Twenty Bulawayo families will have a brighter Christmas thanks to the generosity of Essy Banda. Banda, a soft-spoken humanitarian with a BSc, MSc, and postgraduate degrees in Psychological studies, recently donated grocery hampers to families in and around the city, including 10 widows.
While Banda insists she's not a hero, her actions speak volumes. She is passionate about empowering others, especially young girls, and founded The Girl Child Foundation in the UK to combat the exploitation of young people and single mothers. "Giving back to the community is only a portion of what we do as a foundation," she said.
Banda also expressed concern about orphanages allegedly releasing children at age 16. "That's a very young age," she said. "Where does one go? It creates an environment for exploitation."
Driven by her faith, Banda emphasizes the importance of upholding Christian values. "Based on the sad stories we hear, this loving God has been misrepresented so much," she said. "We aim to restore hearts, bringing hope with uniqueness, love, and integrity."
Essy Banda is inviting collaborators to join her in spreading hope:
"We are God's hands and feet in this hurting world," she said. "We are called to care for the orphan, the widow, and the afflicted. I invite anyone who would like to collaborate - corporations, community leaders, business people, or private citizens. All kinds of help are welcome. We've been doing this from our own pockets, but the need is vast, and our desire is to reach a wider community. We would love and appreciate your support."