Stanley Chirimbani

MEMBER’s of Mutare’s St John’s Mubvuwi weUnited Methodist Church (MUMC) an arm of the United Methodist Church (UMC) recently donated foodstuffs to students housed at Chengetai Special School in Chikanga. St Johns UMC is based in the high density suburb of Chikanga Phase 2.

The generous donation, which consisted of mealie meal, cooking oil, laundry soap, salt, sugar, soya chunks amongst other basic groceries was in response to the institution’s request for assistance to to help it meet its daily demands of food to feed students housed at the institution.

Chengetai Special School which is in the high density suburb of Chikanga Phase 1 is the only institution in Manicaland that serves children with mental disabilities.

Chengetai Special School matron, Rachel Kapfumvuti expressed her gratitude for the donation. She said the school was occasionally forced to close early due to lack of food. “We are happy to receive such gracious guests who have bought groceries that will help the residents of this school. In the past we have been sustaining the institution through our sponsors and grants such as BEAM (Basic Education Assistance Module), but the tough economic situation has made it difficult for them to chip in, whilst BEAM sometimes comes through late,” said Kapfumvuti.

Adding, “The situation is even grimmer for our youths who are above 18 years old because according to the school regulations they will no longer be allowed to be housed by this institution when they surpass 18 years of age. It is a challenge for them to survive in the world without special attention to their needs. The institution is seeking for partners that can intervene and better the children’s welfare so that they may realise their full potential just as their peers if given an opportunity,” she said.

Tonderai Bonyongwa (standing extreme right) making his presentation on behalf of the St John’s MUMC members.

St John’s MUMC chairperson Tonderai Bonyongwa emphasized the importance of the donation making reference to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of eradicating hunger.

“This undertaking is great, exciting and glorious, and it has a significant influence to help our country meet its targets of the 2030 SDG 2. This helps to eradicate poverty and hunger induced deaths, especially amongst the orphaned and vulnerable communities (OVC’s),” said Bonyongwa.

St John’s UMC council chairperson Taona Marange thanked the church members for the thoughtful gesture of assisting those in need during trying times for everyone in the country because of the global uncertainties following the withdrawal of aid and other funding in many developing countries by the United States (US).

“The credit is not mine nor for the church, but for God alone who has through his humble servants remembered the innocent souls who reside here and follow the ways of the Lord. I am glad with this day that the Lord has made. This day is testament of what can be achieved as a local church community if we unite and join resources to assist those in need. We need to look out for our own more now than ever,” said Marange.

They MUMC members said they used to often donate to Mutare Remand Prison but decided to focus on children with mental disabilities after the distress call. They said they intend to continue donating to Chengetai Special School, as well as mobilizing other people and institutions to come and assist.