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Columbus Mabika Herald Reporter

The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) through its charity initiatives remains committed to transforming disadvantaged communities and empowering the physically challenged to ensure the segments fully contribute to the Vision 2030 agenda, Commander AFZ, Air Marshal Elson Moyo has said.

Since its inception in 2011, the Commander AFZ Charity Fund (CAZCF) has  helped hundreds of people with disabilities as part of its humanitarian work and constructed several schools and clinics throughout the country.

Receiving a donation of wheel chairs from Minervia investments at AFZ headquarters yesterday, Air Marshal Moyo said the AFZ aims to continue growing its charity and humanitarian initiatives for the betterment of the nation.

“One of the programmes that has touched many, the most, has been the outreach initiative to empower people, who are physically challenged and those in the most disadvantaged communities.

“Since the inception of the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund in 2011, we have implemented a number of programmes that have benefited many individuals and communities in various parts of Zimbabwe,” he said.

He said as the country is emerging from the effects of the pandemic there was need for a united front in fighting the challenges that are being faced by communities.

“It is by no means an exaggeration that the Charity Fund was able to empower the many beneficiaries with assistive devices because of the unwavering support we receive from stakeholders.

“As we emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am most pleased to see Minerva Risk Advisors once again, coming to the aid of the Charity Fund with this donation of wheelchairs that we have witnessed.

“The significance of the donation is evident when viewed against the reality that Zimbabwe has over 1.5 million people who have disability challenges that are physiological, functional and mobility related,” he said.

CAZCF board chairperson, Mr Toendepi Muganyi, said AFZ community projects should be cascaded to individuals who feel they are marginalised adding they are working with the Department of Disability Affairs to distribute the wheel chairs.

“On our part as the Charity Fund, we will work hand-in-glove with the Disability Affairs Department in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in order to identify the most deserving individuals for these assistive devices,” he said.

“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.”

Minervia Risk Advisors managing director, Mrs Lydia Tanyanyiwa, said her organisation will continue partnering departments and institutions on developmental issues as part of their community responsibility.