By Bigboy Madzivanzira
Hwindis at Mbare, a free artificial limb, and Ubuntu that restores dignity
HARARE – In a time when many charge for everything, one bus driver has proved that humanity still travels free.
Mr Willy from Mapfumo Village under Chief Njerere in Gokwe, who lost his ability to walk, had sent his artificial limb to Harare for repair under the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program of Health Promotion Clinic Trust and CAN (CBR) Africa Network Zimbabwe.
The repaired prosthetic leg needed to get back to Gokwe urgently so Willy could walk again.
The Director of Health Promotion Clinic Trust, Bigboy Madzivanzira, took the limb to Mbare Musika on Thursday.
“I went to Mbare and got the popular guys maWindies to assist. They took me to buses for Gokwe. I saw CAG buses and I am familiar with them on my travels to Masvingo, Gokwe and my home area Chiweshe,” narrated Madzivanzira.
At the CAG bay, he met Mr Chirume, a driver with CAG Travellers Coaches.
“I explained it was an artificial leg for someone at Mapfumo who was not walking and he had sent it for repair. I took money from my pocket to pay. Mr Chirume said, all parcels are paid for and receipted. But my God and even my company allows me to carry it for free.”
That single act means Willy in Mapfumo will walk again.
Mr Chirume refused payment, saying his faith and his company allow him to assist such humanitarian cases without charge.
Bigboy Madzivanzira said this is what Disability Inclusive Development should look like.
“We are writing this in thanking the company. We need to have official contacts so that CAN Africa Network and Health Promotion Clinic Trust can have a partner arrangement in helping persons with disabilities. Mr Chirume may God reward you more through the good company you work for,” he said.
In rural Zimbabwe, transport of assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches and artificial limbs is a major challenge. Many persons with disabilities fail to get their devices because of high parcel fees.
Health Promotion Clinic Trust is now appealing to CAG Travellers Coaches to formalize this kindness into a partnership for transporting assistive devices to rural areas across Zimbabwe.
This story is a reminder: Ubuntu is not dead. One leg, one bus, one driver with a good heart, can restore a man’s dignity.
About the Author:
Bigboy Madzivanzira is the Director of Health Promotion Clinic Trust (HPCT) and the Zimbabwe Representative for CAN (CBR) Africa Network. He is a Community Based Rehabilitation practitioner passionate about disability inclusive development, health promotion and rural community empowerment.
Cell: 0773 367 913 | Email: healthpromotionclinic@gmail.com