MIDWEEK REPORTER
MUTARE-As the nurse aid course wave hits Zimbabwe, business mogul and Zanu PF Central Committee member, Esau Mupfumi has made the dream come true for 600 beneficiaries from Mutare’s oldest suburb of Sakubva after paying for their fees on Monday.
Mupfumi paid the required fees for 600 beneficiaries to be trained by Manicaland Red Cross Society in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to get the much sought-after certificates as home based care givers or nurse aids for the next two months.
When The Midweek Watch visited Sakubva Beit Hall it was all systems go as those who were quick to take up the offer were already receiving lessons while others were trooping into the hall to get registered so that they can join in.
“Small entry, large exit, I am sure you saw that policeman who shot himself in the head in Maronders sometime ago that the bullet entrance was barely visible but the back of the head where the bullet came out through had a large opening, that is what the bullet does,” the instructor could be heard barking to her students who were listening attentively last Tuesday as she took them through the first aid lessons.
A long winding queue formed outside the hall as prospective students were checking for their names or registeringl for the once in a lifetime opportunity to escape poverty as there are chances of getting employment outside the country or by non governmental organisations after completing the course.
“I never thought this will ever happen in my life as I had resigned to fate, but when Cde Mupfumi announced that he is going to pay for our training with the Red Cross, I quickly grabbed the opportunity.
“Chance favours those who are prepared, you never know opportunities may present themselves and with my nurse aid certificate I will be able to apply and possibly get a job.
“These are the kind of leaders that we want as they don’t give you fish but teach you how to fish so that you feed yourself for the rest of your life,” said an ecstatic, Namatirai Mapaike one of the first beneficiaries of the training program.
Rejoice Gonye who came with her one year old baby strapped at the back said she never thought twice the moment she got wind of the program as she quickly registered and is looking forward to graduate with a nurse aid certificate and be able to be of use it to serve the community.
“Cde Mupfumi is a hero, my life will never be the same again with this certificate in hand. I will be able to apply for a job or assist other people in times of disaster as I would have acquired basic skills in the area.
“This is a life changing opportunity since I was never going to be able to raise the required fees, but with the help of Cde Mupfumi, it’s a dream come true,” said Gonye.
Mupfumi said they have embarked on the training of home based care givers as there are many people who are sick at home and the elderly who need their services.
“While there is free health care for the elderly and unemployed at Government health institutions, remember they are poorly equipped with no drugs so we decided to equip the youngsters with basic skills to take care of the elderly and sick while they are at home.
“These young people will have something to occupy them and keep them away from drugs and substance abuse as they will be taking care of their elderly and those who are sick.
“They can turn empty houses where they stay into homes for basic health care for the sick before a specialist attends to them.
“Most diseases require a nurse aid first, like a snake bite, one can render first aid assistance to save lives before they get specialist assistance,” said Mupfumi.
He also said it is good that if the trainees acquire the nurse aid certificates they may be able to go outside the country and look for job opportunities and be able to fend for their families.
