Mkundi Foundation, a youth led organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and help youths achieve their dreams, was recognized by CADAV National Philanthropic Awards for its achievements in equipping people living with disabilities.
By Nthokozo Gudu
The inaugural national awards ceremony was held in Harare last week ,attended by different community based organizations across the nation.
Mkundi Foundation founder and Executive director, Ian Vambe expressed excitement on winning the award,
As Mkundi Foundation, we thrive to change the lives of people with disabilities. Getting an award fuels us to do more, it is a win for all people with disabilities who are advocating for inclusion in various spaces,’’ he said.
Vambe said Mkundi Foundation advocates for people living with disabilities, it also registered with the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC).
“We are currently operating in Hatcliff and Mbare communities. We have three main pillars that is advocacy , capacity building and awareness raising. Curently running programmes are MK Educates, NdiriMkundi Newewo You Can Be and Mental Health campaigns,’’ he said.
Mkundi Foundation was founded in 2022, the organization has offered various services to the vulnerable people in different communities.The team leader got an award (Ignite Youth Awards 2022 edition),championing disability rights category.
The CADAV Executive Director, Mr Lot Mudhimburanwa said the awards are inspired by vulnerable groups who are making a difference in certain communities.
“The CADAV Philanthropic Annual Awards are awards to remarkable leaders and organizations in our communities who are doing good in-terms of assisting the vulnerable groups for instance people with disabilities and the poor,’’ he said.
Mr Mudhimburanwa highlighted that Mkundi Foundation proved to be enabled, hence awarded this award,
“Mkundi Foundation is one of the most committed organization they have educational lessons they do on social media platforms,they have following on these social media handles, they address different topics too.They collaborate with other organizations like Miracle Missions on these trainings where they address different topics to empower their beneficiaries which are the people with disabilities with knowledge on entrepreneurship and other significant topics.’’
“They are into entrepreneurship and life skills coaching and above all the founders are from the communities of people with disabilities they have a traceable academic background ,our research reveals that on many instances they use their personal resources to do charity work for example donations to vulnerable children in schools,’’ he said.
