-as Masvingo Unite remembers inmates
MIDWEEK WATCH REPORTER
MASVINGO CITY-One of the most important institutions for the disabled children in the education sector, Ratidzo Zimcare Trust in Mucheke suburb has fallen on hard times as it has run out of basic provisions.
The home which caters for mentally ill children of up to 18 years, requires pads, medication, hearing aids, wheelchairs for mobility, blankets for winter season, physiotherapy just to mention these only.
“We are very grateful to well-wishers who sometimes remember us, but we are facing serious challenges like daily provisions, water for the projects that we want to embark on, power, internet to enhance our learning programs for our kids who are mostly mentally ill.
“If we are to get our own solar powered water systems, it will make us easier to start our own income generating projects like chicken rearing, horticulture projects for our own consumption and for sale to the public.
“We have the capacity for 50 layers, 50 broilers, rabbit keeping, 200 free range chicken and embark on drip irrigation.
“Unfortunately we do not have the money to start and sustain some of the projects which we believe are life changing as they will also go a long way in capacitating our students so that when they leave here they have somewhere to start from,” said the school’s head, Benabete Chihava during an interview with The Midweek Watch recently.
Ratidzo Zimcare Trust has a total of 153 inmates at the moment and the children stay at the Roman Catholic run, Alfred Walter Hostels while a few are day scholars.
Currently the school has 100 girls in boarding school and 53 boys between the ages of 7 and 17 years.
There are 16 staff members, 2 males and 14 females at the institution which is playing a very crucial role in catering for the special needs children.
The children are taught cooking skills like, washing, looking after themselves at different levels like Reception I, for daily living skills and II for other basics like home economics, Group 1, 2, 3, 4, where they learn skills like carpentry, welding, agriculture and many more until they are weaned at 18 years as the Department of Social Welfare only caters for those below that age.
Ratidzo Zimcare Trust was established in 1984 and has a carrying capacity of 180 inmates.
“We have some children who are hyperactive, epileptic and they need special drugs for their situations which we are running short of and their parents, unfortunately are poor, they cannot afford to provide for their children.
“The Department of Social Welfare is doing its best, but its not enough, our fees are paid for by the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) which sometimes does not come in time,” added the head.
Meanwhile, philanthropic group, Masvingo Unite in February donated goodies worth over US$450 which included pads, washing soap, powder, Mazoe Orange Crush, tissues, tooth paste, biscuits, flour, tea leaves, bath soap, cooking oil and many more to the school.
The handover ceremony held at school was led by prominent retailer, Ignatius Mazambani, WEBO Masvingo Provincial Ambassador and Eben Hardware proprietor, Benonia Machavuda, Liquor Emporium official, Charles Matapura, Kudakwashe Murinda and media personality, Nkulumani Mlambo on behalf of Masvingo Unite which has members in the country and diaspora.
“We promise to come back from time to time, funds permitting to donate whatever we would have managed to put together.
“By giving back to the community does not mean we have too much, its only that we believe in sharing the little that we have as Masvingo Unite.
“We have brothers and sisters who grew up in Masvingo who are in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and they are part of us and they also help every quarter with donations back home.
“We will continue to remember you as you are playing a very crucial role in catering for these kids of special needs,” said Mazambani.
Masvingo Unite was established in 2023 and has made US$650 donations to Mucheke Old People’s Home, US$250 to Denlord Chimuka (8) who is suffering from an ailment to undergo electrocardiogram (ECG) and Echocardiogram (ECHO) X-rays in Harare to ascertain the type of surgery required for him.
