How a single tweet led me into charity work

By Patricia Mashiri

Growing up I always wanted to be a girl child activist. I continuously advocated for the child girl rights, empowerment and stood up firmly against child marriages.

Back at school I always found myself in programmes which had something to do with the girl child empowerment, charity work etc.

My heart was always at easy when a girl child make it in life. I constantly stood up against gender imbalances and stereotypes.

I never knew social media; Twitter to be precise would one day make my dream come true. I identified a child headed family in my rural community which needed my help.

Chipo (15) and John (11) (not real names) were left by their mother when she got married to another husband. Life was all gloomy as the kids were too young to take care of themselves. They had to fend for themselves and no one was there to pay school fees for them.

They dropped out of school so that they could do piece jobs in people’s fields to make ends meet.

My worry was Chipo as young as she was would one day wake up thinking of getting married as a way from escaping from all the problems she and her little brother were facing. The burden was too heavy for a little girl like her.

This moved my heart and decided to share this story on Twitter. I received an overwhelming response from the Twitter streets.

This is where my charity work journey began.

People offered to pay school fees for these kids, some offered stationery and some food. Within few days I received money from different people across the country. I received money from as far as South Africa just for these kids.

Without wasting time I paid up fees for little brother (John) who was grade 4 by then looked for a form one vacancy for his sister (Chipo). Uniforms, stationery and food were bought by the remaining amount.

The enjoyment of going back to school by the kids made me cry. I had never seen such excitement in my whole life.

Chipo and John’s shuttered dreams were revived by the kind hearted Zimbabweans who are contributing towards their education.

A single tweet turned someone’s life.

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