are cared for.
The First Lady’s intervention assured the safety of the beneficiaries who risked life and limb begging on buses and risked being run over by vehicles at road intersections.
The visually-impaired are usually escorted by their children to beg in town, making them miss school.
As the parents beg for alms, their children sometimes mix and mingle with people living and working in the streets who may introduce them to drugs.
Therefore, what the First Lady did for them, ensures their children are not led into drugs or drop out of school.
This comes barely a week after she gave them an assortment of foodstuffs and clothing.
So charmed with the First Lady’s visit were the group that they told her about their delight.
“You know Mhamha, we never thought you would come to visit us as you have done,” said Mr Phillip Saikonde.
“But I promised that I will be coming to see you vanangu,” the First Lady responded.
“We are so overjoyed. We thought you would send someone, but because of your love you have come in person. We are grateful Mhamha,” they said as the First Lady emphasised that she indeed had paid them a visit.
“You are my children. We met last week when you visited my offices and we sat down and discussed as to how we would proceed. You briefed me on your background and how you are making ends meet and I promised to help you.
“So we agreed on what we agreed and I have brought something for you. You said you wanted to start a poultry project since you were already taught how to go about the project. You said you were tired of begging on buses and the footpaths. I have come to fulfil my promise. I have brought the chicks and feed and yours is to feed and water them.”
Mr Philbert Musanhu, who is also visually-impaired, thanked the First Lady for her benevolence.
“When you beg, what you get may not be enough to feed the family. I thank you for the project you have given us which will enable our children to go to school and we get something to live on.
“I never thought you would embrace us and I am at a loss for words. I thank you for what you have done and you have taken us off the streets Amai,” he said.
He said he heard that the First Lady helped the needy and decided to approach her together with his colleagues.
A woman who is part of the group, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady and exposed how she was being abused by some men because of her visual impairment.
“First of all I greet you Mhamha. I also thank God for making it possible for you to come here and visit people like us. I don’t know how best to thank you because my heart is filled with joy because of the project you have made us start so that we can send our children to school and put food on the table.
“I am not married, but I have three children. I was impregnated by men who say if you want money come to my house. I am so grateful that I no longer go to the buses to beg. Men won’t abuse me from today.
“I am so pained by what people made me do to get money. I am pained but I am gratified. What you have done for me, don’t do it for me alone, but others who are like us. This project will be a success,” she said.
Mr Musanhu also sang praises to the First Lady for empowering them.
“What you have done is unprecedented. You have done a great thing for us. You have shown that you are everyone’s mother. You carry everyone on your back, you are a mother of the nation.
“I thank you heartily for what you have done. Sometimes our children would leave for school on empty tummies because when we go out to beg, we sometimes fail to realise even anything. You gave us food and clothing on Thursday and our families are happy. You will never see my leg in the streets again because you have uplifted us,” he said.
The First Lady addressed the people who had gathered along the street in solidarity with the beneficiaries where she expressed gratitude for the warm reception she received.
“I am happy you received me well here. I have come here because of my children. Please assist them each time you pass and see how they are. I shall continue coming and I say please as women let us assist one another through thick and thin.
“Look at children, they are being raped, mothers let us look after our girl child. Our children are taking drugs, they need our guidance so that they follow the correct path,” she said.
Mrs Sterrie Chabuka, a councillor for ward 30, thanked the First Lady for her visit.
“We never thought one day our mother would come here and when I heard she was here I was shaken because this kind of humility and love is unprecedented.
“She is a loving mother who is not selective. Today she has remembered her children. Our mother came from high up there in remembrance of these children, something we are failing to do.
“Our mother has humbled herself to enter the house where these children live and we thank her very much. May she continue with her loving heart.
“We are seeing all the good things that she is doing countrywide. Our First Lady is doing great work in the country and as women we should emulate her,” she said.
Gogo Bote, who resides in the same area, said: “We were surprised to see the First Lady visiting our area, she humbled herself and came to be with us.
“We are so thankful because we never thought Amai would visit this community, but through her love and knowledge of looking after her children, she neither looks at whether one is young or old or social standing, but respects everyone and treats us all equally.”
Ms Winie Amidu was also at a loss for words because of the First Lady’s visit and love.
“I am thankful for her love and giving these families broiler chicks and feed to start a project. They were really struggling to make ends meet, but Amai has come to their rescue.
“Our mother has everyone on her mind, including single women like us, she always remembers us and initiating projects for us. I thank her for her love and zeal to see ordinary people succeed,” she said.
Online Reporter