Out & about: Ayibongwinkosi opts for goodwill

By Grant Moyo

Ayibongwinkosi Dube, a philanthropist and author, knew from a tender age that at some point of his life, he will live a life of service above self — wholly pledging his time to aiding people who are vulnerable, poverty stricken and in need of emotional, social and psychological care.

Driven by the motto “making giving a lifestyle”, Dube is the sole founder of Urim Shalom Trust (UST) — a nonprofit philanthropy organisation.

With a calling spanning over a decade serving at the helm of youth activity in church regionally and nationally, the 26-year-old cheerful giver vows to also endlessly place a great impact in the Zimbabwean society and across the terrestrial planet through his inspirational written material.

Dube, who often equips his community with knowledge on sustainability issues, youth empowerment, as well as development and leadership skills, was born in Bulawayo.

The philanthropist attended Mafela Primary School, Intunta Primary School and Ihlathi High School.

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He is a former Bulawayo East Parish and Western Diocese youth chairman, who was once the Northern Deanery youth vice-chairman and a National Council member at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe.

Presently, Dube is the Bulawayo East Parish Sunday School teacher and vice-superintendent.

He is also a Global Young reformer at Lutheran World Federation who once represented youths at Lutheran Communion Southern Africa.

Not only is Dube a committee member at Lutheran African Youth Camp Forum, at Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) he is the Bulawayo province youth vice-president.

In his capacity as a writer, Dube is an author of Christian books, holding his debut book titled Quitting Is Not An Option.

Utilising the internet, the avid inspirational writer posts regularly on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook using his account called Shalom Daily Writings.

“Being a philanthropist and an author it’s not by accident, it all started to manifest when I was 15 years old. One day I heard a hefty voice right from within my spirit that urged me to purchase 300 text messages and start sending encouraging texts to all my saved contacts, which I did on a weekly basis. To date, the writings are now circulating online regularly, reaching a broader audience,” he said.

“A couple of years later, I had a similar experience. I heard a coercive voice in my spirit that encouraged me to commit to numerous days of prayer and fasting. Soon after, the passion for writing rose with much power leading to the publishing of my first book Quitting Is Not An Option. Since then, I began speaking about my dreams of being a cheerful giver and helping needy people, starting from community level.

“I became so in touch with this dream throughout my childhood and adolescence. I eventually got into youth leadership in different departments at my local church. The roles gave me much exposure, I learned and gained much experience pertaining leadership skills, community development, and other professional concepts required in leadership. I’m grateful, it has molded and groomed me into a more innovative individual, bringing out the best within me. Sometime in 2018, I was appointed to go and represent young people in the Republic of South Africa for a Southern African Youth Summit that was held in Johannesburg. I have so far impacted many young people with leadership skills.”

Giving an insight on his organisation, Dube said at Urim Shalom Trust the vision is to see a happy and united people.

Beneficiaries of the Trust are indigent people, vulnerable individuals, and charitable organisations. Through his establishment, Dube aims to raise future leaders and transform minds.

The organisation is also involved in fundraising for textbooks, stationery and examination fees for prisoners, as well as conducting goal oriented HIV and Aids, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis as well as Covid-19 awareness campaigns.

Dube is prioritising providing basic training on practical skills like sewing, baking, soap making and livestock rearing to the deprived.

The forthright philanthropist seeks to also render early childhood development facilities and material assistance for children born in prison.

“Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace. It came at a time when I really needed to know myself and my real purpose on earth. To date, as the Urim Shalom Trust we have managed to conduct social responsibility and charity work as well as team and peace building sessions. In 2019 we reached out to Pace College in a project meant to address the importance of life presentation and Blended Education College of Southern Africa for a Peace-Building presentation. The Trust has also been affiliated with Thembiso Children’s Home, Entembeni Old People’s Home, Queen Elizabeth Children’s Home and Khayelihle Children’s Village,” Dube said.

“In the past few years, the Urim Shalom Trust has managed to donate brand new clothes and school uniforms, stationery, reusable sanitary pads, groceries, and arranged for the payment of school fees for some disadvantaged individuals.

“As a philanthropy organisation we highly seek to continue impacting positive change. In the near future, we intend to build a charity center and to remove youths from streets through our free life skills training. As we progress, our first target is educating approximately 1 200 vulnerable youths annually.”

Documenting life in communities through written language, his book called Quitting Is Not An Option unveils the mysteries of life. The publication, which contains 12 chapters, addresses quite a number of issues faced by the community in the journey of pressing-on towards fulfilling both collective and individual dreams. The book explains in-depth issues like faithfulness, perception, reputation, peer pressure, patience, endurance and the importance of a mentor.

“I have officially launched and published one book with 128 pages and I’m working towards publishing more books, especially in the digital space. I live a life of writing and exercising philanthropy in the community on a daily basis. I feel good when I write and do charity work, it’s something I love doing with all my heart. Everyday I publish life-transforming motivational pieces (Shalom Daily Writings) circulating on Facebook, Instagram and on over nine WhatsApp groups both locally and beyond borders,” Dube said.

Helping young people engage in the creation of ontogeny, onward motion and affirmative modification in the community, the leadership skills offered by the Urim Shalom Trust are paving way for the development of confident dauntless characters with exceeding communication and negotiation skills.

So by frequently equipping the society with the set up of securing the utmost capability to stick out in a relatively going way across all domains of life, personal and professional relationships are safeguarded, thence, making life worth a living.

• Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on Twitter: @TotemGran