Elderly Dream That Needs Support

There are currently 31 boys and 32 girls all under 18 years, being groomed at Chimembe orphanage There are currently 31 boys and 32 girls all under 18 years, being groomed at Chimembe orphanage - pic by Moses Masiye

The future of a dream aimed at taking care of some vulnerable orphans, semi- orphans and street children hatched 20 years ago, may return to dream land if no well-wishers come in to keep the dreamer's vision awake.

72-year-old Gogo Sonia Chumachiyenda of Chilomoni residential area in Blantyre is the brainchild behind Chimembe orphan care Organisation currently striving to provide care, support and protection through shelter, food and education.

She told Zodiak Online that an initiative she started in 2002 when she was somehow energetic at 50, is looking blurry.

"At 72 now, my energy levels are fading out for me to provide for all the needy children we currently have.

"There are 40 children in need of shelter, but we are able to provide for only 15 because we do not have adequate space," said Gogo Chumachiyenda.

“I am also failing to run the affairs of the facility fully and thank God that I have a strong team of energetic youth taking over from me gradually, despite their lack of financial and material support to beef up their strong passion I cannot hesitate to recommend,” she added.

Catherine Samudeni entrusted with the role of director says Gogo Chumachiyenda was providing for the children from the onset, but cannot afford now, thus the call for more well-wishers to come in to bail out these vulnerable children in the commercial city's suburb.

"Apart from the 15 children we are providing shelter for, there are about 40 or more others in need of shelter on top of the 62 under our feeding program," said Samudeni adding that most of these also require educational materials and support.

She says the facility currently provides lodging facilities for all applicable orphans at Gogo Chumachiyenda’s residence in Chilomoni, Blantyre.

A minimum nursery education is available for infants while primary school as well as secondary school learners are monitored by following up with their teachers in the government schools they attend.

Penjani Kaponda, social media manager for Chimembe orphanage calls for support towards meals, utility and hospital bills, educational materials among others to sustain Gogo Chumachiyenda's vision.

Kaponda says:- "There are of late more orphans and street children due to urbanization, industrialization, death due HIV/AIDS, re-marriage of deserted, widowed, divorced women, children neglect as well as unwanted pregnancies among some.

"As a result, these orphans and street children are left without care and some end up in pick pocketing and participating in anti-social as well as criminal activities, thus our coming in to provide care, support and protection in our Orphaned children’s home."

There are currently 31 boys and 32 girls all under 18 years, being groomed at Chimembe orphanage to become good leaders and responsible citizens.

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