First Lady launches charity foundation

FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is today expected to officially launch her charity foundation, Angel of Hope Foundation, which will cater for the welfare and empowerment of women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At least 4 000 children and 500 dignitaries are expected to attend the launch at a local hotel.

The foundation’s chairperson Mrs Chipo Mtasa said in a statement that Angel of Hope Foundation was a vehicle through which the First Lady would be running and implementing her development and charitable programmes.

Mrs Mtasa said they were expecting Government officials, business and industry leaders, the diplomatic community, civic organisations and the clergy to attend the launch.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of the Angel of Hope Foundation tomorrow (today) February 17, 2018 in Harare,” she said. “The Foundation will focus on programmes that address the welfare and empowerment of women and

children with particular focus on those from underprivileged backgrounds.

“The foundation will also focus

on access to health, combating diseases, as well as sustainability issues in line with Sustainable Development Goals on ending poverty and

inequality.

The First Lady is humbled by this opportunity and views this as a prospect to serve and highlight

the plight of orphaned children, advocate for and support child victims of sexual abuse and early marriages, advocate and support

victims of gender based violence, support sustainable livelihoods for women in difficult circumstances and generally build respect, hope, peace and love as core values for Zimbabwean communities.”

Mrs Mtasa said the launch will be an opportunity for the First Lady to announce the structure that had been put in place to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance. She said the structure would support the programmes’ design, implementation, monitoring and fund raising.

“These are development areas that the First Lady is passionate about even though her broader dream is to be able to influence every Zimbabwean to attain their full potential in a conducive and safe environment,” said Mrs Mtasa.

“Tomorrow’s launch has, therefore, been designed to assert this vision through providing a platform for the First Lady to interact and spend the day with marginalised children, while bringing together decision-makers and potential partners.”

The launch comes after the First Lady’s nationwide tour visiting children’s homes, hospitals and prisons where she donated goods worth thousands of dollars.