Tino finds new glory in charity work
By Kumbirayi Shoniwa
After suffering a battered image following the leak of her sex tape, Tinopona Katsande, has found new glory in successful charity work after assisting children with life-threatening health conditions find medical remedies in the last quarter of last year.
The actress and radio personality has brought together popular artistes and celebrities in her Celebrities Combined Trust that has scored a first through saving lives.
The Trust took part in fund-raising activities and successfully sent eight-year old Ashley Mutengwa for a heart operation in India after raising more than US$11 500 from donations by members of the public. Earlier, the Trust assisted in raising US$100 000 for Natasha Sanyanga who went for a bone marrow transplant in India.
Tino’s initiative has brought together artistes like Ammara Brown, Guspy Warrior, Suluman Chimbetu, Makosi Musambasi, Cynthia Mare, Adioina Maboreke-Chidzonga, Edith WeUtonga, Tsungi Zvobgo and Charity Dlodlo.
Other celebrities working with the Trust include former big brother contestant Hakeem Mandaza, Dave Emberton and Pastor Rogers of Living Grace Ministries.
Makosi fronted Natasha’s fund-raising campaign while Ammara led the campaign to assist Ashley.
Speaking at a Press conference in Harare, Ashley’s parents expressed joy and gratitude at the way Zimbabwean people had heeded the call to help their daughter and donate the money necessary to cover the operation as well as travel, accommodation and other necessities.
“Our daughter wasn’t growing so we went for a scan and it was discovered that her heart had a hole measuring 1,5cm in it. We were devastated and approached people who eventually referred us to Celebrities Combined Trust after hearing they had helped five-year-old Natasha Sanyanga to raise US$100 000 for a bone marrow transplant in India,” said Colleta Mutengwa the girl’s mother.
“Now we have seen God through what has been done for our daughter, we urge Zimbabweans to continue with their good works and assist other children with similar problems, don’t do it for Ashley only,” added Kudakwashe Mutengwa, Ashley’s father.
Celebrities Combined Trust is an initiative of public personalities that are celebrated in the arts and other industries in Zimbabwe with a view to raise money for children under 14 years of age that are in need of life saving operations.
The various public personalities came together and managed to raise the money for Ashley’s operation after going on the streets of Harare and encouraging members of the public to donate what they could in order to help the young girl.
In addition more money was raised from Zimbabweans in the Diaspora with the setting up of an Ecocash account as well as a bank account provided for free by FBC Bank.
Tino said it is her wish to save more lives through the Trust and said people should desist from attaching the project to the negative moments of her life. She said she has always had a passion for charity. The Herald
