Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
GWERU women turned a glamorous High Tea into a lifeline for vulnerable families, donating clothes, groceries, sanitary wear and more than US$4 700 in cash towards the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.
The charity event, hosted by Gweru City Mayoress Mrs Memory Chivhoko, brought together scores of women from different social and professional backgrounds under the theme “Shine, glow, serve – save a life.”
Mrs Chivhoko urged women to use their influence, resources and generosity to restore hope and dignity to people facing hardship.
“Today, we are not just gathering for a High Tea; we are gathering as a united force for good,” she said.
She said the theme was a three-part call for women to recognise their worth, give generously and serve others.
“Today, we are asking you to open your hearts and your handbags for a noble cause. The items you have brought today, the packs of sanitary wear, the groceries from your pantries, and the clothes from your children’s wardrobes, are the fuel for this glow,” she said.
“These are not just items; they are vessels of hope. They show that we care for the vulnerable, the young girl who misses school because she cannot afford sanitary wear, and the family that goes to bed hungry.”
Mrs Chivhoko said even small acts of generosity could have a profound impact on vulnerable children and women.
“When you donated to this cause, when you picked up that extra packet of sanitary wear or that bundle of clothing, you did not just perform a good deed; you intervened in someone’s story,” she said.
“You might have saved a young girl from humiliation. You might have saved a child from malnutrition. You might have saved a life. There is no greater service than that.”
Guest of honour, River Valley Group chief executive officer Professor Smelly Dube, challenged communities, businesses and individuals to take greater responsibility for supporting vulnerable families instead of leaving the task to Government and charities.
“We are here to engage in practical, life-changing charity. The call to bring sanitary wear, pantry items, and children’s clothing is a call to action that addresses the fundamental needs of our community,” she said.
“There are families whose pantries are empty and children who lack proper clothing.”
Dr Dube said the real measure of the event should be the lasting impact of the assistance provided to vulnerable families.
“As we enjoy the delightful treats and the elegant ambience, let us remember that the true measure of this event’s success is not in the funds raised or the items collected today alone, but in the lasting impact it leaves on our community,” she said.
Through their S & M Hand of Compassion Foundation, Prof Dube and her husband, Engineer Mncedisi Dube, donated sanitary pads and other basic essentials worth more than US$2 000.
The High Tea forms part of wider fundraising activities by the Mayoress’s office to mobilise resources for community-based charity programmes in Gweru.
The event also doubled as a networking and mentorship platform, bringing together women from different backgrounds to share experiences and encourage one another in their personal and professional journeys.
Gweru City Council spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee described the inaugural event as a success, saying participants donated clothes, shoes, groceries and more than US$4 700 in cash.
