Angel of Hope/ZOU courses help communities

Scores of graduates in Matebeleland North Province have benefitted from the life changing skill courses introduced by Angel of Hope Foundation in partnership with Zimbabwe Open University.

The graduates, most of whom are women, benefited from short courses in Agriculture, Cultural Heritage, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Early Childhood development, Basic Computer Literacy, Basic Counselling, Basic Records Management, Basic Nurse Aide Palliative Care for the Elderly.

Of the 1 683 graduates, 251 were from Nkayi with the remainder from Hwange district.

The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa was represented at the colourful certificate handover ceremony by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matebeleland North, Richard Moyo. The event was punctuated by entertainment from Pezhuba Pachena Cultural Ensemble, Lwendulu Primary School Traditional Dance group and Rachel Nyasha Njomboro.

In her speech, the First Lady said the 1 683 Angel of Hope Foundation beneficiaries will be ambassadors and mentors on a mission to serve their communities.

“With so much trust invested in you, as the Angel of Hope Foundation/ ZOU partnership alumni armed certificates, I unapologetically challenge you to lead by example as you take leading roles in preventing community members from peddling and consuming intoxicating drugs and illicit substances now threatening Zimbabwe’s futuristic projection entrusted in our youths,” she said.

She said Angel of Hope Foundation /ZOU partnership short courses are poised to reach all corners of Zimbabwe as knowledge and learning are the basis for renewal and transformation of the once marginalised communities.

“No place and no one must be left behind in accessing quality education here in Matebeleland North Province to the communities in Lupane, Binga, Bubi, Umguza, Tsholotsho, Nkayi and here in Hwange.

The short training programme is an inclusive and an ongoing initiative meant to benefit disadvantaged community members despite individual situation or circumstances,” she said.

She added that watching without acting was like digging our own graves as families and communities, thus encouraging “Chimurenga Che Pfungwa” would help the country confront societal ills using education as a weapon.