Olinda Chapel & Socialite Ashbragger Raise US$6,500 for Chitungwiza Sadza Vendor Caring for Disabled Children
Olinda Chapel & Socialite Ashbragger Raise US$6,500 for Chitungwiza Sadza Vendor Caring for Disabled Children – Businesswoman Olinda Chapel and socialite Ashford Ashbragger Chimombe have successfully surpassed their fundraising target to support Elias Chikwava, a sadza vendor whose story recently touched many people online.
The pair had initially launched a GoFundMe campaign with a target of US$5,000 after Chikwava was captured cooking and selling sadza on the streets of Harare.
The vendor, who currently lives in Chitungwiza, attracted public sympathy after details of his life and the responsibilities he carries emerged.
According to reports, Chikwava is believed to be a former science teacher who turned to street vending to support his family.
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Together with his wife, Chikwava began caring for children living with disabilities after their own child was born with a disability.
Their personal experience opened their eyes to the many challenges faced by families raising children with special needs.
Moved by compassion, the couple decided to extend their help by opening their home to other children facing similar circumstances.
Today, the family is caring for 10 children living with disabilities, providing them with shelter, care and support.
To sustain the household, Chikwava travels daily to the Harare Central Business District to sell sadza, while his wife remains at home looking after their child and the other children under their care.
Following the success of the fundraising campaign, Olinda shared an update on Facebook celebrating the support from the community.
“I am very proud of my community, we reached our target. Tomorrow Mr Munetsi will give us his US$200 and I will add my US$1,200 as promised. US$6,500 pfeeee,” she wrote.
She added that Ashbragger would soon provide an update regarding the withdrawal process from GoFundMe.
“Ashford will update us on how long it takes for him to withdraw from GoFundMe, and once that transaction has been completed we will hand over the full US$6,500 peacefully,” she said.
The story has drawn widespread praise online, with many people applauding both the donors and the Chikwava family for their compassion and dedication to caring for vulnerable children.
