WOMAN REGAINS MOBILITY, DIGNITY THROUGH WHEELCHAIR DONATION FROM NFT
Staff Reporter
Mwenezi, – A 51-year-old woman from Flora-Erasmus Village in Mwenezi, who had been immobile for years following a road accident, has regained her independence after receiving a wheelchair from the Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT).
The donation has brought renewed hope and dignity to Ms. Tambudzai Mabika, who had been confined to a wheelbarrow for movement since 2017 due to her condition.
NFT Director, Mr. Pick Nkomwa, said the organisation remained committed to promoting inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly in rural communities.
“We are very thankful to our partners for providing this opportunity to extend this help. A wheelchair helps a woman with a disability navigate her environment independently, giving her greater control over her life and daily routine,” he said.
“This independence is crucial for personal empowerment and leads to freedom of movement and boosted self-confidence. Without a wheelchair, many women with disabilities are restricted to their homes or institutions,” he added.
An emotional Ms. Mabika expressed deep gratitude for the life-changing donation, saying it had restored her dignity and improved her quality of life.
“I am short of words on how to thank NFT for helping me acquire a wheelchair. My mobility was compromised, even to go and use ablution facilities. I am extremely grateful for this gesture,” she said.
Her husband, Mr. Rangarirai Chuma, said the donation had not only eased his wife’s suffering but also relieved him of the constant responsibility of assisting her.
“My wife had tremendous problems in trying to cater for herself before the donation of the wheelchair. It also took much of my productive time that I should have been using to make ends meet for the family. I thank Nkomwa Foundation Trust for coming to our rescue,” he said.
Mr. Nkomwa said the Foundation would continue to mobilise resources and partnerships to support persons with disabilities, particularly women, whose access to assistive devices remains limited in remote areas.
NFT works to promote inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe, in line with the country’s disability policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.