Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
AT a time when children with disabilities face daily challenges in accessing rehabilitation, education and inclusive opportunities, St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre has reaffirmed its commitment to improving infrastructure and care to ensure every child receives the support they deserve.
Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, wife to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, urged all sectors of society to rally behind institutions supporting children with disabilities, adding that only through united efforts can an inclusive nation that truly leaves no child behind be built.
She made the remarks at a stakeholder appreciation and fundraising meeting held in Harare yesterday, where St Giles was seeking to raise funds for the refurbishment of its hostel and the purchase of essential items, including waterproof mattresses, customised bedside lockers and wheelchairs.
The fundraising initiative also aimed to support a scholarship fund for underprivileged children who require continuous therapy and education.
Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga commended St Giles for its enduring commitment to rehabilitating and empowering children living with disabilities, describing the institution as a sanctuary of hope, determination, and resilience.
Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga officiates at the St Giles medical rehabilitation centre Stakeholder Appreciation & Hostel Fundraising Breakfast Meeting in Harare today. -Pictures: Memory Mangombe
“When you walk through the corridors of St Giles, you see hope, determination, and resilience in action. Many of these children require lifelong therapy. Their conditions may not improve, but their need for care never diminishes,” she said.
Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga called on Zimbabweans to look beyond Government interventions and take personal responsibility in supporting children with special needs.
She also encouraged stakeholders to visit St Giles to witness firsthand the transformative work being done, noting that such experiences deepen compassion and inspire greater generosity.
“It is not enough to simply hear about what St Giles does. When you visit, you see for yourself the help that people are receiving. You become emotionally connected and inspired to contribute in your own special way,” she said.
“Institutions like St Giles provide immense value to our communities. Despite the challenges, we must ensure that we take care of our children.”
Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga added that she was deeply moved whenever she saw children with disabilities being nurtured alongside their peers, noting that inclusion fosters empathy and humanity.
“Let us rally behind the Government of Zimbabwe’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which remind us that development must be inclusive, non-discriminatory and must reach those who are most vulnerable first. This vision must also live in us as individuals, as corporates and as a community. My heart bleeds when I see children deprived of opportunities, especially children living with disabilities. Taking care of these children is our duty,” she said.
Col Baloyi-Chiwenga pledged to continue supporting St Giles’ efforts, reaffirming that caring for children with disabilities was a shared duty.
St Giles cares for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, and speech delays, with staff dedicating their time and energy to providing round-the-clock care.
The fundraising initiative aimed to raise about US$15 000 to refurbish the children’s hostel and purchase key items such as waterproof mattresses, customised bedside lockers, and educational scholarships.
In her remarks, St Giles Board member Ms Tariro Makanga said the fundraising breakfast was part of a broader effort to sustain the centre’s operations amid growing demand for rehabilitation and educational support services.
“Many people know St Giles as a place where those who have suffered accidents go for treatment, but we are much more than that. We also care for children with disabilities who require physiotherapy, wheelchairs, and various forms of therapy,” she said.
“For the better part, we are struggling in terms of financial resources. So as we gather to raise funds for our hostel refurbishment, our goal is to create a better, safer, and more comfortable space for children to rest, to learn, and to grow. Every dollar, every pledge, and every gesture of goodwill helps us to restore hope for the future of one child at that time.”
She noted that the institution continued to face resource constraints, particularly in providing assistive devices and educational support to children enrolled at its school.
“We have children with cerebral palsy and other conditions who attend our school, but many parents struggle to afford fees and transport. You can imagine a mother carrying her 10- or 11-year-old child on her back just to get them to school. Some of these children are very intelligent despite their disabilities, and they need resources that enable them to learn effectively,” she said.
The centre currently houses more than 150 students, many of whom depend on government grants that are often insufficient to cover their needs.
Ms Makanga also emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, reminding stakeholders that disability could affect anyone at any time.
“We always say each person in Zimbabwe is a candidate of St Giles. Anything can happen. So it is important that we all put our hand to ensure that the centre is operating at its maximum.”
