By Lance Guma
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LONDON – On the 16th of March 2013, Nehanda Radio published an appeal to Zimbabweans mainly in the UK to rally round and help Godfrey Karonga and his family acquire a V3 machine for his 13-year-old son Tinashe Karonga.
Tinashe suffered brain damage that left him paralysed. Physiotherapy specialists advised the family that a V3 machine would work on Tinashe’s veins and help improve his condition. The family needed about US$1200 to buy this machine.
Today, Nehanda Radio is proud to announce that because of the generosity of all the people who contributed, not only did we buy the machine but we surpassed the target and were able to give the family the balance in cash.
On Thursday US$1713.10 was wired to Zimbabwe from the UK. Our team on the ground bought the Karonga family a V3 machine for US$1200 from Ceragem Zimbabwe.
Because the family live in the rural areas in Mudzi where there is no electricity to run the V3 Machine we also bought them a 75 watts solar panel, car battery, invertor, adaptor and regulator all amounting to US$385. The remaining amount of US$228 was given to the family in cash.
The Karonga family also got a wheelchair valued at US$200 for Tinashe courtesy of Frank Ringisayi Mhlanga who stays in Chitungwiza.
All this would not have been possible were it not for the generosity of our listeners and readers of the website who contributed financially.
Special thanks to Locadia Matsvaire the journalist who wrote the initial story on Tinashe, Pedzisai Ruhanya who devoted his time to buy the equipment and John Cassim who volunteered his services to take pictures of the presentation.
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Listen to Mr Karonga’s reaction to the donation.
Below are all the people who donated to make this appeal successful.
| Donations Made | Organisation | US$ | British Pounds |
| Lance Guma | Nehanda Radio | 50 | |
| Kelly Ann Stafford | Self | 100 | 61.69 |
| Elsie Nyahunzvi | Self | 20 | |
| World Cargo International | World Cargo International | 60 | |
| Edward Madzinga | Self | 20 | |
| Leah African Designs | Leah African Designs | 50 | |
| Godfree Matambanadzo | Moments Images | 30 | |
| Pahushamwari Trust | Pahushamwari Trust | 200 | |
| Faith Chokomari | Self | 60.57 | |
| Prince Cassa | Self | 10 | |
| Hope Mutsvanga | Self | 20 | |
| Patricia Chipunze | Self | 20 | |
| ZimDJ Lodza | Linked FM | 50 | |
| Marvin and Jade Muchando | Self | 40 | |
| Katsande Kristina | Xine Catering | 20 | |
| Jackie | Self | 50 | |
| Yeukai Taruvinga | Self | 50 | |
| Obert Mundevere Ncube | Self | 60 | |
| Martin Panashe Nyagumbo | Self | 20 | |
| Mr Washington | Self | 33 | |
| Eliphas Dube | Dominant Temple | 20 | |
| Taurai Cheteni | Self | 20 | |
| Marceline AfricanPrincess Mutikori-Adams | Self | 14.74 | |
| Duran Rapozo | Self | 20 | |
| Conrad Mwanza | Zimbabwe Achievers Awards | 50 | |
| Gilbert | Self | 40.87 | |
| Kayanda Designs LLP & Sid’s Cars | 50 | ||
| Linda Satimburwa | Self | 50 | |
| No name given yet | Self | 10 | |
| 1200.87 |
£1200.87 was sent to Zimbabwe via Western Union.
Charges for transfer £31.90.
Payout amount in Zimbabwe US$1713.10
Donations made after money sent
Tinopiwanashe Nyamapfene US$100 (part of money given to family in cash)
Sanderson Makombe £20 (still to be sent to Karonga family)
Tendai Mandingwa Madondo £20 (still to be sent to Karonga family)
King Alfred (Zimbabwe Cup Clash UK) £50 (Still to be sent to Karonga family)
Total balance still to be sent to Karonga family: £90
This appeal is now officially closed.
Any donations from now on can be made directly to Mr Godfrey Karonga via EcoCash on his mobile number: 0775890295. We thank you for your generosity.
