Community Builders with Takemore Mazuruse
UK-based philanthropist Gibson Brown may not be domiciled in Zimbabwe, but his love for others has seen him starting a foundation in his name to reach out to the less-privileged members of society.
The Gibson Brown Foundation has been operational for the past five years and the big-hearted founder and director reckons the initiative will grow bigger and better as the years pass by.
“We have an elaborate plan for the foundation, our entry point is an orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programme, which we are running in the high-density suburb of Mabvuku in Harare,” Brown said.
“We are providing educational as well as psycho-social support to five children in Mabvuku.
“We are also making sure they have enough supplies of groceries so that they can concentrate on their education without worrying about where their next meal will come from.”
A former student at Mabvuku Primary School and Mabvuku High School, Lord Gibbo, as the educationist is known in his circles, vowed to continue exploring ways to empower the marginalised and was happy with the impact of his OVC initiative.
“Beyond the support to the OVCs, I have also donated medical equipment and staff uniforms to a local clinic in Mabvuku,” he said.
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“I believe the development of any country borders on the health and well-being of its citizens and it is my hope that the little efforts I am embarking on will make a difference in the lives of others.”
While many UK-based Zimbabweans are known for their flashy and elaborate lifestyles, Brown said he was foregoing personal comfort to empower the marginalised- “Giving back to the community which raised me is my main motivation. I know things are hard at the moment and I pray that my small contributions will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of many,” he said.
“Nothing gives me better pleasure than to put smiles on the faces of the needy.
”I grew up in the same environment with challenging circumstances and I see it fit to forego my own personal comfort in the quest for a better life for all.”
Brown also reiterated the importance of education in shaping human lives and he revealed that his educational support for OVCs initiative was designed to entrench that ideal.
“Education is the gateway to success and having grown up in Mabvuku, I know the dangers associated with school dropouts,” he said.
“You become prone to drug abuse and other social challenges, hence this educational support for the OVC programme is meant to keep the youths in school in spite of their circumstances.”
Brown, who is a History teacher at a leading academy in the UK, said he was in the process of securing soccer uniforms for schools in Mabvuku with a view to empowering talented youths.
“I am also in the process of securing soccer uniforms for schools in Mabvuku so that we encourage wholesome excellence for students,” he said.
“Those who are not academically-gifted should pursue sport and we are going to explore sport-related scholarships as well as placement opportunities with football academies in the UK for them.”
To achieve his sporting excellence dream, Brown revealed that he would organise a sporting gala as well as sponsor a football tournament in the coming year.
Given the role of women in developing communities and kicking out poverty at household level, the respected educationist revealed that he has identified a Mabvuku women group to work with.
“I was in Zimbabwe a few weeks ago and I was moved by the work being done by a local women’s group. They have combined their meagre resources to start a soap-making project,” he said.
“My foundation is going to help them with branding as well as market linkages so that they grow beyond a mere self-help project to become a booming business that employs and empowers many.”
As Zimbabweans continue to grapple with many economic and social problems, it is hoped that as many community builders rise to the occasion and in their small individual ways help kick out poverty.
