WHEN radio personality Rutendo Makuti took over hosting of the programme Ruoko Rwunopa eight years ago it was merely a run of the mill 10-minute radio programme.
Her early efforts to have the time allocated to the programme extended were cast off, until at some point when one of the managers gave her the green light to double the time billed for the programme.
In a short space of time, Ruru or Mwanasikana Wekwenyu, as Makuti is affectionately known, transformed the programme, turning it into an interactive show where she engaged listeners on a number of issues, mostly on charitable matters.
Despite being host to other programmes such as Tipeiwo Mukana, Musandikanganwe and Nhasi Tirikwenyu, Makuti carved a niche for herself with the programme Ruoko Rwunopa.
She has become so passionate about charitable issues that she has dedicated her time to the programme, stretching her shifts to 24 hours on non-stop broadcasting in a bid to raise resources to assist those in need.
Since 2017, the diminutive broadcaster has had marathon shifts where she has raised money towards the payment of medical expenses for vulnerable children.
The programme Ruoko Rwunopa (translated to the hand that gives), has also thrown a lifeline to a number of children through the payment of school fees.
“I started hosting Ruoko Rwunopa on Radio Zimbabwe in 2015 and by then it was a 10-minute programme,” Makuti told Standard Style.
“However, I managed to convince my bosses and I was allocated more time before I altered everything to make the programme interactive.”
She saw the programme impacting positively on the community, which nurtured her passion for being altruistic.
“My first attempt was in 2017 when we raised funds for Anotida, a baby who had a brain tumour and needed an urgent operation. I did 17 hours of non-stop broadcasting,” Makuti said.
“We wanted US$16 000, but we managed to raise more than that.”
Makuti presented another 32-hour programme seeking to raise US$16 000 for the then two-year-old Evelyn Nyakutombwa who was supposed to go to India for a surgical operation.
The marathon broadcast was successful and the required amount was raised by the end of the programme.
In 2019, she raised more than US$70 000 after she broadcast for almost 18 hours.
Two years later Makuti also had a 12-hour marathon shift where she raised $1,2 million for Thandeka Victoria Philime who was supposed to go for heart surgery in India.
She managed to raise $1,3 million before day end.
Makuti, who has since established a non-governmental organisation, Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust, dedicated to providing care, information and support to individuals and families affected by hydrocephalus, believes she still can use radio to assist those in need.
“For these marathon shifts, I request permission from my bosses and they have since noticed the impact that these have on society,” she said.
She said coming up with the trust was inspired by the desire to cater for the less privileged and every child in need.
“Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust seeks to provide information on early detection signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus, engage in advocacy, offer networking and promote interaction with other organisations,” Makuti said.
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in the brain, typically on young children, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage.
She said Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust is operating in all four corners of the country addressing a number of gaps including that hydrocephalus goes undetected for months in children and that there was negative knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices towards children with hydrocephalus, among others.
Makuti said she has been doing a number of awareness campaigns through radio and social media platforms.
Despite operating on a shoe-string budget Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust has managed to help more than 40 children suffering from hydrocephalus.
Apart from hydrocephalus, Mother Rue Hydrocephalus Children’s Trust also caters for less-privileged children.