malvernmugadzikwa
Theseus Shambare
Mrs Lorraine Mvurahungonwa’s heart is shattered.
“My son, my precious gift,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, as she gazed upon her wheelchair-bound child, Blessed.
“Why?” she questioned the cruel fate that had befallen her innocent child.
The weight of the world bore down on her, a heavy burden to carry.
Stigma, like a dark cloud, enveloped her, casting judgmental eyes upon her.
Yet, the 46-year-old from Epworth refused to succumb.
“I told myself that I will not let my son down,” she vowed, her voice filled with unwavering determination.
As if it was not enough, in 2016, her husband, a hardworking cycle repairman, was involved in a serious accident that left him with a broken leg.
To add to their woes, in 2019, he was attacked by robbers, leaving him with severe head injuries that have significantly impacted his ability to work.
Her only pillar of strength became a mere shadow of himself.
The burden of caring for Blessed fell solely on Mrs Mvurahungonwa’s shoulders.
Amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope appeared.
Zimbabwe Parents of Handicaped Children Association (ZPHCA) extended a helping hand.
They equipped Mrs Mvurahungonwa with the knowledge and skills to take care of Blessed.
“They taught me how to stimulate his senses, how to help him develop his motor skills and how to provide him with the love and attention he deserves,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
The Kuwirirana Stimulation Centre, situated at Domboramwari Shopping Centre, became a sanctuary for Blessed.
As Mrs Mvurahungonwa watched her son engage in therapy sessions, a smile always brightened her face.
“To see Blessed smile, to hear his laughter fills my soul with a happiness I never thought was possible,” she said, tears of joy streaming down her face.
But MrsMvurahungonwa’s story is not peculiar.
Through ZPHCA’s initiative, thousands of families with children with extreme disabilities have benefited.
It is part of a programme being implemented by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare with support from UNICEF’s Child Protection Fund III and is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
It seeks to strengthen caregivers’ capacity to advocate for free access to disability-specialised services.
For the past 12 months, the initiative has managed to reach 800 children in Epworth, Mutasa, Beitbridge and Zvishavane.
This also saw the formation of school-based stimulation classes whereby teachers and helpers are assigned to a certain number of children to ensure that no child is left behind.
In an interview during a media tour in Epworth on Tuesday, Mr Kudzai Garanewako, a project field officer for ZPHCA said stimulation centres are a necessity.
“The stimulation class is designed for children who have traditionally been excluded from formal education. It focuses on early childhood development through play-based learning and other engaging activities,” he said.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter