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For years, people with visual disabilities used braille in English language and to some, it was a challenge as they wanted to read the Word of God in their heart language. Shona is widely spoken in more than seven of the ten provinces of Zimbabwe. Who knew that one day Braille Bible will be available in Shona and used in Churches, schools and communities. On this sunny day, it was a hive of activities as all roads led to Harare where the Bible Society of Zimbabwe was launching its first ever Shona Braille Bible in the land. The sighted guests were blindfolded for a moment as they entered the venue and were escorted to their respective seats. This was done to make them have an artificial feel of what it is like to be visually impaired. The Board members, General Secretary, members of staff and other invited guests came to understand how life is when someone is visually impaired. Some could not take it only for thirty seconds and to imagine permanent visual impairment, one would just say may the Almighty God be with the visually impaired. The exercise helped the sighted present to appreciate what the visually impaired go through on a daily basis and it aided in raising awareness on issues of PVD and disability as a whole.

The Guest of Honor, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa representing the government, graced the occasion and was also blindfolded and aided to her seat. Speaking during the launch, the Minister applauded Bible Society of Zimbabwe for complimenting government efforts in driving the inclusive agenda of leaving no one and no place behind. ‘No person at whatever level of life must not be reached with the Word of God and for a nation to be at peace, there is great need for upholding Christian principles from grassroots level. Bible Society has closed the information gap for the benefit of people with visual impairment.’ she said. There was jubilation as people with visual impairment welcomed the move by Bible Society of Zimbabwe to publish a Braille Bible. Speaking at the sidelines of the launch, Mr Chando [53], a visually impaired teacher at St Faith in Rusape alluded that there was a gap between the visually impaired and the sighted ones. The only book available was in English but now the gap has been narrowed as we now have it in Shona. Brendon Nengare [20], Murewa High School upper six student said that this development shows the Glory of God as the Bible is being expressed in many languages. Ms Beauty Ngwende [22], a visually impaired graduate said that our culture has been restored in the introduction of the Shona Braille Bible.

Several organizations, government departments and schools present at the launch congratulated Bible Society of Zimbabwe for the heart and positive spirit in making a Shona Braille Bible. Dr Peta, a Director in the Social Services department was present, a representative from the Office of the President on Disability issues representing the Special Advisor to the President Hon J Malinga who later passed on that evening [May his dear soul rest in eternal peace] was also present. A number of organizations like Dorothy Duncan Library, Harare Library, St Giles, Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Jairos Jiri School of the Blind, Churches and community representatives were in ululation as they welcomed this drive by the Bible Society of Zimbabwe. Cementing its tagline, Helping People Interact with God’s Word, Bible Society of Zimbabwe is making strides in making known the Word of God in all people grouping in the land. Indeed, to God be the Glory.

Melania Kwamatombo [35], mother Raven Mutepfa [7] stays in Torwood, a mining area in Kwekwe. Seven years ago, Raven came to this world and joy was the order of the day as a baby boy was born in the family. All was going on well up until he just fell sick after a series of flactuating body tempratures. Having gone in and out of hospital, Raven’s health deterioted to alarming levels. His eyes and stature visibly changed and all hope for the fututure was shuttered when on a regular check up day, that is the Doctor who was assessing him broke the news as he concluded that Raven had developed Celebral Palsy. ‘It is at this stage of life that life started to turn its back on us,’ she said.

Facing the reality of what we have seen and heard became a toll order of life. It became a permanent journey of life where I had to adapt to the new order. Everywhere I go, work or live it became the norm that Raven should be by my side. Raven cannot do anything on his own. Being low income earners who live on a hand to mouth life on a daily basis in the western parts of Kwekwe where mining is the order of the day has never been easy especially when you have to work for your family on a daily basis. There are seasons when the load is unbearable especially considering the fact that our day starts early as I do short term contract jobs [popularly known as piece jobs] and my husband is into small-scale horticulutre where he sell seedlings. Having pulled in one direction with my husband, still the little we get is not sufficient to sustain us as a family. I carry Raven to where I will be working on that particular day and a well wisher gave him a wheelchair some years back but it has worn out and nolonger suitable for my son.

Little did I know that when one door closes, another one was opening through the coming of Bible Society of Zimbabwe with the skills invested in me and other mothers. Today, I will be going home with knowledge on how to make dishwashing liquid and foam bath. I and other mothers have also received knowledge on basic physiotherapy, types, causes of disabilities and types of food suitable for specific disabilities. This project will help us in starting a support group and relieve stress that is necessitated by pondering on the day to day challenges of our time.Asked for a motivating verse, Mellania said that ‘the Lord is my Sherpherd, I shall not want…’ Psalm 23 Vs 1.

Four years ago, Mercy Mudzengerere (24) was blessed with a bouncing baby boy, Leon Mhike. Like every mother’s wish, she wanted to see her child grow little did she know that the delay in sitting and crawling was the beginning of a tiresome journey. At two and half years, Leon was in and out of the hospital only to be told that he had cerebral palsy and this was when life became a nightmare. “Individuals and organizations visited me, took pictures of me and my son, gave me colorful promises only to discover that not all the knocks are genuine” she said. As months went by, “I heard another knock, this time it had the word ‘Bible’ as part of its name. As a Christian, I had no choice but to attend to the knock. Bible Society of Zimbabwe through one of its projects called, “Empowering Mothers of Differently Abled Children” already had me, my child, my spiritual life and my physical life in their plans. On this hot, sunny day I carried Leon on my back as usual since I had no one to leave him with. Upon arrival at the venue where the Bible Society of Zimbabwe had invited me, I discovered that Leon had many friends and, on that day, I got convinced that some mothers were wearing the same shoes as mine. I was taught on causes and types of disabilities, also learnt that adapting is key. As if it was not enough, I was trained to make a 20-liter bucket of dishwashing liquid”. For the first time, Leon got assessed by a qualified technician and a recommendation for a walking ring was made. Many thanks to the Bible Society of Zimbabwe for empowering me socially, spiritually and economically. “I am looking forward to receiving an assistive device for Leon. Very soon, the culture of carrying him on my back will be a thing of the past. In all these and other circumstances my consoling verse remains; Psalm 32 v 7-8 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance….”