Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
TOUCHED by the plight of orphans and vulnerable children who normally go to school barefooted an 11-year-old philanthropist, model, brand ambassador and entrepreneur, Yamikani Shammah Marasha, has sourced some brand new school shoes and socks which she donated to remote schools.
She donated 45 pairs of shoes at Shamva Primary School.
She hopes to donate another 45 pairs of shoes at schools in Mudzi.
She sources the shoes under an initiative dubbed: ‘The 100 Pairs for 100 Smiles’ campaign.
Yamikani also holds the Little Miss Zimbabwe People’s Choice title and is in Grade 7 at Chivaraidze Primary School, Umwisdale, in Harare.
“I launched the 100 pairs for 100 smiles initiative under The Yamikani Runaway of Hope Foundation after I recognised that several children, especially in rural schools, are going to school barefooted.This affects the level of concentration in schools.
“I remember one day when I was walking in Mudzi with my parents my heart ached after seeing children without shoes, not even the slippers, to cover their feet and I believe that there is power in giving than receiving.”
The school development committees that selects the deserving ones.
Mr Anderson Johane, the SDC Chairperson for Shamva Primary, said he had been humbled by this generosity from young people who have the beautiful brains oto reach out to their counterparts who are facing challenges in life.
Mrs Bernadette Makotore, the Acting Deputy Head of the school, said:
“Our ground is stony due to mining activities that are around us and we have over 50 orphans and vulnerable hence this support will go a long way in reducing their vulnerability.
“Children without shoes might be bullied and sidelined by their peers and they end up losing self-esteem resulting to poor grades in school.
“In this case, we can safely say Yamikani has covered a huge gap,” she said.
Councillor for Shamva South Constituency, Mr Jealous Nyakurerwa, said he hopes to see several similar initiatives.
“We are grateful that this assistance came timeously while several children are bracing this cold, walking barefooted and resulting in sore cracks in their feet.
“We want to ensure that such initiatives reach to all children across the country,” he said.
Yamikani is a young and talented model who has made a name for herself as the Little Miss Zimbabwe People’s Choice and Brand Ambassador.
She began her modelling journey at the tender age of five, fuelled by her passion for pictures and creative expression.
She is a model for several prominent brands in Zimbabwe, including Edgars, Kids and Co and Queen’s Park Apparel.
She is the first born in a family of four children and her parents, Farai and Sarah Marasha, give her maximum support.
Her mother Sarah is a former student at Shamva Primary School.
“I started learning at Shamva Primary School in 1996.
“Yamikani’s vision is to ensure that every child has a pair of shoes, recognising that it’s not just about the physical item, but about the confidence and hope it brings.”
Her future plans include continuing the “100 Pairs for 100 Smiles” campaign, encouraging others to share meals through the “Feed One, Share One” initiative, providing sanitary wear to girl children in need, using her modelling platform to boost confidence and showcase talent, especially in remote areas, and to grow her business so that she can be able to provide more for the needy.
Mathew Masinge