The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Zanu PF Youth League has heightened efforts to fight Covid-19 by leveraging on its massive national reach.
The Youth League’s acting deputy national secretary, Cde Tendai Chirau, said the efforts are meant to complement Government in providing social safety for vulnerable members of society.
A delegation led by Cde Chirau on Friday visited Tichakunda Welfare Centre in Hatcliffe, Harare, where they donated an assortment of goods and also cleaned up the place.
“We have donated maize meal, rice, soya chunks, cooking oil, hand sanitisers, washable masks, litter bins, LP gas and sanitary pads to the orphanage so that our brothers and sisters do not starve or find themselves in needless discomfort during these trying times,” said Cde Chirau.
Last week, the Youth League’s Mashonaland West executive conducted a similar exercise that was designed to cover the province’s seven administrative districts.
Led by national secretary for indigenisation Cde Mike Chimombe, the team made stops in Mhangura, Karoi, Kariba and Chakari.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Cde Chimombe said the Youth League was doing all it can to support President Mnangagwa’s initiative to fight the coronavirus.
“Statistically, youths are the majority in this country. So we cannot remain idle on issues of national importance. We are using our numbers as the Zanu PF Youth League to ensure that we mobilise resources and reach every corner of this country,” said Cde Chimombe.
After donating food, sanitisers and personal protective equipment at Mhondoro Hospital, Karoi Children’s Home, Kariba Hospital and Chakari Clinic, Cde Chimombe said they were targeting mining communities for a reason.
“We are deliberately targeting mining areas because His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his wisdom decided that the economy could not remain closed. And so he opened, among many other industries, mining,” said Cde Chimombe.
“Because of the economic activities in mining areas, this means people that live there are at risk. We have to make sure we provide all the required material – sanitisers, masks, infrared thermometers, footbaths, gloves, goggles and food.”
Cde Chirau commended efforts by the Youth League executives around the country.
“The programme that the Mash West Youth League executive is running is very commendable. This falls under the broader programme of the National Youth League called the Covid-19 Youth Relief Initiative,” said Cde Chirau.
“In terms of Cde (Mike) Chimombe, he is a successful businessman in his own right and he has taken it upon himself to contribute to the party’s programmes.”
Receiving the donation, principal and owner of Tichakunda Welfare Centre, Amai Masaraure, said the gesture will go a long way in averting hunger.
“Things are difficult for us. We were struggling to feed these orphans due to Covid-19,” said Amai Masaraure.
The welfare centre is home to more than 50 orphans.
It is also an educational centre for more than 500 underprivileged children in the community.
The donation to the welfare centre also coincided with the National Clean-Up Day.
In addition to cleaning the place, the delegation also established a nutritional garden for the orphanage.
Hygiene and nutrition issues are at the core of the national fight to contain, curb and mitigate Covid-19.
Also present at the handover ceremony were Youth League national executive members Cde Christine Taruwona, Cde Mercy Mugomo, Harare DCCs Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Mahachi, Cde Shillo and Cde Madziya.
The Zimbabwe Young Nurses’ Association and some final-year medical students from the University of Zimbabwe took turns to provide invaluable expert advice to children on Covid-19 and other hygiene-related issues.
