Capitalk Reporter/The Herald |  9 months ago | top

Hundreds of people in Mashonaland Central, including ladies of the night, widows, members of child-headed families and the disabled, yesterday completed training in detergent-making facilitated by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, through her Angel of Hope Foundation and its partners.

Those who completed training were given certificates of completion from the Angel of Hope Foundation and starter-packs to immediately set up their projects. They made petroleum jelly, dishwashing liquid, and toilet cleaners, among other products.

Amai Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s health ambassador, is working hard to take ladies of the night off the streets as she continues with her drive to leave no one behind. The aim is to rehabilitate and economically empower them so that they leave the world’s oldest profession.

In addition, the First Lady gave food hampers and toiletries to everyone who attended. She encouraged them to work hard to shake off poverty.

Dr. Mnangagwa said it was her wish to see women succeed without pulling each other down.

A representative from the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development said to complement the First Lady’s efforts, the Ministry will help the women to market their products as it has ready markets in and outside the country.

Mrs. Tsitsi Denhera, a widow, sang praises to the First Lady for the empowerment programme, saying she was having difficulties looking after her children but would now work hard because she had been empowered through the course and starter-pack.

In an earlier interface with the First Lady, ladies of the night expressed a willingness to quit the world’s oldest profession and earn clean money through using their hands.

Amai Mnangagwa, who has a passion for uplifting women, fought back tears as the ladies of the night narrated how they ended up doing sex work and some of the challenges they face.

In her brief remarks, Dr. Mnangagwa said she was concerned with the welfare of women, hence her intervention.