Fitness centre partners charity organisations in fitness drive
Alocal fitness centre has partnered Marvel Act Youth Organisation (Mayo) and Tamuka Foundation Orphanage on a fitness and donation drive for the less-privileged children at Tamuka Foundation, which will be held today.
The event coincides with Tamuka Foundation founder’s birthday.
Knoxxfit Fitness Centre director Knowledge Musengi said the idea came after realising that most children in orphanages were left out of essential processes that are important for their growth and development.
“We noted that there is need for regular exercise for these children, which enhances and promotes their development of motor skills, bones and muscles, cognitive and social skills,” Musengi said.
“Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, fit children sleep better.
“Exercise improves school performance. Children who exercise regularly are also better at handling physical and emotional challenges, hence those in orphanages and care homes need support that makes children feel part of the society and family setups.”
Knoxxfit is a registered brand under the National Federation of Zimbabwe Body Building and Fitness.
The partners, Tamuka Foundation and Mayo Zimbabwe, an organisation, which is devoted to bringing social change and developing marginalised communities through various developmental initiatives have been working together on several occasions.
Commenting on the initiative, Mayo Zimbabwe director and gender champion Abel Mavura said the initiative came at a time when the issue of drug abuse among youths in Zimbabwe was rampant, hence it will help to reduce drug abuse among school going children.
Mavura, who is also an awardwinning social Justice advocate, author, said there was need for education, rehabilitation and more awareness on the consequences of drug abuse among young people.
Mayo Zimbabwe is a child, youth and women-focused nongovernmental organisation that seeks to contribute to the development and empowerment of young people in marginalised communities, eradication of poverty, injustices, conflicts, violence through advocacy for equality, child, youth and women’s rights.
Tamuka Foundation, which is based in one of Harare’s highdensity suburbs — Kuwadzana, is community-based organisation that works with orphans and vulnerable children, people with disabilities and people with HIV.
They are related to the thematic areas that are charted in the national response to HIV and Aids.
The foundation also focuses on empowering people through projects like gardening and animal rearing for nutritional and survival purposes.