Taurai Masvosve (25) found her mother cooking for a group of needy children one afternoon and decided to help out. Five years later, the two are running a non-governmental organisation, Dingulwazi Feeding Project, which carters for more than 30 orphans. The NGO was formed in April last year in the remote area of Rata in Mwenezi in Masvingo province. Masvosve realized that more and more orphaned children in the area were suffering abuse, neglect and general vulnerability.
She was also touched by the plight of disabled children who had never received any professional help due to economic hardships.
“Disabled girls are still forced to get married at an early age, while boys are being forced to seek employment, mostly in neighbouring countries,” said Masvosve, whose main role is sourcing funds to run the project.
Born in Zvishavane in 1987, she grew up in Bulawayo. She migrated to South Africa in 2005 and briefly worked as a housemaid. She went on to study Early Childhood Development with a local NGO, Pop-Up, which later employed her as a trainer.
“As a privileged woman working for a successful faith-based organization, I decided to work to improve life for people in my community,” she said.
“When I was trained, I got inspiration to become a city changer – hence my involvement with the orphans back home.”
Pop-Up was spearheaded by a group of women who came together after realizing the difficulties facing vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.
“Many children under our care are being abused and struggling for food, school fees, clothes, parental guidance,” she said.
Her vision is to transform the community and help fight stigma for those affected by HIV/Aids. She is also working towards self-sustainability and empowerment for the vulnerable by establishing income-generating projects such as soap-making, poultry and sewing. “Vulnerable children are easy targets of thugs, so we build technical and social survival skills for them,” said Masvosve.
Pop-Up also offers counselling, funding, income generating projects, and training for volunteers and early childhood care-givers.
Post published in: Africa News