MARONDERA - Talent Nyika was brought to Mushawevana Children's Home at the age of eight. He was found abandoned in the streets of Marondera. Next year he will be turning 18 and will have to leave the home.
“I do not want to leave this place. It is my home. However, when I get to 18 I have to leave, just like other children who were here before me. I hope to quickly find employment so that I will be able to fend for myself,” said Talent.
Unemployment rate in Zimbabwe is believed to be more than 80 percent. Most industries collapsed after the chaotic land reforms of 2000.
Marondera Mayor Farai Nyandoro who has worked closely with the childrens home since 2005, said that the council would welcome help from people to set up half way centres where children like Talent can be looked after until they can fend for themselves.
We want to make sure that children are not abandoned when they get to the age of 18. We urge the community to help. I understand that an average of three children graduate from the college every year, so it will be wise to set up a house for them, said Nyandoro.
Arkmate, an Information Technology company that has over the years been looking at the welfare of the children, has promised to help the children and employ those who excel in their studies. Talent is completing his O-levels and would like to continue with his education. Although Arkmate can sponsor his further education, his problem is he will have nowhere to live. I do not have relatives that can take me in. Mushawevana is my only home this is my family and I find it hard to leave my brothers and sisters. Living at the childrens home is the best thing in my life.”
Mushawevana Children’s Home shelters over a 100 children who live in four housing units. Most of the children came to the home as infants after their parents abandoned them. The Marondera community along with the churches have been instrumental in helping the children obtain basic standards of life such as education, food and shelter. “Our youngest child is 1 year 3 months she came from Marondera Hospital and we have been taking care of her since. Our oldest is 17 and all our children go to school.
“The community and companies such as Arkmate have been very helpful in helping us feed and clothe the children,” said the matron Monica Gweshe. Come next year Talent will have to leave the only place he ever called a home, and brothers and sisters who he never had. Unless if a good Samaritan comes Talent like other children before him will be abandoned again and possibly live in the streets.
Post published in: Opinions