Beaven Dhliwayo, Group Features Editor
More than 120 orphans in Epworth were treated to an early Christmas when the Hunan Business Association in Zimbabwe donated food hampers and school fees payment on Sunday.
Children were happy at Maguta Secondary School in Epworth as they received goodies and participated in various activities which included singing, and dancing.
Hunan was the birthplace of popular communist revolutionary, Mao Zedong, who became the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and the founding father of the People’s Republic of China.
In an interview with The Daily News Hunan Business Association in Zimbabwe chairperson Zhuolin Song said they had donate to the underprivileged four times a year.
“We have a donation four times a year so we are taking the donation from all members donating cash and goods which will be given to the orphans. Last year we gave to the mothers of the disabled kids, but this year we decided to come to this area to give to orphans,” said Song who grew up in Zimbabwe.
“Social workers or aunties or uncles either raise the children we are giving. We are going to pay school fees for 20 learners who are academically gifted. We want to support them. We are actually buying their stationery and giving them uniforms.
“It’s a combination of high school and primary school learners. Each family will also receive food hampers including cooking oil, sugar, soap, mealie meal, and tomato sauce. We are giving to 150 people today. We started in 2009 and I am the fourth chairman now,” he said.
Going forward, Song said they would be following the Chinese ancient saying that instead of giving people fish you got to teach them how to fish.
“If we are more financially capable, we better do training schools for the special skills. Teaching all the orphans the kids how to do things like carpentry,” he further said.
One of the beneficiaries, a learner at St Dominic Convent in Harare, who was adopted by Chinese foster parents, Jubilance Chipunza, said life had never been the same after she met her new parents.
“I grew up in Epworth. I had no one to take care of my basic needs including decent meals and someone to pay my fees,” she said.
“I was then adopted by my Chinese parents who are now taking care of all my needs. Words are not enough to express my gratitude to them.”
Rudo Chandoza, a beneficiary could not hide her joy saying this was an early Christmas for them and the kids.
“We are very pleased and humbled by this noble gesture from the Chinese community. I stay with my late brothers’ children and this is a huge relief for me since I am not gainfully employed.
“They are even paying fees for the kids. I had arrears and I am glad they cleared everything and even paid fees for the whole of next year. They will be providing everything and for that, we are very grateful,” said an elated Chandoza.
Mrs Enety Mukono who is also a social worker thanked Chinese businesses and individuals for the gesture.
“As a social worker, I closely work with underprivileged kids in Epworth. We are thankful for the support we received today. The food, blankets, and toys will greatly improve the lives of the children and their guardians. We thank them a lot and it really lessens our burden as social workers in terms of providing for the kids.
“Interestingly they promised to keep on supporting our kids up to tertiary level and probably arrange exchange programs in China for the bright students so that they appreciate the Chinese culture and way of doing business,” she said.
Mrs Zvisinei Mpofu was on cloud nine over the early Christmas treat.
“I am more than grateful for the groceries which l received. At least we will have decent holidays since l was actually between a hard rock and a surface on how to make ends meet during this holiday. Our prayers are that the Almighty continues to bless our all-weather Chinese friends who showed us that true love and generosity exists,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Winnet Katyamakwara thanked the Chinese business people and individuals for financially supporting them through paying school fees for academically gifted learners.
“It is hard staying with an orphan trying to balance logistics considering the burden of having your own children. I was struggling to pay fees for the four children l stay with but that burden has been lessened thanks to the Chinese community for offering to pay the fees,” she said.