Two families seek funds to repatriate students

Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter

A BULAWAYO family is appealing for help to raise funds to repatriate the body of their daughter who died in Poland where she was studying, leaving behind a seven-month-old baby.

Single mother, Ms Ashly Gugu Ncube (23) who was studying towards a degree in Languages at Szkola Jezyka Poplskiego Together University, Polish Language School for foreigners in Warsaw  passed away on 6 August after a short illness. She left her baby that is  in the care of a pastor at Victory in Jesus, a church in Poland.

In a statement, the family of the young mother said: “Sadly, with this sudden tragedy and unforeseen circumstances, our family has been left with costly transportation and burial expenses.

We are currently asking for donations to help cover these costs, particularly sending Ashley’s body back to Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe so that we can properly honour her life.

“We have set up a Go Fund Me for Ashley, and we are aiming to raise money to take care of all the expenses towards her repatriation and funeral.

Above all your, assistance will help her loved ones not only to be able to have closure, but in sending Ashley’s daughter to her grandmother in Bulawayo where she will grow up surrounded with unconditional love.”

The Go Fund Me link is (https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-family-of-ashley-gugu-ncube).

One of the organisers of the campaign, Ms Simphiwe Moyo said: “We appreciate the donations and support and we are grateful to everyone who has helped with donations, sharing the campaign and checking on the baby’s welfare.

The baby is doing good, thank you again to Pastor Rose for her love, her kindness is overwhelming. We kindly ask that you continue to help us share the campaign as we still need a lot of support.

A total of 259 people have donated since the beginning of the campaign. Once again thank you for your generosity and kindness, we are grateful for your support.”

In a related incident, a young Zimbabwean man lost his life after drowning in sea in Cyprus and his family is also seeking for assistance to repatriate his body.

Lovejoy Zinyuke (24) had just completed his Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at the University of Lefke when he died on 4 August following the incident at Geminkona Lefke.

Due to this untimely tragedy, the family said they did not have enough money to repatriate his remains: “We are kindly asking for financial assistance to help the Zinyuke family lay their son in their own land.

No amount is too little, any amount is greatly appreciated.

Those willing to assist may contact (00263) 783 513 003.”