Entrepreneurs support First Lady’s Foundation
IN an unprecedented event, a group of businesspeople who grew up in Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge district, came out in full support of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s efforts to ease the plight of vulnerable people in the country by mobilising an assortment of goods which they handed over to Angel of Hope Foundation for onward distribution to the needy.
The move speaks volumes about how the mother of the nation has touched many hearts through her philanthropic work and non-partisan approach.
The mother of the nation’s concern for the welfare of the vulnerable groups has seen her going around the country’s provinces donating what she would have mobilised without being selective.
The consignment of goods handed over comprised 100 boxes of exercise books, 100 cases rice, 100 cases sugar, 200 cases salt, 10 boxes of pens, 200 cases tissues, 150 cases juices and 150 boxes biscuits.
The fact that the First Lady personally distributes goods donated to her to the needy and ensures that they reach the intended beneficiaries has seen many sections of society, including corporates and individuals coming forward to work with her.
Angel of Hope Foundation is not Government funded, does not have a pool of resources but relies on various working partners to satisfy the needs of citizens across social classes.
A representative of the group Mr Parfait Nahimana described the donation as a way of thanking the First Lady for her golden heart.
He said they were also thanking the Government of Zimbabwe for countless opportunities accorded to refugees.
They said they also do not forget where they were raised and occasionally donate to the Tongogara refugee camp.
“I and my colleagues managed to bring these goods to support Angel of Hope Foundation which is led by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa. We come from different countries. Some of us are from Rwanda and others from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We were raised in the Tongogara Refugee Camp.
“The Government of Zimbabwe gives opportunities to everyone and we really appreciate that. Some of us managed to start small businesses and we have grown in different businesses. We thought in support of the opportunity we were given, we needed to participate in what is happening in Zimbabwe in terms of helping and supporting each other. With what Amai is doing countrywide through her Angel of Hope Foundation, we decided to give a helping hand. Our message to Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is that we are with her any time and as her children, we are there to assist and support her philanthropic work,” he said.
Dr Mnangagwa is on record saying no gift was too small or too big to her as anything would help ease the plight of someone somewhere in the country.
In her acceptance speech read by Dr Tafadzwa Muguti, Amai Mnangagwa said she was humbled and enamoured by such a thoughtful gesture that enabled her to carry out her philanthropic work through her Angel of Hope Foundation which she is passionate about.
“When I started Angel of Hope Foundation back in 2018, I had the vision to assist where I could those living on the periphery of the societal structure, be it gender-based, economic, geographic and even demographic. I have taken all from the depths of this country, from the then inaccessible Kanyemba, Dete, Kamutsenzere to mention but a few. I do not look at ethnicity or political affiliation, all what I want is to see the vulnerable being assisted and empowered.
“This gesture which you have extended is one which I do not take lightly as it is a very significant enabler to the mantra of Angel of Hope Foundation which is engulfed in touching lives. With this donation, you have also touched the lives of the elderly in geographically remote areas, the young orphans being housed in orphanages, our children living and working in the streets, or widows to mention but a few. To me, no donation is too big or too small as the demand for the presence of Angel of Hope Foundation is ever increasing,” she said.
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