Derick Tsimba
Great works being carried out by the First Lady through her philanthropic work to better the lives of Zimbabweans, is a glimpse into the First Family’ vision for the future of Zimbabwe.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, hit the ground running since the coming in of the Second Republic in 2017 and she has never turned back on assisting the disadvantaged.
As the founder and patron of the Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady is championing for the provision of basic amenities for vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe.
Before becoming the First Lady, she was very influential towards the establishment of women’s banks in Silobela, Zhombe, Kwekwe, Chirumanzu-Zibagwe, Mvuma and other constituencies in the Midlands Province.
She managed to kick-start women empowerment through ownership of livestock and handcrafts such as sewing, knitting and clay pot moulding.
As a promoter of good hygiene many rural homes where tiled in Midlands Province during her tenure as a parliamentarian, giving them a new breath of life.
She was also the one behind encouragement and promotion of women to take part in cross border trading as a means of self-sustenance.
In 2017, when she became the First Lady her marvellous works intensified through the formation of the Angel of Hope Foundation which houses her initiatives of empowering the vulnerable.
The First Lady has been a blessing to Zimbabwe especially to the needy that are continuously in her mind when she initiates project to improve their lot.
Angel of Hope Foundation through the First Lady has managed to give hope to the poor. There can be no doubt that she has spearheaded philanthropic work spreading its wings to the most marginalised communities, advocating for the preservation of their culture, as in the case of communities in the far corners of Zimbabwe.
In respect of her tireless efforts the First Lady through her Foundation has managed to visit many communities and institutions donating foodstuffs, bed linen, stationary, ICT and medical equipment, and initiating comprehensive self-help projects like fishponds, nutrition gardens, orchards and free range chicken rearing.
The resounding work the by the First Lady in recognition of her generous work towards women and children’s health resulted in her being appointed as Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Ambassador for Maternal and Child health.
The First Lady continue to be involved with people livelihoods and has been an active member of the Organisation of African Ladies against HIV/ AIDS, the organisation renowned for actively equipping youths with knowledge on sexual health matters and discourages premarital sex. The First Lady has been impartial in terms of empowering women and her list includes Chiefs’ wives and those from diverse backgrounds.
Marginalised communities continued to be facilitated with medical specialist’s service, such as the provision of accessible and free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening through the First Lady’s free mobile clinic screening programme.
The First Lady also launched the National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV), an anti- cancer programme expected to benefit over 800 000 girls aged between 10 and 14.
Having women and children at heart, the First Lady has been actively providing sanitary wear to women and girls, the sanitary wear she continues to donate includes reusable sanitary wear for the disadvantaged.
Government continues to recognize the developmental work being done by the First lady, She has been commended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education and other stakeholders for her keen interest in addressing and engaging adolescents by way of interactive sessions on a country-wide schools programme discussing issues around child abuse, early marriages, teen pregnancies, drug abuse, bullying and school drop outs.
This year the First Lady through her Angel of Hope Foundation delivered desks, chairs, uniforms and stationery for 130 pupils at MayPark Primary School in Mashonaland Central Province. She also donated specialised beds to hospitals in Bulawayo, Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.
The inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison received an assortment of foodstuffs and toiletries which eased their plight in the wake of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. She also complimented Government efforts by donating tonnes of maize meal and rice, packs of washing soap and boxes of cooking oil at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre.
The First Lady continues to set precedence for the rest of Zimbabweans who can afford to assist the vulnerable in their communities.
