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By Clayton Masekesa
MUTARE – A Mutare-based charitable organization – Touch A Life Movement (TALM) – has come to the rescue of a physically challenged resident who had appealed for assistance through social media.
Bernard Mlambo, with his two daughters, had appeared on various WhatsApp groups appealing for assistance on school fees, food, and accommodation.
Mlambo and his family were thrown out of his lodgings and were staying at a bar at Sakubva Bus Terminus.
Touched by Mlambo’s plight, TALM last Thursday donated cash and groceries to his family.
TALM is a group of gallant residents of Mutare who came up together with initiatives that highlight their commitment to uplifting the lives of various vulnerable members of the community.
The organization has a committee that runs the affairs.
The groceries donated to Mlambo included maize meal, rice, cooking oil, and flour. TALM handed US$115 cash to him.
In an interview with this publication on the sidelines of the handing-over ceremony, TALM chairman Itai ‘Mabhobho’ Kariparire said the organization was touched by Mlambo’s plight.
“We were touched by the plight of Mr. Mlambo and decided to give him urgent assistance. So as Touch A Life Movement we gave Mr. Mlambo US$90 for rent and US$25 for the bus fare for Mrs. Mlambo who is recovering from illness at her home to come back. TALM will keep paying his rent for the next three months and donating groceries to this family,” said Kariparire.
“We also like to empower Mrs. Mlambo so that she can start her own business and help provide for the family. Mr. Mlambo is still in need of help. We are encouraging others to come on board. The door is open. TALM is fulfilling God’s mission. Anyone is free to join TALM and give to the needy,” he said.
TALM vice chairman Tinofirei Madombi said: “May God richly bless you all for the gifts and hope you have given to Mr. Mlambo to believe again. This fulfills the passage in the scripture where God says; ‘You saw me hungry and you fed me, and you saw me naked and clothed me.”
He added: “We give not because we have, but because God has given us that which we give. God is faithful always, so let’s keep sawing good and we shall reap good.”
Mlambo’s children have been taken care of by Simukai Child Protection Program in Mutare.
Simukai Child Protection Program is a registered Private Voluntary Organization established in 2000 as a community response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children in all the seven districts of Manicaland Province with the headquarters being in Mutare District.
Simukai seeks to develop children to their full potential and facilitate their transition into productive and responsible members of society.
Formed this year, TALM donates and assists various vulnerable groups in society monthly. So far it has donated groceries among other goods to Zororai Old Peoples’ Home and Chengetai Special School in Mutare.
It has also donated blankets to the elderly people in Mutare during this winter period.