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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has saluted child care institutions for their hardwork and contribution in the upbringing of children.

This came out yesterday when the First Lady through her Angel of Hope Foundation presented several goods that included food, blankets, clothes and books at SOS Children’s Village in Waterfalls.

The other donated items included maize, maize meal, cooking oil, soap, dried vegetables and rice.

SOS Children’s Village is home to 100 children who rely on well-wishers for their upkeep. The village has 15 homes, with each catering for eight children of different ages who are looked after by foster mothers.

Some of the children are infants, while others are of school-going ages.

The institution provides quality care to the children so that they can successfully integrate into society.

The children come from the department of social welfare.

In a speech read on her behalf by Angel of Hope Foundation board member Mrs Rachel Nield-Geranios, Amai Mnangagwa saluted the mothers for their sterling work and love towards the children.

She applauded SOS Children’s Villages for looking after the children.

“We do not forget the works of Hermann Gmeiner of Austria who took the duty of looking after children who had been abandoned by parents during the war,” said Amai Mnangagwa.

“The programme expanded and now there are 133 villages internationally.

“This also gave an opportunity for Zimbabwe to have such an institution, with the first one established in 1983 in Bindura, the second in 1990 in Harare and the third one in Bulawayo.

“I thank all those who are participating in the upbringing of these children. It is not an easy task, but through your love you are a positive impact in their lives.”

The First Lady urged the mothers and children village staff to continue working hard and providing the love to the children.

“I urge you children to also work hard at school,” she said.

Waterfalls SOS Children’s Village director, Mr Samuel Warikandwa, thanked the First Lady and Angel of Hope Foundation for coming up with an intervention at the opportune time when international support had started dwindling.

“This is not the first time that we have received assistance from Angel of Hope,” he said.

“We are humbled by the continued support. You continue to remember this institution.”

SOS national director, Mr Addmore Makanura said: “During times of crisis, everyone concentrates on providing for him or herself, but the First Lady has continued to remember this institution even during difficult times.”