dyton mupawaenda
Mwandibhuya Kennedy Mutepfa in CALGARY, Alberta
THERE was a lot of sadza and there was a lot of nyama.
And, this was in Calgary, Alberta, in Canada— an estimated 15,200km away from Harare. Well, this was for a truly Zimbabwean cause and, on such occasions, it’s probably right that the country’s staple food is part of the diet.
Last Saturday, something truly special happened here in Calgary, Alberta.
Members of Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital (FOKMH), in partnership with the Association of Zimbabweans in Calgary (AZC), hosted Dr Paul Thistle, Medical Director of Karanda Mission Hospital, at a community BBQ fundraising event in a local public park.
More than 100 people attended the event, making it one of the largest Zimbabwean community gatherings in Calgary dedicated specifically to supporting a humanitarian cause back home.
While Zimbabweans in the Diaspora regularly come together for weddings, church services, family celebrations, and other private occasions, this event demonstrated that our community is equally willing to unite around a common purpose—improving healthcare for fellow Zimbabweans.
The turnout was not just encouraging in terms of numbers; it reflected the compassion, generosity, and deep connection that Zimbabweans abroad continue to have with their homeland.
It was inspiring to witness families, friends, young people, and community leaders gathering to learn more about the life-saving work taking place at Karanda Mission Hospital and to explore practical ways of supporting patients and healthcare services in Zimbabwe.
The excitement surrounding Dr Thistle’s visit was remarkable.
Many participants welcomed the rare opportunity to meet him personally, hear first-hand about the hospital’s achievements and challenges, and better understand how Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital is mobilising support to strengthen healthcare delivery.
His presentation highlighted the tremendous impact that community partnerships and donor support continue to have on improving access to quality medical care, particularly for vulnerable patients.The event also carried special significance with the presence of Dr James Watt, former Medical Director and missionary at Howard Mission Hospital in Chiweshe.
Dr Watt is also one of the Co-Founders of Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital and attended together with members of his family.
Their presence served as a reminder of the long-standing partnership between mission hospitals and communities committed to improving healthcare across Zimbabwe.
Also in attendance were Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital Trustees, Dr John Mutikani and Pastor Luke Haisa.
The Calgary FOKMH Board was well represented by Rutendo Maereka, Tawanda Nyamukondiwa, Reverend Tazvionepi Nyarota, Lindiwe Nyamukondiwa and Zanele Olujonwo.
Their commitment and weeks of preparations contributed significantly to the success of the event.
Another encouraging aspect of the gathering was the strong representation from Zimbabwean churches across Calgary.
Among those present were Pastor Munashe Kwaira (ZAOGA Forward in Faith), Pastor and Amai Majeye (AFM), Rev Nyarota (United Methodist Church), who also serves as a Board Member of Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital.
Their participation reinforced an important message that the Church remains one of the strongest institutions for bringing Zimbabweans together in the Diaspora.
Beyond providing spiritual support, churches continue to play a vital role in fostering unity, encouraging volunteerism, and mobilising resources to assist vulnerable communities back home.
It demonstrated that our collective desire to support relatives, friends, and communities back home remains as strong as ever.
This gathering has laid the foundation for what we hope will become an annual community fundraising tradition—one that not only raises essential resources for Karanda Mission Hospital but also strengthens relationships within the Zimbabwean diaspora.
Together, we demonstrated that distance is no barrier to compassion.
Mwandibhuya Kennedy Mutepfa is the co-founder and executive president of the Friends of Karanda Mission Hospital (FOKMH)
derick.khumalo