Love Zimbabwe Festival Kicks Off with Free Eyeglass Clinics in Harare

The Palau Foundation, which is currently conducting eye-glass clinics in Chitungwiza and Harare, has assisted over a thousand residents through free screenings and the provision of free glasses.

Courtesy of the Love Zimbabwe Festival, spearheaded by Andrew Palau, the programme began on Monday and will run until Thursday. It is operating across four centres—three in Harare and one in Chitungwiza.

Speaking to this publication on the sidelines of the programme at Unit L Community Hall in Chitungwiza, Bishop David Chigamba, Director for Africa for the Luis Palau Association, said the main thrust of the initiative was evangelism.

“I am here with the organisation called the Palau Association to work together with the Mother Bodies of Zimbabwe,” said Bishop Chigamba.

“We are running this programme to spread the word of God. God has called us to evangelism, but we realise that we cannot just come and share the word. We also need to meet people’s physical needs. That is why, as an organisation, we decided to bring eyeglasses to help people—not just spiritually, but also with their physical well-being. Our main beneficiaries are mostly aged 40 years and above.”

Bishop Chigamba said the programme had received overwhelming support.
“The response has been overwhelming, I must say, and we are so grateful. We started yesterday (Monday), and we will continue until Thursday. Just yesterday alone, we managed to assist over 500 people who received their glasses, and they were able to go home satisfied.

“We expect to assist around 12,000 people. This is not only happening in Chitungwiza; we also have other centres carrying out the same activity in Glen Norah, Glen View, and Mbare.”

The Palau Foundation has previously conducted similar programmes in other African countries such as Kenya, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This is its first time in Zimbabwe, and next year the initiative will extend to Ghana.

Bishop Chigamba said the eye clinics were part of a larger plan.
“I want everyone to know that God cares for us as spiritual beings. This is just part of a bigger picture. From Friday to Sunday, we are going to host a major festival at Zimbabwe Grounds, where thousands of people are expected to attend. I would like to invite everyone.

“We will have children’s games, activities for young people, bicycles and motorbikes, as well as lots of music. We call it the Love Zimbabwe Festival. All are welcome, and it is free of charge.”

Some beneficiaries expressed their gratitude after receiving assistance.
“I am very grateful for the help we received from this organisation. At 75 years old, I struggle to read at night, so these reading glasses will go a long way in assisting me. May the Lord bless them,” said Mr. Arthur Taderera.

Mr. David Madamburo (85) added: “I would like to express my joy to the organisers of this programme, which has come at the right time. Many elderly people in Chitungwiza have benefitted.”

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