Zimpapers Logo

Talent Chimutambgi Herald Reporter
The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has donated 15 wheelchairs to people with disabilities as part of its humanitarian work through Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Funds (CAZCF).

Some of the other members received the wheelchairs at Air Force Headquarters at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks while the rest will be distributed to other provinces throughout the country.

Speaking during the handover ceremony last Thursday, Commander Airforce of Zimbabwe Charity Funds (CAZCF) board chairperson Mr Toendepi Muganyi said AFZ community projects should be cascaded to individuals who feel they are marginalised.

“ . . . This came about after the charity fund realised that projects that were only community centred carried less meaning if the needs of individuals were also not considered or incorporated into the charity matrix, hence the thrust for donations of assistive devices to people living with disabilities were added those that already existed,” said Mr Muganyi.

“This thrust is affirmed by our corporative efforts and shared idealism with the corporate world to reach out to those that feel they are less considered in prime humanitarian matters,” he said.

Mr Muganyi said they were working with the Ministry of Labour and Social Services to identify people with extreme cases throughout the country, adding the country has got many people with various forms of disability who need assistance.
“We thank the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare who through their extensive presence in all provinces helped us identifying the deserving cases.

Zimbabwe still has a lot of people with challenges that are physiological, functional and mobility related. Unfortunately, most of them do not have assistive devices that can help them to function independently or with little or no assistance.”
He said Government through various initiatives was managing to curb stigma against disabled persons and incorporating them into all facets of communal activities.

Speaking at the same occasion AFZ Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo said the donations were part of AFZ’s corporate social responsibility aimed at assisting communities.

“I am glad to say that the initial assistive devices donation exercise last year gave us a big insight on the existing need for intervention in dire cases around the country,” said Air Marshal Moyo.

“The donations were part of AFZ corporate social responsibility and there are other projects running which include offering scholarships to bright children, clothes to newly born babies, school children and the elderly,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Miss Zvisinei Zulu thanked the AFZ for the gesture adding they were now able to travel some distances to socialise with others.

“I want to thank you for giving us wheelchairs for we are now able to go some distances to watch soccer, going to churches and meeting others which we were unable to do,” said Ms Zulu.