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Tendai Rupapa and Joseph Madzimure

ZIMBABWEAN farmer Mr Victor Sango and his family yesterday donated a tonne of maize to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation for onward distribution to those in need and to bolster its humanitarian work countrywide.

The First Lady is the country’s health ambassador and has left no stone unturned in ensuring the elderly, orphans and the disabled, among various vulnerable groups that have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown get food and necessary information on the pandemic.

The country is under lockdown as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus and this has affected most people’s ability to fend for themselves, hence the First Lady’s intervention as she continues to carry on with the spirit of spreading love to the needy.

She has also been holding interactive meetings with communities countrywide to equip them with information on how to fight coronavirus, which has claimed thousands of lives across the globe and left the world economy on its knees.

Mr Sango said he saw it prudent to help the First Lady in her work, which was there for everyone to see and implored Zimbabweans to chip in.

“I have come with my family with the aim of thanking the First Lady for the work she is doing countrywide. She is helping various constituencies facing food challenges. She is intervening to assist those in need. We have come to thank her for the visible work she is doing and we hope she carries forward these good deeds.

“We have not come here empty-handed. We have come with a tonne of maize and she knows best where she will take this maize as she knows the needy areas. We urge others to come forward and assist those in need,” said Mr Sango.

He applauded Amai Mnangagwa’s non-partisan approach saying her foundation was helping every citizen regardless of one’s political affiliation or religion.

In her acceptance speech read on her behalf by the foundation’s board member Mrs Rachel Nield-Geranios, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the assistance rendered to her organisation by Mr Sango, a youthful farmer from Mashonaland West Province.

She said Angel of Hope Foundation had been operational since 2018 to support the vulnerable in accessing health services like cancer screening, to assist disadvantaged women and youth in becoming secure and live a dignified life and to respond to communities by addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities to allow them to cope with economic demands in life.

“I am humbled by the positive response emanating from around the country, with people spreading love towards one another. We should be united as Zimbabweans and look at our neighbours with nationhood love regardless of race, gender, religion and political affiliation.

“As a mother I do not discriminate hence you see me travelling the width and breadth of this country looking at everyone’s needs and helping them to ease their plights,” she said.

The First Lady, who has a passion for the economic advancement of the country’s citizens said it was important to “care for one another even in this difficult time of Covid-19 and look around to see if those surrounding us need help if we are in a position to assist”.

“I would like to thank Mr Sango for such a heart-warming gesture. Your donation will play a role in the relief programmes that we are undertaking nationwide helping the underprivileged and the marginalised. I cherish his love, following the teachings of unity and loving one another.

“I would want to encourage more youths to emulate what Mr Sango has done today in assisting Angel Hope Foundation to continue giving such basic commodities to the needy. I would also like to thank all those that have donated towards the foundation. Indeed your helping hand is supporting us as Angel of Hope in touching lives. The demand for the presence of Angel of Hope Foundation is increasing and your help is appreciated.”

Amai Mnangagwa through Angel of Hope Foundation has been mobilising various resources for onward distribution to the poor, including food, sanitisers, personal protective equipment and blankets.

Hospitals and clinics have also immensely benefited from the foundation’s efforts to make the country a better place for everyone.