“At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought but what we built, not what we got but what we shared, not our competence but our character and not our success but our significance. Live a life that matters. Live a life of love.” – Lessonlearned.com
Yvonne Chikasha personifies the above quote by the wonderful and courageous work she is doing. She shared with The Weight She Carries how it all came together.
“My name is Yvonne Erina Chikasha, fifth-born in a family of eight. I grew up in the high-density suburb of Mbare in the capital city of Harare. In 2001, I relocated to Canada, which is where I currently reside with my four children. I am a recreational/restorative therapist by profession.
To be honest, charity work is not something that was on my mind at all, but in 2020 I came across a Facebook post that really pulled at my heart. It was of a man who had been abandoned in hospital for over six months after incurring an injury from a hit-and-run and required surgery on his legs to be able to walk again. I dipped into my pocket to help him and asked my friends to check on him in hospital. Despite my efforts, he still required more surgery. That’s when I approached some of my friends, who also lent a hand.
The surgery went well, and now he is able to move, although not to full capacity. This case inspired the name of the organization Right to Mobility, which we are still in the process of registering. My friends, after seeing the progress that the man had made, posted his story on Facebook and requests from all corners of Zimbabwe came flooding in. And that’s how I ‘accidentally’ began charity work.
Since that time, we have managed to source and distribute 86 wheelchairs and have been able to provide basic foodstuffs for over 30 families as well as source funds for two cases of specialized treatments.
The most heart-wrenching case I have come across is of Ben*, who was born HIV-positive. He lost his father, and not only that, but he contracted meningitis at the age of 3, which has left him disabled. We have since sourced and delivered a wheelchair and foodstuffs to him.
As to how I managed to mobilise such a wonderful group of people to donate both their time and money to the disabled and those in need, I can only say it is by God’s grace.
Mr Chikasha, my brother, Mr Wasarirevu, Mr Mavhura and Mr Taylor: these individuals are the stars and foot soldiers of Right to Mobility, and I am just a humble servant of my fellow Zimbabweans and those who need help. Despite the challenge of shipping and transporting the wheelchairs to the recipients, God always comes through.
What I have learnt so far in this journey set before me is that with God all things are possible. He sets up the right people in your path who give of their time and resources. I have also learnt that success is not in the statistics but in the smile you have brought on someone’s face.
*Name has been changed
