Brave Grade 7 learner helps deliver neighbour’s baby . . . credits First Lady’s teachings for giving her courage

A 14-YEAR-OLD Grade 7 learner from Macheke became a heroine after courageously assisting in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby, even as local elderly women, including her own mother, fled the scene in panic.

The young girl acted swiftly as her neighbour, Ruth, cried for help at Mhiripiri Shopping Centre under Chief Makoni in Macheke, just as she was about to leave for the hospital.

While the elderly ran away in fear, Chiedza Mushunje stayed behind, applying what she had learned from family health education lessons and community talks to safely assist with the delivery.

Armed only with courage and a pure heart, she followed the little knowledge she had, and moments later, the cries of a newborn filled the air, a sound that deeply moved the entire neighbourhood.

It was only after hearing the baby’s cry that community members returned, shocked and humbled by the young girl’s bravery.

The mother and her new born were later referred to Marondera Provincial Hospital, where both are being monitored.

Chiedza, who had just completed her Grade Seven examinations at Tashinga Primary School, said she drew strength and confidence from the words of First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, whose radio and television programmes encourage girls to be strong, responsible, and ready to help others in times of need.

Through her Nhanga/Gota programmes, Mother Zimbabwe teaches a kind of courage that empowers one to stand up for oneself, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges showing that help often follows one’s own effort.

Her lessons on bravery, shared through various examples, inspire strength and self-belief that can be applied to any situation just as Chiedza did.

In an interview yesterday, Chiedza calmly recounted her heroic act while expressing her desire to meet the First Lady, who has been a source of inspiration.

“I was sweeping the house when I heard a noise outside. I went to look and saw our neighbour Ruth lying down, about to give birth, with blood flowing.

“I acted immediately after hearing her cry for help.

“I somehow found the courage and rushed to assist her. I went beside her, and when I saw the baby’s head coming out, I tore her underwear to allow for a smooth delivery,” she said.

Chiedza said that while the elderly ran away in fear, she stayed, using the knowledge she had gained from family health education lessons and community talks.

“There were several elderly women, including my mother, but they all ran away. I stayed behind to safely assist with the delivery. My mother and other local women were just grabbing blankets and throwing things to me, but I carried on,” she said.

Chiedza also shared the source of her courage at such a young age, attributing her bravery to the positive influence of Dr Mnangagwa’s initiatives, which she said nurture responsible young citizens who are ready to make a difference in their communities.

“The First Lady teaches us kushinga, kushinga (being brave) through her inspiring programmes such as Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba,” she said.

“She taught me a kind of bravery that empowers one to stand up for oneself, even in the face of any challenge whether it’s rape or any other difficult situation like the one I faced. I drew on the courage I was taught to have when confronting issues like rape to assist during the delivery.

“Dr Mnangagwa also taught us that help often begins from within, so that when others step in, one’s own effort is already visible.”

“I remembered what our First Lady always says that as girls, we should never be afraid to help and to show leadership. I told myself I could do it, and I did. The bravery just came to me at that moment,” she said.

For Chiedza, the experience was not only emotional but also a lesson for girls about having children when the time is right.

“Ruth gave birth at 18 and wasn’t even sure if her pregnancy had reached nine months. Our First Lady always tells us not to get pregnant before we are mature, because you can end up in trouble. I encourage my peers to control themselves until we finish school,” she said.