Joy as First Lady presents hampers, care packages to Christmas babies

TEARS of joy and heartfelt gratitude flowed as First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa presented baby hampers, care packages and groceries to mothers who welcomed new-borns on Christmas Day at Mabvuku, Edith Opperman and Warren Park clinics in Harare.

 

Sharing the same birthday as Jesus Christ is widely regarded as a blessing, and joy filled the clinics in Harare as mothers who delivered on Christmas Day received surprise gifts, courtesy of Mother Zimbabwe.

 

The gesture saw mothers at Mabvuku Polyclinic, Edith Opperman Clinic in Mbare and Warren Park Polyclinic receiving hampers containing baby clothes, blankets and toiletries neatly packed in baby dishes, along with assorted grocery packs. During her interaction with the mothers at the clinics, Dr Mnangagwa encouraged them to practise breastfeeding, describing it as key, and to take good care of their new-born babies.

 

At Mabvuku Polyclinic, which was the First Lady’s first port of call, seven babies were born on Christmas Day — five boys and two girls. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the timely support, saying the hampers would go a long way in easing the demands of caring for new-borns.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Christine Dhobiwa, could not hide her joy at giving birth on Christmas Day, describing the experience as both a spiritual and personal blessing.

 

“I am grateful for the gift of life, having delivered on December 25. What makes the day even more special is that I also received gifts from our First Lady, not only baby items, but groceries for us to share as a family at home,” she said.

 

“I never imagined that I would give birth on Christmas. Even when people suggested it might happen, I doubted them. I thank God that I delivered safely on such a significant day.”

 

Another mother, Mrs Rangarirai Mugari, who was blessed with a baby boy, described Christmas Day as one of the most memorable days of her life, applauding the First Lady’s compassion and generosity.

 

“This day is truly blessed for me. I thank our First Lady for the surprise gifts, which will help me clothe my child and support my family with groceries,” she said.

 

“May she continue with this spirit of love, not only for us but for many others. May the Lord continue to bless her,” she said. A celebratory atmosphere also engulfed Edith Opperman Clinic in Mbare, where 10 babies — seven girls and three boys — were delivered on the day.

 

Nursing mothers at the clinic, including Mrs Ethel Zurugo, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the unexpected support, saying she had not anticipated delivering on Christmas Day.

 

“I would like to thank the First Lady for what she has done for us. I received baby items and other gifts, which will help me take care of my child,” she said.

 

“I never expected to give birth on Christmas because my due date had already passed. My baby was supposed to be born last week, so this was a complete surprise.”

 

The outreach was replicated at Warren Park Polyclinic, where six women who gave birth on Christmas Day also received hampers and groceries. At the clinic, Mrs Ruvarashe Chikunguru, a mother of two boys, said she was delighted to have been blessed with a baby girl on Christmas Day.

 

“I already have two boys, so giving birth to a baby girl on Christmas has brought great joy to my family,” she said.

 

She applauded the First Lady for the timely gifts, saying they would go a long way in supporting her new journey.

 

“I sincerely thank the First Lady for the baby hampers and groceries. They are very helpful and show true motherly care,” she said. Another beneficiary, Mrs Primrose Headson, described delivering on Christmas Day as a blessing.

 

“Giving birth on Christmas is truly a blessing. It is a day I will always remember, and receiving gifts from the First Lady has made it even more special,” she said.

 

The beneficiaries said the gesture made their festive season memorable.

 

Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, who was part of the delegation, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the initiative, describing it as a reflection of her motherly compassion and commitment to the welfare of women and children.

 

“We are most grateful and thankful for this thoughtful gesture by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, on this special day. While others have been happy, others are joyous in receiving new-born babies.

 

“So, we will continue to wish them well, to pray for them, and we are happy that we have been able to successfully deliver these babies without any fatalities.

 

The biggest gift of all is life, and bringing life is always a joyous occasion within the Christmas spirit,” he said.

 

Mayor Mafume said he was thankful for the First Lady’s kind gesture of visiting council clinics, saying that on average every month they help deliver more than 3 000 babies across their 13 polyclinics.

 

The Christmas Day outreach once again underscored the First Lady’s enduring passion for supporting women and children through initiatives spearheaded by the Angel of Hope Foundation, as she shared the joy of new life with families across Harare. — _*SundayMail*_