Online Reporter
Post Reporter
SIXTY children living with disabilities were left smiling last Sunday after receiving blankets and toiletries from philanthropist, Madzibaba Deminase (Mr Farai Majecha), of Johane Masowe eChishanu Church during a prayer for blessings at the church’s Pamagetsi shrine in Dangamvura.
In an interview, Madzibaba Deminase, said the donation formed part of the church’s outreach programme aimed at supporting vulnerable members of the society and promoting inclusion through practical acts of love.
He said the initiative will now become an annual programme.
Madzibaba Deminase said the outreach was inspired by the teachings of the church’s spiritual leader, Madzibaba Mozi Gwasarira, of Gwanzura in Harare, who continually encourages members to demonstrate love by helping those in needy.
He said the church deliberately chose to support children living with disabilities after recognising that many are often neglected and face numerous challenges within their communities.
“As a church, we have been taught that love must be demonstrated through our actions. We are spreading the gospel of love and giving because that is what our church leader, Madzibaba Mozi, has instilled in us. We realised that many people living with disabilities, especially children, are often overlooked because of their conditions. During winter, some of them do not have adequate blankets, yet they deserve the same care and dignity as everyone else, and that is why we made the donation,” said Madzibaba Deminase.
He said the donation reflected both the church’s values and the national development philosophy being championed by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
“We fully support His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 because it speaks to building an inclusive and prosperous Zimbabwe where every citizen has an opportunity to live a better life. The President’s guiding principle of leaving no one and no place behind resonates with our Christian values. As a church, we believe that no one should be excluded because of disability, poverty or any other circumstance.
“People living with disabilities did not choose to be born that way. God loves everyone equally, and we are called to love one another without discrimination. The donation is our way of complementing the Government’s vision by ensuring that vulnerable children also feel loved, valued and included. If every church and every community embraces this spirit of compassion, together we can build the Zimbabwe we all aspire to see under Vision 2030,” he said.
ZANU PF Mutare District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson, Cde Tarwireyi Mabika, who was also present at the event, commended the church for remembering disadvantaged children and supporting the Government efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable communities.
He described the donation as a practical demonstration of unity and compassion that complements the developmental agenda being spearheaded by the Second Republic.
“We applaud Madzibaba Deminase for this noble initiative. The church has shown that development is, not only about constructing roads or buildings, but also about uplifting the lives of vulnerable people within our communities. By remembering children living with disabilities, they have demonstrated true compassion and patriotism,” said Cde Mabika.
He said the church’s intervention was in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
“His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently called upon all sectors of society to ensure that no one and no place is left behind. Today’s donation is a practical example of that vision being implemented at community level,” he said.
Mrs Lince Matimba, of Dora communal lands, whose child benefited from the donation, expressed gratitude to the church, saying families raising children with disabilities often face stigma and isolation within their communities.
She said the blankets and toiletries will ease some of the financial burden that parents of children living with disabilities face.
“The blankets and toiletries will make a real difference, especially during this cold season. We are grateful for the assistance, but we also appeal to organisations and well-wishers to help us with income-generating projects. If parents are economically empowered, we will be in a better position to consistently provide for our children’s needs instead of relying on occasional donations,” she said.
Another beneficiary’s mother, Mrs Stembiso Rwatirera, echoed similar sentiments, saying raising a child with a disability requires continuous financial support.
“Parents of children living with disabilities encounter many challenges that most people do not see. Apart from facing stigma, we also have additional expenses for healthcare, transport and everyday care. Gestures like today’s donation bring relief and remind us that we are not alone in this journey,” she said.
The mothers appealed for sustainable empowerment initiatives targeting parents of children living with disabilities.
