By Ashley Moyo
GOSPEL musician Gift Mahlupeka has celebrated his birthday with children living with disabilities at Kudakwashe Home in Stoneridge, Harare.
The Zvinoita Mwari singer brought smiles to 30 children housed at the centre as he shared a piece of cake with them over the weekend.
In addition, his company — Timcon Construction — with huge interests in timber, steel and construction — donated food stuffs and utensils to the home.
“Children are a blessing from God and we should celebrate with them.
“It has always been my dream to share a moment of happiness with the less privileged and I am glad that my wish has been granted,” the Chimanimani-born artiste said.
Mahlupeka is one of the musicians who are doing well in the business sector going by how his timber and construction company is currently performing.
The home was established in 2015 by Rachel Ziki, who says she has a huge heart for vulnerable children.
“Kudakwashe is now a home to 30 children mainly living with disabilities.
‘‘We have children aged between four years and 17 years.
‘‘The majority of the children here are first-borns in their families, they came here because they were not loved or they were neglected by their parents,” Ziki said.
She urged parents to embrace people with disabilities in society.
“I took the children in after realising they were neglected by the people who are supposed to care for them.
‘‘To my surprise, the parents are not even worried about how their children are living here. They do not even ask,” she said.
Ziki told journalists during the handover ceremony that she started the home out of passion to help the needy and neglected in society.
She said her late husband was supportive of the idea, which has seen a number of well-wishers chipping in with assistance.
“At least 10 of the children here can’t go to the toilet on their own, but we thank God, who has been giving us the strength to handle the situation.
‘‘However, we are having challenges in taking the children to school transport-wise. We have a car that we use to ferry them to school but it always breaks down,” she said.
