Tarie Appeal: Media disappointed us

By Luka Phiri and Dumi Tutani

A Zimbabwean girl aged only 18 had an appeal that went round the globe. Tarie a young Zimbabwean who needs an operation and many people and organisations did donate towards the appeal and that was wonderful.

I am so happy she will be coming to London tomorrow morning from Harare. Two Zimbabwean men Luka Phiri myself and Dumi Tutani did a sponsored walk that raised Tarie’s crises and I am disappointed that the local and Zimbabwean media took a blind eye on that long walk rather reported on many minor issues like “a boy friend beat up his girl friend”, and  not serious cases like this long walk. This is the time that we as Zimbabweans should value life.

What we did, will  not only serve Tarie’s life but rather highlighted the current dire Children’s situation in Zimbabwe. Therefore we would like to say  thank you to all the people who supported us during the time we were raising the money to serve Tarie. We did finish the walk from Brighton to London as planned and we hope those who pledged to donate after our walk they will honour them. 

The support received was overwhelming from the Zimbabwe vigil and the general public. We were also honoured by being welcomed by Betty Makoni at the Zimbabwe Embassy. People helped us in so many different ways and may the spirit of working together continue as it makes a difference.

There are many children in Zimbabwe who desperately need help like Tarie. They can be helped if we all play a part. Each of your contributions not only made our task so much easier, but more importantly a suceess. If you need the photos for the walk we would be happy to send them to you.

A triumphant cheer with exuberant ululating greeted the team, Dumi Tutani and Luka Phiri, when they arrived at the Zimbabwe Embassy after completing a 55-mile sponsored walk from Brighton on the south coast. Despite their exhaustion, they immediately joined in the celebratory dancing.  They had set off just before 5 am and covered the distance (twice the length of a marathon) in thirteen and a half hours including two short breaks. 

“I really enjoyed it” said Dumi. “People were very supportive as we passed by”. Luka, whose idea it was, could not suppress a huge grin. The walk was to raise funds to help a Zimbabwean girl with a severe facial tumour who is coming to the UK for urgent medical treatment.

The girl, Taremeredzwa Nomatter Mapungwana, is supported by the Zimbabwean charity Girl Child Network (http://girlchildnetworkworldwide.org/). Tare is to have an operation soon at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.

Dumi and Luka were greeted at the Zimbabwe Embassy Vigil  by Betty Makoni, founder of Girl Child Network, who was warm in her praise. “Because of your walk people here have now heard of our work”. 

Luka Phiri and Dumi Tutani