Hope for orphans

What is your background and how did you come up with the idea for the Orphans Guardian Angels project?

I was born and grew up with my uncle in rural Murewa where I also attended primary and secondary school. It was tough putting food on the table every day as my single mother worked as a nanny all her life.

My uncle was jobless, we worked on livelihood projects and depended on the produce to sell and buy us food or clothes. My mother tried her best to provide my school fees but it was never enough for me to stay in school every semester. I still believe this prepared me for where I am today.

I know how these children feel so I wanted to empower them by setting up Orphans Guardian Angels. OGA is a non-profit organisation that provides for the welfare, healthcare and educational needs of orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. Our vision is to make orphans’ dreams come true and our goal is to keep every orphan in class, protected and cared for.

Our mission is to care for the orphans and help their guardians with medical treatment and education and preventive health education.

What makes OGA any different from other organisations in the country?

OGA aims to empower both the orphans and the guardians with livelihood skills. We aim to transform the whole person, physically, spiritually and emotionally.

With a global recession and increasing donor reluctance for projects, how is your organisation prepared for the struggles of modern-day Zimbabwe?

It is true that it may seem a daunting task, but the community’s response and the success of some of the projects we have been involved in so far makes me proud and feel that I am almost there. Co-operation and hard work will get me where I want to be.

How do you balance your nursing career, family, church, and the OGA?

I have to admit that it is hard, I work nights in my nursing job, come home and prepare my girls for school, attend church and do work for OGA. This organisation is my passion and I thank God my girls are grown up now and can help me.

My girls have a heart for OGA; they opened OGA boys and girls club in 2010 in Zimbabwe. Since our mission trip in 2010, my girls have been to churches, companies and malls asking for donations and school supplies for OGA.

My mother, my sister and friends have been very encouraging and support me financially because currently I am the only OGA sponsor. Until we get donors for our projects, I will continue to work hard because I cannot afford to leave my job to work full time on OGA.

Does your career in nursing inspire you to be involved in charity work?

I chose to go into nursing because I wanted to work with children and the community infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. When I am on the ground, it does help because I do health education and Pastor Norman Zakeyo (OGA secretary) does Pastoral counseling.

Apart from setting up OGA, what are some of the highlights from your life?

Standing up for my beliefs as a Christian. I am not afraid to talk about Jesus wherever I go. To be like Jesus is my prayer.

What message do you have for people out there who want to follow a similar path to yours?

I would simply encourage them to help orphans to realize their dreams. They should be focused and endure the criticism and hardships that come with success.

To find out more about OGA or to make a donation, contact the office on 00263777455745.