Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
Children admitted to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital received 550 blankets donated by Daughters of Virtue Ministries leader Prophetess Memory Matimbire, who celebrated her 43rd birthday on Sunday by giving to the sick instead of being celebrated.
The blankets were handed over at the hospital’s children’s department as part of Matimbire’s six-year tradition of turning her birthday into an occasion to give back to communities in need.
The donation was made through the ministry’s Arms of Love department, which has carried out various charitable projects since 2019.
The department has previously extended support to communities in Marondamashanu in Chivhu, Chikurubi Prison, Epworth, Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
Prophetess Matimbire said the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital donation continued a tradition she started in 2019 of marking each birthday by reaching out to a different community in need.
“This is not our first time doing this, but by the grace of God, it is now our yearly tradition. On all my birthdays since 2019, various locations and various lives have been transformed and changed through these donations,” she said.
“We have been to Marondamashanu in Chivhu, we have been to Chikurubi Prison, we have been to Epworth, we have been to Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo, just to mention a few, and we have also been to Chitungwiza Central Hospital.”
She said the donations were rooted in her ministry’s Arms of Love mandate, which she described as putting the Christian call to charity into practice.
“Our mandate is simple: to extend the love of Christ to those in need. We believe that love must be seen in action,” she said.
“As the Bible says in Proverbs 19 verse 17, whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
Turning to the significance of the gift itself, Prophetess Matimbire said the blankets were meant to offer more than physical warmth to the young patients.
“We bring blankets for the paediatric hospital not because it is a lot, but because we know a child needs warmth to heal. A blanket is not just a cloth, it is comfort, it is love, and it is our prayer for quick recovery for every child who uses it,” she said.
“To all our hardworking nurses and doctors, we appreciate your sacrifice. You are doing the great work of God.”
Daughters of Virtue Resource Director Evangelist Shepherd Matimbire said the ministry’s founder had, over the years, made it a personal conviction to seek out a needy community during each of her birthdays.
“As our mother has taught us, a candle loses nothing in lighting another candle. It has become a tradition that on the occasion of her birthday, she looks for a place or a community with a need, and she strives to address that need,” he said.
He also highlighted more on Prophetess Matimbire’s generous work.
“She paid school fees for more than 100 students at Marondamashanu Primary and Secondary School until they finished their studies,” he said.
“In Epworth, we donated to the local community, and in Chitungwiza Hospital, we donated sheets. Last year we were in Matabeleland, at Ingutsheni Hospital, where she also made donations of groceries.”
He said the ministry viewed the outreach as an extension of worship rather than a once-off act of charity.
“She has taught us that worship has to reach beyond the pulpit. It has to flow into the communities. In any area that is in need, she extends her hand,” he said.
“We also have to show the compassion that Christ has shown us. We also have to extend it to those in need.”
Evangelist Matimbire said the ministry, which has a footprint across 23 countries, settled on the hospital’s children’s ward this year after establishing where the need was greatest.
“As Daughters of Virtue, we are in each and every town and city in Zimbabwe, and we are spread across 23 nations of the world. Every Wednesday and Saturday we gather for prayer,” he said.
“Today, at the paediatric department at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, a total of 550 blankets were donated, specifically for the children’s wards.
“This year, the woman of God directed us to come here, to the children’s department, to see which area we could assist.”
Matron in Charge of Children Sister Rusiya Jongwe said the donation came to a hospital carrying a heavy patient load, much of it from low-income communities around the capital.
“Our hospital is busy. It is a 242-bed hospital, and we receive most of our patients from greater Harare, a poor side,” she said.
“We have a lot of patients who are sick, but the problem is that most of them are disadvantaged.
“We have an ICU and a beds unit — the beds unit is one of the busiest ones. We also have a research ward, which is very busy because we get transfers from other areas because of our speciality.”
She said the hospital had been battling a shortage of blankets and linen, with existing stock wearing out faster than it could be replaced.
“We have gaps in terms of blankets, and in terms of sheets and linen. The sheets sometimes get overwashed, and they tear apart quickly,” she said.
“The challenge is that we also need resources. It is full throughout the year and normally in winter we would expect it, but we find it is almost throughout the year that we need to manage overflow into other wards.”
Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Public Relations Officer Isabel Moyo said she only learnt of the planned donation after the ministry approached her directly.
“They got in touch with me and said they wanted to do something. It was on her birthday — that is when I learnt about it,” she said.
“They said it is part of their culture, that they always do this donation on her birthday.”
She said she was struck by the unusual gesture of someone choosing to give to others on their own birthday, rather than receive.
“It was something new to me. Usually on a birthday, people receive, they do not give. It shows the multitude and the abundance of her giving heart,” she said.
“I am very honoured and very thankful for this gift. It shows the warmth, it shows that we are being thought about.”
She formally accepted the donation on behalf of hospital management.
“As the Matron mentioned, we try to make ends meet, so such a gesture means a lot to us,” she said.
“On behalf of the chief medical officer, all directors and hospital management, I would like to say thank you, Mama, and we accept your gift.”
Sekai Manyere
Herald Reporter
Another Chance, in partnership with the Institute of Administration and Commerce (IAC), has donated drums, trees, bathing towels and soap to inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Speaking at the event, Another Chance founder Vickie Maponga Mlilo said that God is omnipresent.
“There is no place where God cannot reach, whether you are in prison or you are outside,” she said.
Maponga Mlilo said she had donated the trees so inmates could plant them and eat fruit in the future.
“Let these trees be a sign of your life whenever you wake up in the morning and see these trees,” she said.
“Let these trees be a symbol of your life as you water them; let them be a sign of God in your life. As these trees grow, build a good relationship with your God.”
She said if the inmates can take care of the trees and nurture them, God can also nurture their lives.
“Sometimes I talk a lot about mental health, which is more important than anything else you may think of, and when you think God cannot rescue you from your situation, that is when He shows you his power,” she said.
She told the inmates that she was there to show them that God still has a purpose for them and their lives.
“I am not here to support the wrong things that you have done, but I am here to show that through our visit God still has purpose for you,” she said.
She urged the inmates not to lose hope while living behind bars because God still loves them.
“People who are outside may find it difficult to forgive you but God will always forgive you,” she said.
Ms Maponga Mlilo said no one knows about tomorrow except God.
“We do not know about tomorrow, but only God can know about the future, she said.
“I am not here because of the paper bags but to encourage you to have good relationship with God. Seek God first with all your heart and allow Him to take control of your life,” she said.
She quoted Isaiah 43 verse 19, ” Look, I am doing a new thing,” she said, adding that there is a time when God does not look at the past.
“Sometimes the new things come after you as an individual change the inner person that is in you,” she said.
“Don’t lose hope because you are behind bars and there is a reason why you are still here. God is still writing about your life. Never lose hope.”
Meanwhile, IAC marketing and public relations manager Mr Samson Nhubu said inmates should not allow prison to define them.
“You may be in jail, but the jail is not in you. It is important that, while we are here, we prepare our lives through learning. That’s why we are here. If you want any help we are here to help you as the Institute of Administration and Commerce,” he said.
He said inmates should help each other in terms of education.
“Let’s help each other in terms of education. We are not here to stay, so while we are here let’s prepare ourselves for life after we are released,” he said.
One of the inmates, Mr Dzingirai Chinyamujiko, said they were grateful for the visit and donations.
“We are grateful for the visit and donations that have been brought before us,” he said.
“It is important to know that there are people who are still remembering us no matter the crimes that we have committed, because only a few people can do that.”
