Winter boost for the disadvantaged

Rumbidzai Mushonga

Herald Correspondent

As the cold continues to bite across the country, a local company Richmark Zimbabwe, has come to the rescue of 60 children in Goromonzi District with a donation of blankets, food, heaters and solar lights.

The donation, which was handed over on Wednesday, benefited the Nhakayevana Community Organisation Centre and the Mhuriimwe One Family Fellowship.

Richmark’s managing director Mrs Diana Gao said it was important to help the disadvantaged, especially during this winter period.

“These children are the light of tomorrow and education is the key to brightening their future. I am going to pay the school fees for all the children at Nhakayevana,” said Mrs Gao.

Nhakayevana, a community-based organisation founded in 2006, provides support to orphans and other vulnerable children in the Goromonzi district. The centre presently cares for 38 children.

Nhakayevana chairman Kudakwashe Mudyiwa, said: “We believe in God and we believe that God gives so that we can give more. Our prayer is that Richmark and other donors will continue to support us so we can help even more children in need.”

Mrs Ruvimbo Takadii, an assistant at Nhakayevana, said they required more support in three major areas: clean water, school fees and health facilities.

“We have three main issues here. The first is school fees, the second is water and lastly health care facilities.

“However, all of that cannot be done by well-wishers and donors; we also need to do our projects here. We can do poultry projects and farming as we have a small piece of land.”

Another recipient was the Mhuriimwe One Family Fellowship, which also serves children from the community and beyond.

Mrs Isabel Kasimonje, an assistant at Mhuriimwe, said they work with the Department of Social Welfare.

“We work with (the Department of) Social Welfare and there are no children who stay here. We target mainly orphans, the vulnerable and those in need.

“The children come from the community, not only from here; some come as far as Domboshava. We help more than 20 children every day and they are in different categories. For instance, some are in need of fees and some are in need of food,” said Mrs Kasimonje

The donation is expected to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable children.