A House for Prudence, Zimbabwe, 2000 Euro  

Prudence Mabhena is a student at KG VI Center in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This (boardingschool) has been supported by Moments of Joy for several years now. 
Below is the request we received from the director of KG VI to support this talented young lady to build a future.

“My dream is to be able to depend on my self one day.”

“My name is Prudence Mabhena. I am a young lady who was born disabled. On 17th March twenty years ago it was a day when the atmosphere changed in my family. It was a day that caused confusions, conflicts and misunderstandings because I was born. My parents no more live together just because of me. Later on as I grew up I came to know that my parents broke their marriage and the person who was behind this was my paternal grandmother who convinced my father to keep away from my mother and I because I was disabled. When I was still a baby my mother took me to the rural areas where I had to live with my maternal grandmother who was the only person who could source shelter, food and clothing for me.” 

This is the story of a young lady with a beautiful voice, a useless body and an unsupportive family. Prudence has arthrogryphosis and is totally dependent on other people for her most basic needs. She cannot even feed herself and yet once she begins to sing the only thing you are aware of is her perfect voice. Prudence does not just sing but she also composes her own songs in English, Ndebele and Shona. Her speciality is the use of the Ndebele click and she rivals her role model Miriam Makeba in her click songs. She can also manipulate her band to make sure they organise their music to give the perfect backing for her songs. This year she has also shown us that she can design and choreograph dancers and write and direct a music video. All this without the use of limbs! In 2006 Prudence and her band Liyana won an inter-regional music competition and their prize was a tour of Sweden, Netherlands and Belgium. Their music is original and vibrant and the award was well deserved and not given out of any feelings of sympathy for a disabled band.

On the stage Prudence shines, she is confident, she is an entertainer. Off the stage she is plagued by doubts and constantly disappointed by her family. A family that only appear when she returns from one of her tours with money in her pocket. This might sound cynical but sadly it is the truth for Prudence. 

Basically her only chance to be cared for for the rest of her life is to have her own accommodation. If she has a house someone will always be willing to live with her and to care for her in return for accommodation. 

“When I came back from Sweden I bought a piece of land which is half way built, just below window level. People might wonder why I decided to buy a house instead of doing something else with my money but its because of the life I lived when I was young. Imagine living with a step-mom who hates you, a grandmother who also hates you and wishes that you had never been born. That is why I saw that having your own house without anyone interfering is the best security.”

The half built house she has acquired has 3 bedrooms so once she is able to complete the building she will be able to rent out rooms which will give her a steady income. The plot also has a bit of land and a well which would also give an opportunity for a small income from gardening. Zimbabweans are great gardeners and vegetables are as scarce as all other food commodities these days. If she cannot complete her house she will have to choose which parent to stay with and neither will welcome her. 

At the King George VI Centre where Prudence did her schooling and is now following her musical career, we will support her as long as we are able but with so many other disabled children to care for we cannot help her complete her house. We are therefore appealing for funds on Prudence’s behalf. If she can complete her house she has long term security. Another overseas tour would bring in some foreign currency but this is another dream that she and the band share, but at the moment it is only a dream. One thing for sure is that any foreign currency she earns will go towards her house and her carer and not to the frivolous things like radios and MP3 players favoured by her fellow band members. 

Without this independence the future looks bleak. The chances of her being able to make a long term career out of her music in Zimbabwe today is very small. This house is the only chance this talented young lady has for freedom and dignity. We estimate that it will take 2000 Euros to complete her house and give Prudence the independence that she so desperately needs. 

Total € 2000,-- 

Adopted by anonymous foundation

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