The Air Force of Zimbabwe through its charity initiatives remains committed to transforming disadvantaged communities and empowering those living with disabilities to ensure everyone can contribute fully, Commander AFZ Air Marshal Elson Moyo has said.
Since its inception in 2011, the Commander AFZ Charity Fund (CAZCF) has helped hundreds of people living with disabilities as part of its humanitarian work and built several schools and clinics in disadvantaged communities throughout the country.
Handing over wheelchairs at AFZ headquarters, Air Marshal Moyo said the AFZ aimed to continue growing its charity and humanitarian initiatives for the betterment of the nation.
The wheelchairs were donated to CAZCF by Minerva Risk Advisors and Life International.
“As we approach the end of the year, it is a time to reflect on our blessings and at the same time remember those who are disadvantaged,” he said. “We are gathered here to respond to the plight of some of the physically challenged members within our communities.
“We are, therefore, handing over assistive devices to some of our citizens with paraplegic or spinal cord injuries that make it difficult for them to be mobile without assistance.”
The wheelchairs were being given against the background of an environment where individuals and companies are recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic which increased the number of vulnerable people throughout the country.
“In this period, the first option for most is to focus on their own requirements,” said Air Marshal Moyo. “However, the reality is that the Covid-19 pandemic not only claimed the lives of our loved ones, but it increased the number of vulnerable individuals and communities through the restrictions imposed in order to contain the pandemic.”
It was pleasing that there were companies and organisations that had put the needs of the less privileged ahead of their requirements.
Zimbabwe had over 1.5 million people who live with disabilities in one form or another and many who needed devices such as wheelchairs were not getting them.
It has also been noted with great concern that most of these people do not have assistive devices that enable them to function independently or with little or no assistance.
Now, all stakeholders act on empowering people living with disabilities by ensuring that those that are disabled are empowered to reach their full potential to national development.
Minerva Risk Advisors representative Mrs Moreblessing Hwata said her organisation will continue partnering departments and institutions on developmental issues as part of their community responsibility.
Life International projects manager Mr Aleck Dambudzo said it was time more organisations to put the plight of people living with disabilities as first priority.
“We would like to call upon various stakeholders and the country at large, lets come together so that we create an environment for persons living with disability, in terms of their mobility, in terms of getting them empowerment programs,” he said.
A beneficiary Mrs Patience Chawada of Mbire District whose 10 year old daughter was born with disability said the donation was a timely shot in the arm for her daughter.
“Given the high cost of assistive devices, the gesture is a shot in the arm for my daughter as well a commitment of leaving no one behind in development and inclusivity and equality. This shows that most societies are now beginning to see usefulness of people with disabilities,” she said. – The Herald
