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Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter

A MOUTH-WATERING feast for people living with disabilities in Bulawayo was the Golden Gate Ministries’ early Christmas present for less fortunate members of society yesterday.

Reverend Samuel Mabhena hosted the sumptuous meal of rice, salads and beef stew that was washed down with soft drinks.

Answering to the call of Jesus Christ in Luke 14 verses 12-14 the church has been holding Christmas luncheons for disadvantaged groups in the city for more than 10 years.

The scripture reads: “He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’”

Beneficiaries challenged the Golden Gate Ministries to host more such programmes even during the year as they always have fun when they are together.

They said the food-fests were also an opportunity to create business networks.

Ms Chipo Chidhoma — who is visually impaired — said it was her second time attending the luncheon.

“We always have fun during these lunches. However, the time is always short. We wish Golden Ministries could have more of these programmes so that we are able to meet more often and not wait for year-end,” she said.

Ms Chidhoma said during the events a lot of talent is discovered among the people as they all share business ideas.

“Because we are living with disabilities people tend to think we do not have many talents and it is often difficult to showcase our talents in the community. When we are here we get time to share our talents and business ideas, we get corrected and inspired by our friends at these lunches,” she said.

Mr Jack Matshaza, who was wheeling himself around, said the programme was uplifting especially for him and his five children who are also living with disabilities.

He said through meeting friends, they get to establish connections and share business ideas because they hardly get such a space where they can meet as people living with disabilities.

“I wish we could have more of these programmes because they make us feel included. Many times, we are excluded from society. Seeing Mr Mabhena do this every year warms our hearts because it is not just a lunch but a place where we exchange contacts and discuss business,” he said.

Mr Matshaza said people living with disabilities come across a number of challenges like lack of funds to start their own businesses.

“We wish we could have our own businesses and be the ones who fund these lunches instead of waiting for these yearly event. We are appealing to the Government to fund disabled people so that they can start their own businesses,” he said.

Mr Richman Sinyoro, who also uses a wheelchair, told Chronicle that he has been a tailor for the past 21 years and coming to the lunches has helped him to meet new clients, while strengthening relationships with old ones.

He said as people living with disabilities, making business connections is a bit challenging so they need more of the lunches so that they can be uplifted.

“The lunches uplift us as people living with disabilities, especially those of us who are in business. I hope there can be more of these and we would get to interact more,” said Mr Sinyoro.

Ms Sinikiwe Dube said they have challenges with acquiring wheelchairs and equipment to help them get through the day.

“The lunch is a great move. However, we have issues like lack of equipment such as walking sticks for the blind and wheelchairs. Buying the equipment is expensive for someone who is making a living through hustling. We are appealing to the Government to help us with the equipment as it would make movement easier,” she said.

Mr Mabhena said the church has a passion for helping people who are living with disabilities.

He said funds are tight, but he wishes they could do more than lunches only so that they can help people living with disabilities in addressing the challenges that they come across. – @flora_sibanda