WhatsApp status changes granny’s life

29 Oct, 2021 - 00:10 0 Views
WhatsApp status changes granny’s life United Methodist Church Chipinge-Chimanimani District Superintendent, Reverend Steven Jeyacheya (left) hands-over keys to the new house to Gogo Anamay Chihowo Munazvo (centre), while Pastor-in-Charge of Mutambara East circuit, Rev Energy Mudzedze (right) looks on at Nhedziwa last week on Saturday.— Picture: Tinai Nyadzayo

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande and Tanyaradzwa Nyahoda

SOCIAL media platform, WhatsApp has been used and abused.

Since its advent, it has been a both a blessing and a curse.

Some have used it to pour out their emotions in times of distress.

Others have used it to show off their material possessions.

Better still, some have used it to ridicule perceived enemies in different social circles.

But there is a clique of progressive citizenry that have harnessed WhatsApp and other social media platforms for social good.

Today, Reverend Energy Mudzedze, Pastor-in-Charge of Mutambara East of the United Methodist Circuit is gratified that a mere WhatsApp status on his mobile phone managed to make a positive change to a 91-year-old widow’s life.

It was after a routine home section visit when Reverend Mudzedze posted on his WhatsApp status the need to help Gogo Anamay Chihowo Munazvo of Matendeudze Village in Chimanimani District to get decent accommodation.

He posted a photo of himself standing beside Gogo Munazvo’s dilapidated grassed-thatched kitchen hut, pleading to well-wishers to chip in with any form of assistance.

“As Christians, our core business is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through preaching of the gospel, and being the light and salt of the world. There is need for faith to be accompanied by good deeds.

“It was during my routine section visits to homes of members of Matendeudze Section Two where I saw the need at Gogo Munazvo’s homestead. There was need for a proper and decent accommodation for Gogo Munazvo.

“I placed a WhatsApp status message on my phone. This resulted in the coming on board of a number of well-wishers to assist Gogo Munazvo. As Christians, we are torch bearers, and the world counts on us.

“It is against this background that viewers, both church and non-church members started to converge through WhatsApp texts. They all agreed that for sure a helping hand was needed to alleviate Gogo Munazvo’s suffering.

“Donations and pledges were made by sympathetic members of the community and the church,” said Reverend Mudzedze.
Gogo Munazvo was at a loss of words and failed to utter anything as emotions got the better of her during the handover ceremony of her new home last week on Saturday.

“I have no word to say,” said Gogo Munazvo as she battled to draw back her tears.

According to Reverend Mudzedze, special thanks go to the frontrunners in the project who include Mrs Nyarai Gondo, Mrs Rudo Mazamani, Mrs Saniso Munjoma and Mrs Ngwenya.

After these, most people especially church members chipped in to make the project a success, and these include among others, Bessie Makaza, Everjoice Mutetwa, Happiness Zemura, Nyararai Mwaruta, Nhamo Gurenje, Rodda Mandikutse, Sibusisiwe Moyo, Cherish Maposhere and many more.

Non-church members who contributed towards the success of the projects include, but not limited to Mollen Maringehosi, Rudo Muzamani, Saniso Munjoma and Mrs Farai.

To recognise the immense contributions from these well-wishers, Reverend Mudzedze found it good to appreciate them with certificates.

After the finishing of the two-roomed structure, UK-based, Mrs Gondo went on to donate US$500 for the construction of a kitchen hut.

Through the efforts of another church member, Mr Thomas Chiremba, who led a team of builders that includes Mr Vhundikwa and Mr Muranda, construction of a two-roomed structure commenced.

Laying of the foundation seemed to be a major breakthrough as more and more donations and contributions came in.

Matendeudze Section Two members chipped in by cooking food for the builders, while some church members donated food, building materials as well as their time and resources.

Gogo Munazvo is a fully subscribed member to the United Methodist Church.

She loves her church very much as she rarely misses Sunday services.

She sacrifices to attend church services at local churches like Chiramba, Chitimbi and Lydia Chimonyo despite the challenges of scarce and few resources.

She stays alone, and has no child following the death of all her three children.

United Methodist Church Chipinge-Chimanimani District Superintendent, Reverend Stephen Jeyacheya said the initiative by his church was a sermon on its own.

“This is a sermon on its own. We really want to thank the Lord for the good works that have been carried out here. This is indeed the purpose of the church in our communities.

“Through this initiative, we have been able to see Christians living what they preach.

“We are looking forward to carrying on with such noble initiatives and bringing comfort to the distressed,” he said.

 

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