First Lady hosts groundbreaking Valentine’s celebration for vulnerable children

Tendai Rupapa

Senior Reporter

MOTHER of the nation First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday broke new ground by hosting a Valentine’s Day-themed party for children drawn from 25 children’s homes around Harare, reinforcing her love as a mother and giving them a deeper sense of belonging. St Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14 annually, is not only about romantic relationships, but a mother can also show love for her children on that day, like what the First Lady did for the vulnerable children.

Amai Mnangagwa did not only show love to these children on this day as she regularly gives the homes food, blankets, clothes and other necessities.

She has a passion for the welfare of women and children as she spares no effort to ensure they are well-catered for and provided with the necessary teachings to become morally upright.

Such was yesterday’s party; it was pregnant with life lessons, grooming a well-mannered girl and boy child. Women councillors from across the political divide and different provinces came out in full support of Dr Mnangagwa’s first-of-its-kind programme, which they praised, adding that they were very eager to join her impactful programmes. To show their commitment and in support of the First Lady’s love and hard work, the female councillors mobilised resources from their pockets and bought several goods which they donated to the Angel of Hope Foundation for use at Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Children’s Home in Chiredzi and First Lady’s Skills Development Centre in Mbare.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa helps with the fire for cooking during the celebrations

They handed over building materials, kitchen utensils that include pots, plates, cups, buckets, fire stoves and stationery, among many other items.

Together with the children, Amai Mnangagwa prepared sumptuous and nutritious dishes, which she served and shared with the children in a warm atmosphere. The children were putting into practice what Amai taught them during her Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba sessions. They were cooking, baking corn bread, preparing vegetables and dressing chickens.

Amai Mnangagwa marvelled at seeing the fruits of her labour. The First Lady decided to spend the day with the children, showing how she embraces everyone despite their background, as she also demonstrated that everyone has a duty to see to it that children are moulded and provided with care.

The children showcased their talents through singing, modelling, drama and poems.

Children cut onions and tomatoes as part of preparations for the Valentine’s Day celebrations at Harare Children’s Home

They also danced to music, with some proving their mettle on the dance floor, much to the delight of their host. In her address, the mother of the nation made it clear to the children that Valentine’s Day was not solely for romantic relationships but considered a day to celebrate all forms of love, including friendships, family bonds and even self-love.

“Today is a day for the children na Amai vavo, celebrating together and showing love as one family,” said Dr Mnangagwa.

“My children, do you understand what Valentine’s Day is about? Back then, when we were growing up, we never celebrated this day. All we knew was herding goats and cattle in the village.”

One of the children responded: “Amai, I know it as a day for people to show love to one another, regardless of their relationship.”Another one responded: “It is a day of showing love to the ones you love and extending gifts to them.” A child from one of the children’s homes described love poetically. “Love does not harm but protects, so it is a day to show love to each other as friends, families or lovers. Love does not discriminate.”

Some of the children follow proceedings during the Valentine’s Day celebrations hosted by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa

Another child said the day was for caring for your loved ones.“It is a day of caring for each other even if you are not romantically involved,” said the child.

A boy who was among the children added: “It is a day to express words of love to someone special in your heart, your beautiful queen, and to give them flowers and other gifts.”

Another child said: “It is a day for people in love to exchange flowers.” Amai Mnangagwa said she was impressed by the children’s responses and corrected them on what the day really entails.

“I am happy with everything you have said, my children. As your mother, I have brought love to you. You are valuable, and I have come to unite you as one family, placing you in your rightful position as children. A good child does not go to school without combing their hair. A mother will always say, ‘My child, fix this first.’  “That is motherly love.

Children perform a play to raise awareness on teenage pregnancies, and drug and substance abuse during a Valentine’s Day party hosted for them by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa

“Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic relationships. I have come to teach you to grow up united and to love each other as siblings in one family.

“At your age, you are not yet ready for romantic relationships, kissing or sleeping with each other.

“You are still experiencing motherly love because you are young, my children.

“I want you to grow up morally upright. Girls, protect your bodies. Boys, do not touch your sister’s breasts — if you do that, you lose your dignity. Respect your bodies; do not let anyone touch your private parts. It is my wish to see you succeed in the future. So, say no to sexual relationships before the right time. In a family, I also encourage love to keep families strong and united. “For this Valentine’s celebration, I have come to mould you into children of good character.”

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa dishes out cupcakes to children drawn from 25 children’s homes during Valentine’s Day celebrations in Harare

Dr Mnangagwa then engaged the children in a cultural quiz as part of lessons for the day.

She asked: “What do you call a young one of a dog?”

One child responded: “Mbwanana.”

“What about the young one of a goat?” she continued. “Mbudzana,” came the response from one child.

Some of the cakes brought by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for the children drawn from 25 children’s homes during Valentine’s Day celebrations she hosted at Harare Children’s Home

“What about a snake?” Amai Mnangagwa continued. “Nzvenzvana,” said one child, before Amai Mnangagwa asked the child to spell the word and she did it correctly.

