adminStephen Ephraem
A LIFELINE has been thrown for children with physical disabilities in Zimbabwe following the founding of a non-profit making organisation that has disabled children at heart.
Established in January this year as a brainchild of 74-year-old philanthropist, Mrs Donette Kruger and run by seven trustees; two male and five female, Marigold Children Zimbabwe (MARCH) caters for the welfare of children with special needs regardless of their background, gender, colour, socio-economic status, race and religion.
On visiting MARCH’s provisional premises at Mkwanise in Chiredzi, this paper proved beyond doubt that the organisation has a great vision.
MARCH general manager, Mr Gashia Machipi, said their programme had been well received in Chiredzi.
Said Mr Machipi: “Membership is open to all the parents and guardians of disabled children in Zimbabwe.
“The first phase of registration of disabled children has been overwhelming.
“More than 700 children got registered in a short space of time, yet we haven’t covered all the eight urban and 24 rural wards. Other districts shall start registering very soon.”
On what motivated them to establish the organisation, Mr Machipi said: “We are complimenting Government’s efforts. Government has been doing a lot of welfare work through its arms like Department of Social Welfare, urban and rural district councils as well as Civil Protection Unit.
“We found out that most people in society are not comfortable to be around disabled people. They pay less attention to the plight of disabled children, that is what we wish to address.”
On how they shall achieve their mission, Mr Machipi indicated that they were in the process of opening a disability centre in Chiredzi.
“We are availing a disability centre in Chiredzi which shall encompass a disability school and a disability hospital. We are in the process of mobilising resources for that cause,” concluded Mr Machipi.
To help boost MARCH funding, a Kariba house boat cruise raffle shall be held by a Chiredzi-based community development organisation, Gaza Trust at the fourth edition of The Great Limpopo Cultural Fair which shall be officially opened by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko in Chiredzi in July this year.
Fifty percent of the proceeds will go towards Marigold Children Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter