Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
CHRISTMAS came early this year for about 120 disadvantaged families, including the elderly and people with disabilities, after they received an assortment of goods from Thandi Foundation.
The recently formed foundation donated to the people of Dhenya Village under Chief Chivero, Mhondoro-Mubaira, in Chegutu District.
The villagers received sugar, cooking oil, flour, mealie-meal, kapenta, chunks, bath and washing soap.
A brainchild of United States-based Ms Thandiwe Chidawa, the donation was a timely relief for the recipients.
“This organisation is not only going to be in Mhondoro, but God willing, we should be touching more lives across the country and beyond,” said Ms Chidawa.
“Losing a father at a young age and being raised by my mother under very difficult circumstances has contributed to me wanting to help others in any way possible.”
Having been a teacher in the area and in Chinhoyi before moving to the USA, Ms Chidawa said she wants to give back to the community through identifying those vulnerable in the community.
Ms Chidawa plans to convert her vast property in Harare’s Borrowdale suburb into a free drug and substance abuse centre for the rehabilitation of those hooked on drugs.
Mhondoro-Mubaira Ward 9 councillor, Itayi Bonde, hailed development partners and the foundation for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people in the community.
“As implementers of development in the community, we welcome people who remember where they came from and bring resources to uplift those they left behind,” he said.
Beneficiaries could not hold back tears, saying the donation had come at a time when they were struggling to put food on the table.
Headman Dhenya welcomed the donation, saying vulnerable members of his community had found relief.
“This development in my area is an act of great humility and thought of those vulnerable members of our community. Some people cannot fend for themselves owing to different kinds of disabilities, while others are now elderly,” said headman Dhenya.