“What do you do when you see an elderly person struggling to carry something heavy?” came another  question. One child responded: “As a child, I help them carry the load and walk with them to their destination.”

Amai went on to teach them good manners when talking to elders. She also spoke against drugs and substance abuse.

“I am happy that you did not discriminate against each other. You are from different homes and some of you have never met but today muri kuita senge mabuda mumba imwe chete, muri kuratidzana rudo as brothers and sisters,” said Amai Mnangagwa.

Some of the cakes brought by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for the children drawn from 25 children’s homes during Valentine’s Day celebrations she hosted at Harare Children’s Home

“This is the kind of love we, as parents, want — celebrating together as a family, sharing the little we have, playing, enjoying ourselves and eating nutritious food.”

She thanked foster mothers and carers for looking after the children.

The children went back to their homes with smiles all over their faces after receiving gifts, red roses, sanitary pads and stationery from the First Lady.

Councillor Alice Mudhuchwa from Shurugwi Town Council Ward 11 thanked the First Lady for her philanthropic work, saying she has helped to uplift the underprivileged.

“As female councillors, we went to Chiredzi to visit Amai’s children’s home,” she said.

“We were touched by what we saw there; we were very impressed by the work Amai is doing by taking children off the streets and from different places.

“She is even helping children who were addicted to drugs and substance abuse; and this has gone a very long way in helping address this problem in our society.

“Some of the children are being uplifted and are even going on to do various courses in schools.

“So, we were very touched by that as female councillors and we saw it fit to also support Amai from our own pockets.

“This is just the beginning; we are going to do more to help Amai because looking after orphans is part of our culture.

“So, we are going to be walking all the way along with Amai and continue praying for her so that she continues doing her good works.”

Councillor (proportional representation) Shungu Tsomondo from the Norton Town Council praised the First Lady for her amazing philanthropy, which she said was helping rid society of many ills such as child marriages.

“Last Christmas we went to Chambuta, where we saw the great works being done by Amai,” she said.

“She is looking after orphans and taking children off the streets and also taking them through school.

“So, as female councillors, we were so touched by what we saw and decided to support Amai from our own pockets without expecting any compensation. We just want to support the very good works that are being done by Amai.

“Her work is helping with the eradication of drug and substance abuse as well as early marriages.

“So, we have been very touched as mothers and this is only the beginning and we shall continue to support Amai’s great works.”

Mvurwi town secretary Dr Sherry Nyakudya said: “I am here representing female town secretaries as we accompany our female councillors who have done a very wonderful thing by coming in to try and complement the First Lady’s great works of looking after orphans.

“This came up last year after the female councillors went to Chambuta, where they witnessed the happiness that engulfed the children there as the First Lady hosted a Christmas party for them.

“They then pooled their funds to help out in their small way so that they can do their small bit in uplifting the great works being done by Amai to ensure that even orphans have a good life, the same as their counterparts who still have their parents.

“Amai does not select; she doesn’t care about your background or where you come from; she accommodates everyone.”

One of the children who participated in yesterday’s event said they had learnt a lot from interacting with the First Lady.

“We celebrated Valentine’s Day with our mother today,” she said.

“Our mother came to teach us that love doesn’t choose; love is everything. You can even love someone you don’t know as long as you are giving them love, be it brotherly, sisterly or motherly love.

“She also taught us that after cooking and eating, we must clean up our mess and be good and well-mannered children.

“We want to thank Amai because we had a very good time.”

Another child echoed the same sentiments.

“Amai came to show us love today. She gave us presents. I was also served food by the First Lady today. Thank you Amai for your love, may the Lord protect and guide you. You are very special to us. Kana muripo kudai, hatisi nherera Amai.”

Another boy who participated in the festivities thanked the First Lady for her kindness.

“We thank Amai for the gifts she gave us today since it was Valentine’s Day.

As children, we thought Valentine’s Day was only for those who are romantically in love. But Amai taught us that the day is not just for those who are romantically involved but it is a day to show love to everyone, it may be your sister, your grandmother or your mother or anyone.

“It doesn’t mean that you have to buy a present for them but maybe showing them love by doing all the household chores.

“For that, we thank her and ask God to protect her.”

Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume praised the mother of the nation for her comprehensive and inclusive social interventions.

“Amai, I thank you heartily for this programme where you have invited us,” he said.

“Nhasi, Amai mauya nenyaya yerudo, which is the centrepiece of your legacy.

“We thank you for the work you are doing, of spreading love.

“The way you came about with this programme is an act of God because you remembered our vulnerable children.

“We also thank you for the Chambuta project, where you are housing children who were taken off the streets.

“We are also grateful for the programme you started in Mbare at the First Lady’s Skills Development Centre.”

Mr Shingirai Paungano from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said: “Amai, as a ministry, we thank you for this programme.

“Toshuvira kuti chiitiko ichi chiitike every year.

“Thank you, Amai, for leading the way on how to express love to our children.

“Often, children who live in homes are forgotten, but you always prioritise them.

“This is in line with the leaving no one and no place behind mantra.

“You have taught these children that they should love one another as sisters and brothers.

“Amai, we are grateful for this.”