Fundile Nkala is a teacher, counselor, and mental health advocate. While she is currently stationed at Sigola Primary School in Matabeleland South, she started her philanthropic work at Sukasihambe Primary School in Filabusi. After seeing that many students attend classes without shoes and some walked long distances, Fundile started an initiative to provide school shoes, clothes, and uniforms to learners. “Poverty makes people vulnerable, especially young people, who are vulnerable to bullying because of their appearance and background. The school shoe drives school shoes and uniforms to give even marginalized children dignity.” Fundile is networked with several community-based organizations, including Mothers of Special Heroes (MOSH) and Generation Empowerment Trust to be more effective in her voluntary work. These have been useful in helping increase the reach of her initiatives. Fundile works with MOSH to provide mothers with psychosocial and material support by counseling and sourcing items such as pampers. Lincen Masariramba, a Community Development Office at MOSH, says Fundile’s support has been invaluable, “The impact of her intervention has been great. Many mothers are thankful for the support they have received. Some mothers blamed themselves for their children’s condition, especially those who may have two or three children living with a disability. Some saw it as a punishment from God, but she has helped them understand issues and the fact that their children are special.”
