Story by Farai Gwaze
THIS Sunday marked a historic milestone as the London-to-Harare solidarity convoy concluded its extraordinary 27 000 kilometre journey, shining a global spotlight on cerebral palsy and fostering unity across continents.
After 65 days crossing 15 nations, the convoy arrived in Harare this Sunday bearing therapeutic equipment and global goodwill. Driver, Innocent Hananda, reflected on the historic journey.
“Our journey was quite an epic journey, and I thank the gods of our fathers who led us all the way. We went through various countries and faced a lot of challenges, but the good thing is that we managed to conquer difficult terrains and war zones to make it to Zimbabwe and put Zimbabwe on the map, doing it for our charities. It has been a privilege and a historic moment,” he said.
For Alex Sakutukwa, the mission was deeply personal, fueled by his daughter’s battle with cerebral palsy and her concern for African children.
“I am focusing on children with cerebral palsy because I have a daughter diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and my daughter was so keen to know how other children in Africa manage. When we were doing exercises and therapy with her, it was so difficult and painful, and she remembered what she went through and asked me how people in Africa coped,” he noted.
Awaiting them was activist Panashe Sakutukwa, Alex’s daughter, whose Cerebral palsy diagnosis inspired the mission.
“I just really wanted equality, and for other people struggling with the same challenges I had to have support. Disability is not a bad thing; it is not something people should be weird about. I have a disability, and I am not ashamed, it is not a stigma,” Sakutukwa added.
The initiative marks a first step towards ensuring children suffering from cerebral palsy find support to address the ailment.
