Sinokubonga Nkala
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
MRS Precious Thomas from Mkhosana suburb in Victoria Falls is a philanthropist who has quietly transformed lives in the resort city and beyond. Her journey of love, care, and compassion began in 2014 when she fractured her left leg after slipping and falling in a supermarket in Victoria Falls. Remarkably, her leg healed within three months. While many might have attributed such an incident to misfortune or even resorted to begging, Mrs Thomas chose to express her gratitude to God by dedicating herself to helping the needy and vulnerable.
A counsellor by profession, she had just opened an infants’ school, Trust in God, which caters for Early Childhood Development up to Grade 2 infants when she fractured her leg. She is paying school fees and providing support to over a dozen children in Bindura in Mashonaland Central, Nkayi in Matabeleland North, Makwandara and Chimwara in Hwange District, as well as some in Victoria Falls.
At her school, some children learn free of charge.
Mrs Thomas said she is motivated by Hebrews 13:16 to do good and make sacrifices that please God.
She is married to Mr Cabinet Thomas, and the couple has a son, Craig, aged 24, who recently married Rejoice, and the two have a new-born baby girl. She said her home is filled with peace and love, and she wants her son and daughter-in-law to be exemplary in the community, free from drug and substance abuse and gender-based violence, especially as the country and the rest of the world commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Each year, she pays school fees for disadvantaged children, donates to vulnerable families, and also hosts a luncheon for widows to whom she also gives grocery hampers. On Saturday, the couple hosted and distributed grocery hampers and shoes to 39 families, mostly widows and orphans. They invited representatives from Salvation Army, Flying Eagles Ministries, Morians Episcopal Church in Zion, Christian Church in Zion, United Africa Apostolic Church in Zion, Flames of Christ, St Cana Apostolic Church, Holy Ocean, JBCOC Izinkonjane, Apostolic Jerusalem, and Revival Apostolic Faith Church denominations to celebrate with them.
“Mrs Precious Thomas is the one who gathered us here; she has a vision,” said Mr Thomas as he welcomed the crowd.
Last year, the couple hosted and distributed food hampers to 55 families.
“This is my way of thanking God for helping me and for the miracles He has done in my life. I got injured in 2014 when I fell in a supermarket and fractured my left leg. This was soon after I opened my school, but miraculously I was healed in three months. I am thankful to the supportive husband that God gave me, and I am trying to make my children follow this route.
“I feel for widows and needy community members; hence I want us to be united and help each other. I have been paying school fees for a number of children since 2014. I just love children, and I would get worried when I saw some playing on the streets during school time. I requested to see their parents and adopted some of them. Some had no birth certificates, and we assisted in getting them. My wish is to help anyone in need and that anyone who visits us leaves with something for their upkeep so that we revive our values as Africans,” said Mrs Thomas.
She also counsels youth and families and is grateful to community members, especially St Cana Church, which she attends.
During the Covid-19 era, Mrs Thomas was one of the few individuals who consistently helped in the acquisition of oxygen for health centres in Victoria Falls.
Mrs Shelter Ncube, one of the beneficiaries, said Mrs Thomas donated a slaughtered pig to her, and she started an informal meat business from which she bought goats that have multiplied to more than a dozen, helping boost her family’s socio-economic standing.
Another beneficiary, who preferred not to be mentioned, said she has five minor children and literally survives on handouts from Mrs Thomas as she is unemployed.
Major Collen Mafusire and his wife, Major Hilda Mafusire from the Salvation Army Church, were the guests of honour. Major Collen Mafusire commended Mrs Thomas for inculcating a culture of sharing and love.
“Today is a different day to reflect on what we have done in life. The Thomas family has planted a seed of giving in the family and community. Let’s learn to appreciate each other while we are still alive. Whether there is drought or not, a positive mind will take us there. We should learn to help the needy because by that we light a candle and uplift our community. Let’s also bless our children so they live better lives,” he said. — @ncubeleon
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