IN a trailblazing initiative, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has launched the first-of-its-kind Toddlers Warm Bowl Project, drawing an unprecedented crowd that thronged the venue in a powerful show of approval and support.
The grounds of Epworth High School in Harare Province were filled to the brim with mothers accompanying their toddlers, who received nutritious and highly palatable health-approved porridge.
It seeks to ensure that toddlers receive warm, nutritious meals at a critical stage of growth, easing the burden on families while strengthening community bonds.
Launched as a pioneering programme, the Toddlers Warm Bowl Project places the wellbeing of young children at the centre of national care.
For many in Epworth and surrounding areas, the project arrived not merely as a meal, but as a message that every child matters and no one is forgotten, while also offering practical support to families.
Demonstrating her hands-on approach, Dr Mnangagwa personally prepared the porridge, taking time to teach fellow mothers how to prepare it before serving the toddlers with the assistance of other women.
Following the feeding programme, the First Lady’s caring nature was once again evident as she distributed surplus food hampers to all beneficiaries, staying until everyone had received an item despite the overwhelming turnout.
The distribution was orderly and abundant, ensuring that every attendee, including service personnel, walked away with a hamper.
What followed was a scene of joy, laughter, ululation and radiant smiles as the crowd expressed delight at meeting the Mother of the Nation, whose presence was warmly embraced by all, showing their love for her.
In her address, Mother Zimbabwe began by congratulating the bumper crowd on entering the year 2026, giving thanks to Almighty God for His protection over the nation and for granting Zimbabwe the privilege of witnessing another year.
Dr Mnangagwa announced the new programme titled the Toddlers Warm Bowl Project, which is aimed at ensuring that young children receive nutritious meals essential for their healthy growth and development.
“Our children must eat nutritious food so that they grow up healthy and strong. This porridge has been tested and approved by health professionals. It contains a variety of ingredients rich in vitamins and minerals that promote proper growth, enhance intelligence, and improve performance at school,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa went on to outline the numerous benefits of the porridge, saying that it improves children’s learning ability, provides age-appropriate energy, boosts the immune system, and helps prevent malnutrition, which continues to affect children of various ages.
“You simply add one tablespoon to warm water, and the child will eat and be satisfied,” she said.
The First Lady said the porridge is being provided through a partnership between the Angel of Hope Foundation and Food4Africa, who are responsible for its preparation.
“We would like to thank them for their support and for their commitment to providing more porridge, which we will distribute to parents so that they can prepare it for their children at home,” she said.
As a champion of moral uprightness, Mother Zimbabwe also addressed issues of social injustice within communities, speaking strongly against gender-based violence and urging families to live together peacefully.
Mother Zimbabwe emphasised that some parents perpetrate the vice in the presence of their children, thereby exposing them to risky behaviour.
The First Lady described moral decay as a serious concern, calling on women to shun prostitution, which she noted was prevalent in Epworth.
However, she clarified that Epworth as a place is not inherently bad, but rather that it is people’s actions that give it a negative reputation.
Dr Mnangagwa urged married couples to respect the institution of marriage by refraining from extramarital affairs, emphasising the importance of promoting healthy relationships and setting a positive example for children.
“Remember, mothers, you are the foundation of the home. Mothers and fathers, it is our responsibility to take care of our children. Ana Amai, gumbo mumba gumbo panze is bad,” she said.
The First Lady also called on communities to shun drug and substance abuse, expressing concern that many children are now deeply involved in drug use and even know where drugs are sold.
“We are failing to instil values in our children, yet they are the ones we expect to lead this nation. Children are becoming physically-disabled (kuoma mutezo).
“This is what I see every day at the Mbare Drug Rehabilitation Centre. Grown adults are starting to learn basic literacy skills at the age of 25 because of drug abuse,” she said.
Mother Zimbabwe condemned drug dealers, saying, “How many people have you killed through selling drugs? Every person who buys from you is a grave. You hold that money knowing that you have destroyed lives. Do not kill someone else’s child simply so that you can be seen wearing expensive items.”
Dr Mnangagwa also urged mothers to conduct themselves with dignity, discouraging them from competing with men in alcohol consumption, which she said was taboo in the past.
The First Lady further called upon fathers to avoid reckless drinking, particularly when their children lack food and school fees.
“Let us return to our traditional values. I humbly ask that we unite, live well together, and stop living double lives,” she said.
Beneficiaries spoke of relief and gratitude, caregivers of renewed purpose, and elders of pride in a nation nurturing its future with compassion.
One beneficiary, Mrs Jesi Mahwengwa, described the porridge as nutritious and easy to prepare, expressing gratitude to the First Lady for providing healthy food to the community.
“The porridge is nutritious and only needs lukewarm water to prepare. We thank our First Lady for providing us with healthy food. It is very good,” she said.
Mrs Juliet Haisa echoed similar sentiments, saying there were also taught how to prepare the porridge properly.
“We thank our mother, the First Lady, for the healthy and tasty porridge. We were taught how to prepare it. It is simple; you just add lukewarm water, stir and give it to the child,” she said.
Mrs Janes Mariga expressed gratitude for the assistance and appealed for the programme’s continuation.
“We are grateful for the porridge given to our children, and we hope the support will continue,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Ms Gladys Gwati, said the porridge would help improve children’s health and that the community was pleased with the initiative.
“We simply add lukewarm water to the porridge that Amai Mnangagwa brought so that our children remain healthy. We are very happy,” she said.
Ms Sophia Mazhetese described the porridge as nutritious, delicious and convenient, particularly for parents with school-going children.
“The porridge we received from our First Lady is nutritious and tasty. It is easy to prepare and does not take long, which is very helpful for parents,” she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mr Cosmas Chiringa, thanked the First Lady for her numerous initiatives, including the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, cancer awareness campaigns and the Nhanga/Gota programmes, among others, that are transforming lives across the country.
Mr Chiringa also called on the nation to express appreciation for the First Lady’s compassion, saying she continues to visit all provinces implementing impactful programmes that are improving the wellbeing of communities.
The event was also marked by vibrant entertainment as gospel musicians Mathias Mhere, Sebastian Magacha and Dorcas Moyo, among others, delivered spirited performances that kept the crowd engaged.
Songs of praise rose spontaneously, children waved joyfully, and mothers held their bowls with dignity and pride.
The Toddlers Warm Bowl Project now stands as a symbol of practical compassion rooted in empathy, delivered with grace and embraced by thousands.
In Epworth, a community came together in warmth and optimism, united by a simple yet powerful promise: to nourish hope, one child at a time.
The event once again showcased Dr Mnangagwa’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens, especially with regard to nutrition.
