First Lady donates wheelchair, blankets, groceries to disabled child
Tendai Rupapa
A couple from Mufakose suburb in Harare with an eight-year-old child who has cerebral palsy, has its reasons to praise the Lord after First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, a philanthropist par-excellence, came to their rescue.
Yesterday, the couple was at a loss for words after Dr Mnangagwa, who also is the Angel of Hope Foundation’s patron, gave the child a wheelchair, blankets, and an assortment of groceries.
The couple, Mr Bernard Mafuka (52) and Mrs Euphrasia Mafuka (37), shed tears of joy after Amai Mnangagwa fulfilled their wish and gave their child a wheelchair for easy mobility a few days after they had appealed for help through the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Dr Mnangagwa gave the family food items that included rice, maize-meal, cooking oil, salt and sugar, for the child.
The gifts underscored Dr Mnangagwa’s boundless love and quest to ease the plight of those in need.
The child’s father could not hide his joy.
“I am grateful for what the First Lady, our mother, has done for us. She heard our plight with a child who cannot walk and the lack of a wheelchair.
“His mother had no one to look after the child while performing other duties and always strapped him on her back.
“However, thanks to the First Lady’s benevolence, my wife can now work achiita mabasa ake emaoko.
“I am truly grateful to Amai. Her love is deeper than the ocean. She goes everywhere around the country helping those with disabilities, the elderly, the sick, widows, widowers, and among many other vulnerable groups. Her love is unmatched. We are forever grateful as a family,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the child’s mother, who said she was grounded with the child who cannot walk, sit or eat alone.
“I want to thank the mother of the nation for what she has done for me and my family.
“Our child has cerebral palsy and he cannot walk or see properly.
“He can’t sit alone and even eat on his own. I went to the ZBC seeking help and our mother saw us and pasina nguva, Amai came to our rescue.
“Minamato yedu yakadairwa. She gave us a wheelchair and now I can work.
“I also thank Amai for the provisions that she gave us. I also want to thank her for remembering all those in need. The child wets himself and we did not have enough blankets.
“It’s even worse this rainy season when the blankets take a long time to dry.
“The blankets from the First Lady will assist us in a big way,” she said, with happiness written all over her face.
The couple’s neighbours were awestruck by the First Lady’s love and kindness.
One of the neighbours, who chose not to be named, expressed gratitude to the First Lady.
“At times I would remain behind with the child while his mother was out selling wares.
“Previously she would carry him on her back, but the child has grown, making this difficult.
“The child cannot sit and has special needs which require the mother to be close by at all times.
“Now that the child has a wheelchair, she can now do her work as the child is in the wheelchair.
“The child can also now play with others,” she said.
Gogo Shorai Maungi said the First Lady was doing great things for the nation.
“I am touched by what the First Lady has done. The child’s mother was failing to do anything to raise income because of the child’s condition.
“This show of love is unparalleled,” she said, as she went about her domestic chores.
The views dovetailed with those of Sekuru Conrad Musanyera.
“Our First Lady is so loving and not selective. She helps everyone in need despite where they are and their background.
“She is teaching us to show love to those in need at all times and for that, I am very grateful. We are learning a lot from the mother of the nation,” he said.
Dr Mnangagwa, who has a passion for the welfare of women and children among many other vulnerable groups, traverses the length and breadth of the country assisting those in need and sowing the seeds of love in communities. – Herald