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This is a verse from one popular Nyanja song. The song became spot on as a joyous mood engulfed the Christian Marching Old People’s Home in Marondera on Saturday as senior citizens from the centre prepared to celebrate Father’s Day.Well-wishers from various walks of life always visit the place. But on this day it was something special. The visitors would help them make the celebrations a reality by showering them with presents, donations as well as love.

“I am grateful to be here, in fact, I feel at home and I am very safe. It is a good feeling to be with my age mates, it’s great to be old,” said Raymond Anderson (59), who despite having a son based in the United Kingdom, feels much at home at the old people’s home.

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He said he decided to stay at the centre after becoming destitute and also after a devastating incident that almost claimed his life.

“I divorced long ago after I was run over by a car in 1981 which led to one of my legs being amputated. I was guzzler, and was often in and out of hospital owing to ulcers that had developed in my stomach. But staying here doesn’t mean I didn’t want to be responsible with my life. Although now I am down, but it does not mean I am out because God is helping me very much. Just pray to God for all your needs, for all the air that you are breathing for free, for life and health. My message to all the fathers out there is, “ Please stop drinking, it is bad for your health. Turn to God for wisdom and guidance,” says Anderson.

He went on to narrate how irresponsibility as a father almost ruined his life. Anderson says he loved wild parties, spending his nights but boozing and smoking with friends not knowing that by doing so he had pressed the self-destruct button.“I recall that day vividly. I was in the company of a friend going for a fanfare and displays at (Harare International) airport. I was off duty that day, after drinking heavily. I was dropped at home in Arcadia. Instead of sleeping, my mind told me to go for another outing (bar) in town, on my way I was knocked down near the shops because I had taken one too many. That is how my leg was amputated.

“Since that day my life started falling apart . I was rich, but all that is now history and I blame it on beer. My health also deteriorated. I went to hospital several times and I was diagnosed with ulcers. I turned to a beggar , living on the streets, until I found this home,” said a visibly distraught Anderson.

While Anderson accepts the fate that befell him, he has however surrendered his remaining years on earth to God and urged fellow fathers to repent and lead proper lives.

“Well, I am being haunted by the past but there is nothing I can do now because I am living within the circle of my chosen life. I have chosen to be what I am today not because I was aware of it but due to ignorance. Now I am trying as much as possible to lead my life according to the Bible since I am a born again Christian,” said Anderson.

Another senior citizen who also resides at the old people’s home, Malema Sumata could not mince his words in explaining how he “sowed his wild oats” until life dealt him a heavy blow.

Sumata, who was born in Katima Mulilo in Namibia in 1938 and relocated to Zimbabwe in 1953 in search of greener pastures, said he had a string of mistresses and believes that he fathered a lot of illegitimate children with them both in Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“Commercial sex workers were my greatest weakness, and this led to my downfall. We are fortunate enough because back in the days when we associated with these women there was no HIV and Aids but now you can die,” warned Malema.

He however, said he was happy that Christian Marching Old People’s Home had given him a roof over his head.As a father, he feels he has let his children and grandchildren down.

“Now I need to go back home to celebrate such occasions like Fathers’ Day and other important events with m y family. Can you please facilitate so that I can go back? I need to see my granddaughters and grandsons,” said Malema, who worked at Wankie Colliery before being employed as a labourer at a number of farms. He also ventured into the construction industry before joining the Tobacco Research Board.

Pastor David Zulu , administrator at the home, said the majority of the people at the centre were foreigners, who came from countries like Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia, among others seeking employment on farms, mines and roads. “Many of them came here in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) because of the good economy that the country had in those days. Some of them were displaced by war in Mozambique. The white settlers were happy with these foreigners who were willing to do any menial jobs without complaining because they knew they had nowhere to go since they were not in their own country, unlike the Zimbabweans who would be employed as seasonal workers and then leave the job for others they felt were better paying.

Many worked for years but their wages, which were pittances, were soon affected by inflation and they were left with nothing. Others sold their properties and were forced to come here due to the difficult circumstances they found themselves in,” explained Pastor Zulu.Pastor Zulu added that it was their duty as an organisation to give the aged and destitute a better life by providing them with accommodation and other necessities of life like food, clothes and access to health facilities. He, however, said this would be made possible if well-wishers assisted them in both cash and kind to ensure that they get the kind of life they deserve.

“many of these elderly people need pocket money but we can’t afford it so we let them go for piece jobs in the local area so that they supplement their needs.Here we give them accommodation, we have all the facilities, even water since we have a borehole , and we also provide them with food which is three meals a day. They come here with nothing except their clothes; they sold everything to cope with the living conditions, there are several groups that visit here, others to pray, others for learning purposes; some bring food stuffs, clothes and blankets,” he said.

Pastor Zulu said the old people’s home had its foundations in the word of God, and by so doing they were upbeat that this would help transform the lives of the elderly into better ones.“We have different people with different backgrounds. We don’t force them to pray, but every Sunday we hold church services to accommodate those that want to pray. The world of God is the only thing that fulfils their spiritual needs.“We have different people, some came here mentally challenged, some blind, while were to us form the social welfare but we are managing them, we are training them to be responsible and they are responding positively,” said Pastor Zulu.

Christian Marching Church was established by Bishop Petros Katsande in 1980 to cater for the elderly who were in trying situations. He started it as an outreach programme, visiting people door to door in Mbare, giving them food until he found a stand in Marondera. Church services are held every Sunday to share the world of God and enhancing spiritual needs.

The centre received a shot in the arm when some local companies made a donation to them.“Last year we got all the bedding needs as well as kitchen ware like pots and plates from Earnest and Young while Proton Bakery brings bread to cater for breakfast every day. The home accommodates 25 men and six women. Here we give spiritual counselling.”