Lesego Memorial Trust marks another milestone in child welfare
Kelvin Kutinyo
Gwanda based Non Governmental Organisation, Lesego Memorial Trust continues to make significant strides towards supporting child welfare following the conclusion of its 4th annual high tea fundraiser at Palm River Lodge in Gwanda.
The annual high tea event was a charity fundraiser dedicated towards supporting child protection initiatives and humanitarian efforts for orphaned and vulnerable children.
Lesego Memorial Trust founder and team lead, Gugulethu Mnkandhla, emphasized the importance of considering the well-being of the community and the need for collective progress and prosperity.
“I would like to reiterate one of Cesar Chavez’s quotes which states we cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”
“During the event, we also managed to raise resources for one of our academic scholarships beneficiaries who has finished grade 7 for her upkeep next year. We are now in need of someone to sponsor her tuition either at a day school or boarding school,” she said.
She also expressed thanks to the Gwanda community for prioritizing children’s welfare and protection, emphasizing that their collective support is tremendous.
“I extend gratitude to the Gwanda community for their consideration of children’s wellbeing and protection. Their support is immense and proves it takes a village”, said Gugulethu Mnkandhla.
Humanitarian efforts by local NGOs, such as Lesego Memorial Trust, prioritize providing basic necessities, education, healthcare, and psychosocial support. Their initiatives promote children’s rights, implement community based programs, and facilitate foster care and adoption services.
Ensuring a brighter future for marginalized groups, it has also become a mandate to mobilize increased funding, invest in capacity building, and foster community engagement, ultimately strengthening the safety net and support systems that protect them.
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic principal, Dr. Moyo, gave a keynote address emphasizing the transformative power of education and the need to support disadvantaged children.
“I am moved by the work that Lesego Memorial Trust undertakes to support children in Gwanda district. The Trust’s commitment to addressing the complex needs of vulnerable children, from providing academic scholarships and basic needs to building safe learning spaces and advocating for their rights is both impactful and inspiring.”
“This is not just charity, it is a commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and creating a brighter future for every child touched by their work. When you give to this cause, you are investing in a child’s future, in their ability to rise above circumstances, and in their potential to one day give back to this community and beyond,” said Dr Moyo.
“Children are the most precious and vulnerable members of our communities, and they need protection, guidance, and education to grow into healthy, empowered adults. If we don’t invest in them now, we will all bear the consequences of a generation denied opportunities, a generation left to struggle rather than thrive. A scholarship for one child today is the promise of a doctor, a teacher, a leader, a parent who will advocate for others tomorrow”, added Dr Moyo.
She also shared her personal story of overcoming adversity, from being a rural girl to earning a PhD, thanks to a scholarship which she attained. The timely gesture comes at a critical juncture, as the country struggles to safeguard the welfare of orphaned and vulnerable children, amidst compounding challenges of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and limited access to education and healthcare.
