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Tendai Rupapa  Senior Reporter

THE pains of motherhood saw First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa holding a heart-to-heart discussion with teen mothers in Kanyemba recently, imploring them to be involved in income generating projects and return to school to upgrade themselves and consequently their community.

It was a sorry sight seeing young girls from the Doma community aged between 13 and 17 pregnant, while others were breast feeding.

Amai Mnangagwa also sought to understand what prompts children in this area to rush into love affairs at the expense of their studies.

It was an emotional encounter where the First Lady fought back tears as she discussed with the teen mothers.

“I have come to speak to you vanangu because I am pained by your ages, both those who have given birth and those who are expecting,” she said. “I have come to speak to you as a mother and seek to find out why you are rushing into marriage. Were you raped?”

Some girls raised their hands and told the mother of the nation that they were raped, while others blamed it all on their parents for marrying them off against their wishes.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa stresses a point during a heart-to-heart discussion with teen mothers in Kanyemba last week

One of the teen mothers said her challenges started while in Form One when she dated an older person because of a craving for snacks.

“I fell in love while in Form One because the boy would buy me jiggies (corn snacks) and biscuits while going to school until I fell pregnant when I was in Form Two and then dropped out of school. We briefly stayed together until the child was six months-old and he vanished to Mozambique. Mama, I really want to go back to school, I have learnt my lesson,” she said in-between sobs.

Her tale differed from that of her 17-year colleague who said she was grateful for being taken through a detergent-making project by the First Lady.

“I am thankful for the detergent-making project you have taught us so that I can fend for my children. 

“I have three children because the man would force me to have children before he disappeared to Zambia. Life was unbearable for me without anything to offer the children, but with the project you have initiated for us, life will never be the same again,” she said.

The First Lady urged the teen mothers to let bygones be bygones and focus on the future.

Angel of Hope Foundation staff distribute baby clothes, blankets and toys to teen mothers after their interaction with First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in Kanyemba last week

“I have come to carry you as a mother, focusing on the future and let bygones be bygones. I want you to look after your children,” she said. I am glad most of you went through the detergents and petroleum jelly project that i initiated here, which will help those who left school midway as you are now able to proceed with your studies. 

“I have brought representatives of the Women’s Bank and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development so that they can teach you more about self-help projects. You may have lost the plot in the past but let us focus on the future. 

“I have also brought people from the Ministry of Health and Child Care to teach you family planning. I am happy you did not abort vanangu. I want you to form groups and advise me of projects you want to participate in specifically for you as teen mothers and I will help you through my Angel of Hope Foundation. Having children at a young age causes you health challenges like fistula. Work for yourselves and do not be impregnated for jiggies.” 

Those pregnant were given new-born baby kits, baby blankets and toys, while those nursing babies were favoured with clothing for babies, blankets and toys, thanks to the mother of the nation.

According to statistics, rape and child marriage cases are rife in the province, especially in Mbire district. 

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Monica Mavhunga, once told the First Lady during her Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba programme at Chief Matsiwo’s homestead that census results had shown that the province tops in child marriages.

“In the recent census, our province is on top on child marriages. Also in terms of having many children, our province is topping. We are grateful for the programme you have brought to teach our children who are rushing to get married at the expense of their education,” she said.