My name is Agnes Makuchete and I am proudly a former beneficiary of Agape Family Care and a product of the love of Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa.

 

I considered myself happily married to my husband until the world crashed upon me in 2013 when I discovered that my husband had been sexually abusing our daughter who was 11 years old at that time. I still remember that when I confronted my husband and he confessed to what he had done to our daughter I fainted; I was weak, confused and filled with fury because this had happened under our roof and I was unaware as a Mother. Instead of protecting our daughter my husband had raped her and become her ruthless perpetrator. I reported the case to the police so my husband would be arrested for the crime that he had committed. Unfortunately my husband was released on bail and he managed to skip the country and he moved to South Africa before the law could take its course.

 

On the other end I was desperate for emotional and spiritual support for myself and my daughter; we needed a way to deal with the trauma of what my daughter had gone through and Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa gave us all the love and support we required. Through Agape Family Care we were moved from Mbare where I used to live and we were placed in a Protected Shelter in a medium density area and all our needs were catered for from my Children’s School Fees; our Bills and Monthly Groceries for a period of 4 years.

 

Through her mentorship sessions; I was encouraged by Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa to start an income-generating project. Agape Family Care gave me a starting point as I was given a suitcase of new clothing items that I could sell to earn capital. I made some significant sales and I managed to start a second clothing business in Mbare which I ran for a period of 3 months. I diversified my business to hardware materials and as the business grew in 2016 I quit being a beneficiary under Agape Family Care as I was able to fully support myself and my children.

 

Now my daughter is 17 years old; though the ordeal that she went through damaged her she is now emotionally stronger. My daughter used to be very bright in school but unfortunately her grades dropped after the abuse and she failed her Ordinary level examinations. I am thankful that the love and support offered by Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa has kept her strong though she has also made a few wrong decisions in life but we are taking one day at a time.

 

Through my business I managed to acquire a Housing Stand where I built a 3 roomed cottage where we are currently staying. I also managed to get a Class 2 Drivers License and I purchased my own car. I no longer rely on humanitarian assistance from Agape Family Care as I am now also a partner of the great work that Ruth Emmanuel-Makandiwa is undertaking through her Organization.

 

I am thankful for such an expression of agape love that my children and I experienced. Considering our overwhelming experiences; I could have given up on life but I had a shoulder to lean on and cry upon. Thank you Mhamha Ruth for having a heart that can accommodate the countless lives that you are transforming each day; I thank you for your amazing love.