A MISSION by two Latrobe Valley women to provide hope for an impoverished community in Zimbabwe is growing.
In 2013, The Express contacted Oferia Kicheni-Parr and Agnes Chikanda after seeing flyers in the community for Days of Hope, an initiative to send items needed for basic living to disadvantaged families in their hometown of Dzivaresekwa, Harare.
Community donations began to flow and the pair soon had a full shipping container to send.
Travelling across the Valley to collect donations, the women have now packed another two containers and shipped them off last week.
“As members of the global village, our aim is to join hands with those who have the passion to give, so that together we can change the lives of those living in severe poverty,” Ms Kicheni-Parr said.
Acting as the catalyst for other projects, the shipping container’s delivery gave way to initiatives including a sewing group with donated sewing and knitting machines and a soon-to-be constructed community learning centre.
Recalling one of the most poignant moments in her trips to Zimbabwe, Ms Kicheni-Parr said a woman broke down crying when she was told she could provide her disabled mother with a wheelchair purchased at the Cooinda Hill op shop in Traralgon.
The containers are packed with special donations including musical instruments, computers, books, printers, sports gear and uniforms, footballs, sewing and knitting machines, fabrics of all sorts, clothes for all ages, shoes, blankets and other goods.
“People from all walks of life have given us great support,” Ms Kicheni-Parr said.
“The clothes will dress the naked and the books will rekindle the spirit of education to those children who have given up hope due to reasons of poverty.
“With these wonderful donations, lives of many poor people will be changed; we would like to say “thank you” to all our generous donors across Latrobe Valley.”
For more information about Days of Hope phone 5166 1847.
