By Nevson Mpofu
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Forty-eight families of people with disabilities in Harare received chicks under an empowerment initiative spearheaded by People With Disabilities for Economic Development (PWD4ED), with support from philanthropist Jimayi Muduvuri.
The handover, held at the ZANU PF Harare provincial offices, brought together beneficiaries drawn from six zones across the capital. Organisers said the initiative was designed to provide families with a sustainable source of food and income through poultry production.
Muduvuri, a businessman, philanthropist and disability advocate, has been involved in a number of initiatives supporting people with disabilities through PWD4ED and the Muduvuri Rehabilitation and Empowerment Foundation.
Josiah Dimbo, who was involved in coordinating the programme, said the poultry initiative was intended to help economically empower people with disabilities and enable participating families to establish small income-generating projects.
“We support people with disabilities because we want to see them lifted out of poverty,” Dimbo said. “They deserve the same opportunities that others get. Having a disability does not mean someone lacks knowledge or the ability to work.”
Dimbo also called for greater respect for the abilities and contributions of people with disabilities, arguing that disability should not be used to define an individual’s economic potential.
“They know things that others may not know, and they work just as hard as everyone else,” he said.
According to Collins, who was involved in distributing the chicks, approximately 90 percent were roadrunner chickens, while the remaining 10 percent were broilers.
“These are mainly roadrunner chicks. They take about three months to mature and can start laying eggs at around four months,” he said.
For participating families, the initiative is expected to provide more than an immediate donation. Once the chickens mature, beneficiaries could use them for household consumption, breeding and egg production, while surplus poultry and eggs could potentially be sold to generate income.
Privilege Muzondi, Vice Chairperson of PWD4ED, said all 48 beneficiary families were selected from six zones across Harare, stressing that the programme sought to reach people with different forms of disability without discrimination.
“Disability is disability. We do not want to leave anyone behind or any place behind,” Muzondi said. “We supported 48 families from six zones of Harare, and this programme will continue.”
She said the organisation wanted its empowerment programmes to be inclusive and to avoid discrimination based on disability, background or other considerations.
“We want to reach every person with a disability without favouritism, segregation or leaving others behind,” she said.
The poultry distribution adds to a series of livelihood and social-support programmes involving PWD4ED and Muduvuri. In August, another initiative in Harare provided more than 100 broiler chicks and poultry starter packs to people with disabilities.
For organisers of the latest programme, the objective is to move beyond short-term assistance by giving participating families an opportunity to build small poultry enterprises capable of supporting their households over time.
