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Fidelis Munyoro Herald Reporter
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday warned children against abusing drugs and urged them to focus on their education to ensure they succeed in life. Speaking to almost 500 children at Longcheng Plaza Amusement Park yesterday to mark Children’s Day, the First Lady said children were future leaders, hence nothing should stop them from pursuing their God-given dreams.

“Each and every one of you is talented regardless of your background,” she said, adding: “Those talents need be jealously guarded because they will lead you to a better future.”

The First Lady said with education, children stood a great chance of unlocking any doors in future and live the way they wished.
“As your mother, I warn you against substance abuse and falling into the temptation of peer pressure leading you to abusing drugs and all misdemeanours,” she said.

The First Lady implored the young girls to shun early marriages and concentrate on their education.
“Young girls, do not rush to become mothers before you reach maturity,” she said. “Give yourself a chance to pursue your education while you still have the energy and time to do so.

“Your future depends on the effort you are putting right now. Do not be fooled and lured by men with material things, which do not last even a moment. The future is in your hands, so you need to take care of it now.”

The First Lady, now the leading campainger against cervical cancer and founder of Angel of Hope Foundation, assured the children that her charity organistion and other well-wishers would continue to provide assistance to the children.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping said China and Zimbabwe shared the same values and conviction that every child deserved equal oppor- tunity.

“We share the same passion and commitment to create a better future for our children regardless of gender, race, religion or economic status,” he said.

“Children are the very hope of the country and when we invest in children we invest in the future of our country.”
The Chinese Embassy donated 360 quilts, 30 barrels of cooking oil, 300 bags of corn flour, 36 basket balls, 36 footballs and 36 volley balls to 17 orphan- ages.

Mr Huang said the Chinese gesture spoke volumes of the goodwill and friendship between the two countries, which he said was the bedrock that the overall China-Zimbabwe relations rested on.