First Lady takes generosity to Mbire
THE Chidodo community situated at Zimbabwe’s north-eastern border with Mozambique in Mbire is a place where remoteness and distance from cities come with extra problems for its people.
Here is where nature’s problems, chiefly droughts, unbearable heat, malaria and child marriages, confront the community every day.
Villagers of this community never thought their invitation for First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa to visit them would be honoured.
The villagers got a pleasant surprise yesterday when the First Lady owned up, becoming the first spouse of a sitting Head of State to visit the area since Independence in 1980.
Chief Makombe Kaseza of Msengezi in Mozambique, his headman, councillors and people from his jurisdiction, also crossed the border and were among the people who gave the First Lady a memorable welcome in Chidodo. The people sang, danced, ululated and whistled in appreciation of the mother of the nation.
As Health Ambassador, Amai Mnangagwa brought a team of health experts and accorded the community free cancer screening services and health checks as part of her mission to ensure no one is left behind in accessing essential services.
Other services provided included dental services, Covid-19 testing, HIV testing and counselling and hypertension checks, among other checks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Regular health checks allow for the early detection of ailments and timeous placement of people on treatment to save lives.
The First Lady held an interactive session with the community as part of her ongoing efforts to stem child marriages, drug and alcohol abuse, poor dressing and general lack of morals among youths. She also encouraged parents to have time with their children as a sign of love needed to curb mischief.
Community leader, Mrs Siyanai Pokoti who is Sabhuku Nyakatonje, said what the First Lady had done was rare in their community.
“I am grateful for what Amai, the First Lady has done coming here to Mbire District to see all her children and hear their concerns. She is a mother who listens and quickly takes action and assist where she can,” said Mrs Pokoti.
“By coming here in this heat, shows how much Amai cares for all her children. Havatarise kuti mwana avadana arikure sei kwese vanosvika, which is a sign of love and care. She has uplifted our community as we never thought this day would come. We are all leaving this venue with smiles, what else can we ask for when we have a mother who has all her children at heart.
“As women, we were all screened for cervical and breast cancer and got tested and checked for other ailments. This was made possible by our mother’s visit. Since 1980 up to today, this is the first time such is happening in our community,” she said shedding tears of joy.
A responsible mother always carries goodies for her children, and yesterday, the First Lady had something to give everyone including textbooks, novels, stationery and sports kits for schoolchildren, and toys for babies.
Expecting mothers also got new-born baby sets while surrounding clinics received rehabilitation equipment that included walking aides and medical supplies as she ensured everyone got something from her goody bag.
Everyone who came went home with something including those who visited from Mozambique, as Amai Mnangagwa also distributed maize-meal, sugar, rice, cooking oil and toiletries that included bath and laundry soap and toothpaste sourced through her Angel of Hope Foundation. She also gave out adult and baby clothes.
In her address, the First Lady said; “Today we want to discuss many issues, starting with health issues in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. We must protect ourselves through heeding the instructions we get from health professionals regarding the pandemic.
“As parents, we are worried that most children now no longer value education. They are impregnating each other and this province tops in child marriages. Pupils are hiding behind the Covid-19 pandemic to impregnate each other.
“Boys and girls, we do not want such mischief and we say no to loose morals. The dressing among girls is abhorrent. On my way here, I saw girls putting on dresses which end where they start (short dresses). We need to get in the Gota and Nhanga to teach each other.
“Behaviour wise, even some parents are behaving badly. The way some mothers dress is embarrassing and sadly some girls are copying this, as parents we are our children’s role models and they copy what we do. Children, both boys and girls have been ruined by drugs yet they are the parents of tomorrow.
“You are our future leaders my children, we look up to you, but you are letting us down with your behaviour. On the other hand, children complain that parents have no time with them. Some say their fathers spent time at the bar, only coming home to sleep hence not having time for guiding and counselling their children.”
Amai Mnangagwa also counselled boys and girls to only consider courtship when the time was ripe and after completing their studies. Bowing to peer pressure, she emphasised, had negative consequences.
“My children, if you date at 15 or 16 years of age, is there future here? Why are you rushing into love relationships, is it peer pressure? Girls please tell us what you want a boy for at such a tender age and boys too why would you want a girl while you are still young?” she asked.
In response; Lloyd Mukoreka (20) admitted that love relations started at a tender age had no future.
“The truth is that there will be no future because there is no way we can sustain a family at a tender age. At that age, I will not be having even a goat in my name at home since I would be under my parent’s care. What will I give her if she elopes. I think it is less of entertainment in rural communities which leads to the mischief of boys playing with girls,” he said.
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