Touching lives: Widow builds home for homeless children in Mufakose

By Clemence Muchedzi

The Founder of Wings of Grace Trust, Winnet Gwanzura is building a home in Mufakose that will cater to the homeless children in the community. The organization looks after the needs of vulnerable children in Mufakose.

Gogo Gwanzura said she feels pity for the neglected children and it was her drive to build the home for the homeless.

“The house I currently stay with the children belongs to the whole family. I fear that if I die the children may become homeless again. My health has also deteriorated due to old age. I struggle with blood pressure and diabetes. I want to rest in peace knowing that I left the children with a place they call home, living peacefully without the fear of being chased away,” she said.

Gogo Gwanzura said it was hard to acquire the stand. She reminisces when back in 1992 when she used to pay monthly service charges for the property to the City of Harare from her own earnings.

“As time went by, it was no longer enough as the council was demanding more and I was no longer working. The council wanted to take back the stand due to my failure to meet their demands. I got help from a Canadian. He gave me the money for the outstanding instalments and he has also pledged to build a home for the children. He made my dream of building a home for the neglected children come true,” Gogo Gwanzura said.

Although she applauds the support she is getting from the Canadian donor, she said her trust was facing setbacks while helping vulnerable children.

“Ever since the council has been changing Mayors, it has become difficult for us to finish paperwork as we are now left with one document to sign since 1992. We have been working with different Mayors hence the progress has stalled. Churches in the community at large help sometimes with food, clothes and payment of school fees,” she added.

Gogo urged society to have Ubuntu regarding neglected children in the country.

“Psalms 123 says ‘the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want and I believe God gives me strength to soldier on and take care of the children. You are what you are today because of someone, let’s have love towards vulnerable children. Do not segregate children. Never call them names. Show them, real love, because they deserve it like any other children,” said Gogo Gwanzura.