Breakfast programme launched in Gwanda

RESIDENTS at Gwanda Old People’s Home in Matabeleland South Province were yesterday treated to sumptuous breakfast and an assortment of goodies, thanks to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and her Angel of Hope Foundation’s efforts to ease the plight of the elderly.

The breakfast initiative was born out of an arrangement between Angel of Hope Foundation and Blue Star Logistics, and yesterday’s occasion was the launch edition marking the beginning of the breakfast feeding programme in homes which will cascade to all provinces.

Inspired by the philanthropic works of the First Lady, Blue Star Logistics came on board recently to give a helping hand to the mother of the nation for the benefit of vulnerable groups.

Death, childlessness, family feuds and the collapse of the extended family unit often result in the elderly wallowing in poverty and loneliness.

The First Lady is the country’s health ambassador and she works hard to ensure the welfare, health and nutritional needs of all citizens are met.

It was a princely occasion where the elderly were served hot breakfast personally prepared by the First Lady who also served the guests.

The breakfast comprised toasted bread, boiled eggs, fried eggs, baked beans, jam and margarine. Tables and chairs were well decorated to give the event a touch of royalty.

One of the residents, Gogo Violet Sibanda (78) shed tears of joy as she recounted her experience of meeting and breaking bread with the mother of the nation.

“I came here because I had no one to stay with at my rural homestead. I lived alone in Sibona Village in Gwanda. I came last year after all my children passed on because of HIV and Aids. I had two daughters and a son.

“One of my daughters left behind two children and they were taken by their father to his rural home and up to now they have never followed up on me. I had no one to give me food or fetch water for me.”