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RADIO Zimbabwe presenter, Rutendo Makuti, says her heart bleeds for less privileged children.
Better known as Mother Rue, the DJ said she will go out of her way to assist the needy.
On January 29 and 30, she held an 18-hour non-stop shift in a bid to raise US$17 000 for an 11-year-old girl, Zvikomborero Mudimu, who required surgery for a brain tumour.
She met her target last Friday and Zvikomborero from Damofalls was operated on Monday at a local hospital.
“We managed to raise the money that was required after my campaign, which I held from the 29th of January to the 30th. It was an 18-hour campaign, which I held to ensure that we save the life of the young girl.
“Zvikomborero clearly deserves to heal and we were doing it with the blessings of her family,” she said.
Mother Rue, who has done similar campaigns in the past, said Zvikomborero’s plight touched her heart when the family appealed for help through her programme, Ruoko Runopa.
“Every week, we make sure that we help someone in need through our programme Ruoko Runopa.
“The programme has become popular with our listeners who have been referring new people every week. For Zvikomborero, it was easy since many people came on board, including doctors,” she said.
Mother Rue said radio remains a powerful medium of communication with a wider reach. “I have now realised the power of broadcasting and for a moment, I was really touched by the feedback that we got. The people of Zimbabwe are unique in that they care for each other.
“There are also some powerful people who contributed to this campaign and I can only say ‘thank you’ to the Lord for what he has done in my initiative to help the poor,” she said.
The affable presenter, who runs Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust, said her passion for charity work started at a tender age.
“When I was young, I would cry when I met a poor child with some disability or rare condition. I would plead with my parents to assist me to give to poor friends of mine in the neighbourhood. I’m now realising the power of sharing since I am now changing other people’s lives. However, we still operate from home and I would be glad if I got a bigger space.”
Besides raising funds for Zvikomborero, she also held similar campaigns for three other children with the same consition in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
As part of her new year’s resolutions, Mother Rue has pledged to visit more orphanages in the country and create some synergies with other philanthropists countrywide.
Online Reporter