The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A CARNIVAL atmosphere early this week engulfed Charlsewood and Machongwe in Chimanimani as villagers broke into song and dance after First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa had donated food hampers to 2 000 households.
The hampers comprised of mealie-meal, cooking oil and soya mince.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation of Amai Mnangagwa’s benevolence.
The First Lady has been religiously offering a helping hand to Cyclone Idai survivors since the March 2019 calamity.
The latest donation from Amai Mnangagwa through her Angel of Hope Foundation to the people of Chimanimani was handed over on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, handed over the donation on behalf of the First Lady.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Edison Maphosa, thanked the First Lady for her intervention during the community’s time of need.
“I am taking care of nine children and this donation will ease the burden. As we were still grappling with the effects of Cyclone Idai, the Covid-19 pandemic came with the lockdowns. Sourcing food for the family has been a huge challenge. We are therefore very grateful to the First Lady,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Thandiwe Berera, said she is really touched by Amai Mnangagwa’s philanthropic works.
“The First Lady has done so many things for us and we really appreciate that. Even when she comes down here one can easily see her commitment and determination to assist the less privileged, especially women and children. I really want to thank her for making our work in the home easier as women,” she said.
In her speech, Minister Matsikenyere, who was representing Amai Mnangagwa, said Amai Mnangagwa has always been concerned about the people of Chimanimani.
Part of the First Lady’s donations to the people of Chimanimani) — Pictures: Tinai Nyadzayo
“She has visited this place on several occasions, which shows us as the people of Chimanimani that we have a caring mother.
“We pray that God gives her the gift of long life so that she continues touching people’s hearts through her philanthropic work,” said Minister Matsikinyere.
In Machongwe, 1 100 households benefited from the donation while 900 households in Charleswood also benefited.
Both areas were badly affected during the March 2019 Cyclone Idai.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, Amai Mnangagwa has been assisting a lot of less privileged people in different parts of the country.
Amai Mnangagwa is the country’s health ambassador. She is passionate about the welfare of children, women and other vulnerable groups. Recently she launched the school feeding programme for school going children to ensure they are well fed and are able to attend classes on full stomachs.
