Zimbabwe's Sungano Christian Group and Cornerstone UK deliver food hampers to Kadoma's vulnerable community

Chimeno Azriel

A 29-year partnership between Kadoma and Stevenage expands its monthly outreach to reach hundreds more families across four communities

By Azriel Chimeno

Kadoma, Zimbabwe, July 2026 — Joy, relief and grateful prayers filled the air across Kadoma on Saturday as Sungano Christian Group, in partnership with Cornerstone UK, carried out a large-scale food hamper distribution for underprivileged families. The youth group distributes hampers every month, but Saturday’s outreach was expanded to cover Rimuka, Waverley, Ingezi and neighbouring plots, directly targeting households hit hardest by economic hardship and food insecurity. For many recipients, the hampers meant far more than groceries — they were a tangible sign that their community had not been forgotten. From early morning into the afternoon, volunteers ensured that the elderly, the unemployed, people living with disabilities, and child-headed households received support with dignity and compassion.

Sungano Christian Youth Group has run monthly food hamper distributions as part of its core outreach for years, but Saturday’s operation marked a significant scale-up. Volunteers spent days sourcing, packing and sorting hundreds of hampers, each containing key staples — mealie meal, cooking oil, sugar, beans, salt, soya chunks and soap — selected to sustain a family for several weeks. Cornerstone UK provided critical funding and logistical backing, enabling the monthly programme to extend beyond a single suburb this time.

Distribution points were set up in Rimuka, Waverley and Ingezi, while mobile teams were deployed to reach families in outlying plots who might otherwise be overlooked. Sungano’s local network played a decisive role in identifying the most vulnerable, with priority given to elderly people caring for grandchildren, widows, people living with disabilities, and households with no steady income.

The distribution was not carried out in isolation. Sungano’s youth volunteers were joined by visiting delegates from their sister organisation, Cornerstone UK, based in Stevenage. The delegation’s presence underscored the 29-year partnership between the two groups, as they moved with local teams across Rimuka, Waverley, Ingezi and the outlying plots to deliver aid, engage directly with beneficiaries, and assess ongoing community needs tied to the monthly food programme and education support scheme.

Sungano Christian Youth Group’s coordinator in Kadoma, Tembo Chingaona, confirmed that the distributions are ongoing. “We distribute every month because the need does not stop,” Chingaona said. “The number of recipients will continue increasing as we see the need to help others, especially the elderly and those with disabilities.” He noted the organisation’s long history of service: “We have been distributing for the past 29 years. This is our calling, and we do it year after year because the need is still there.” Chingaona also thanked local partners: “We want to thank Spar Kadoma and other stakeholders for providing the food items. Without their support, we could not reach as many families as we did.”

Cornerstone UK director Andy Hills, based in Stevenage, spoke to the depth of the partnership. “We have had a strong bond with Sungano since 1997, and we partner in making sure the less privileged have food every month,” Hills said. “Beyond food, we have been paying school fees to underprivileged learners from primary level right through to tertiary education.” He added that the team also supports old people’s homes and orphanages. Looking ahead, Hills said: “Next year we will bring more projects, when we will be celebrating 30 years of partnership.” He joined Chingaona in paying tribute to Spar Kadoma “for providing us with the goodies.”

The impact was immediate and deeply personal. Elderly recipient Etina Mukumbu said, “I thank the organisation for remembering us. At my age, it’s hard to find food. Today I can eat and sleep well.”

Doubt Makadya, who is disabled, added: “Life is not easy when you cannot work for yourself. This hamper means a lot. I thank Sungano and Cornerstone for seeing us, the disabled.”

Faith Kuni, who benefits from the education programme, said the support extends beyond food. “They don’t just give us food, they pay my school fees too. I am now in Form Four and grateful because now I can stay in school. Thank you for remembering us,” she said.

In Waverley, widow Agnes Chitiyo broke into tears as she clutched her hamper. “I was praying for a miracle this week,” she said. “My grandchildren had only sadza and salt yesterday. Now we have oil, sugar and beans. God has answered.”

Tinashe Moyo, whose parents have died, said the package eased a crushing burden. “Since our parents died, every day is a struggle,” she said. “This food means we don’t have to choose between a meal and going to school. We can do both this month.”

Rudo Maphosa, a single mother of four from Cherrybank, added: “Prices keep going up. I sell vegetables, but some days I make nothing. This hamper will carry us through. My children will sleep without crying from hunger tonight.”

The collaboration between Sungano Christian Group and Cornerstone UK reflects a growing model of local-to-international cooperation. Sungano brings on-the-ground knowledge and volunteer manpower, while Cornerstone UK contributes financial resources and strategic support. Both organisations emphasised that shared faith drives practical compassion — meeting immediate physical needs while investing in long-term empowerment through education.

The monthly hamper programme runs alongside a bursary scheme that pays school fees for underprivileged learners from primary level to tertiary institutions. Organisers say education support is critical to breaking cycles of poverty. “Food keeps families going today,” Hills said. “Education gives them a chance tomorrow.”

Organisers noted that need remains high across Kadoma. Rising prices and limited employment have forced many families to cut meals or rely on neighbours, and Saturday’s expanded drive aimed to fill that gap and reassure residents that monthly help is coming.

Saturday’s food hamper drive did more than stock kitchen cupboards in Rimuka, Waverley, Ingezi and the surrounding plots — it restored hope. As recipients including Etina Mukumbu, Doubt Makadya, Faith Kuni, Agnes Chitiyo, Tinashe Moyo and Rudo Maphosa walked home with supplies, the smiles, tears and words of thanks underscored the power of collective action.

With 29 years of outreach behind them and 30 years of partnership approaching in 2027, Sungano Christian Group and Cornerstone UK confirmed this is part of a broader programme of community initiatives, with plans already underway to return to Kadoma and expand support to other communities facing similar challenges. Established in 1997, Sungano is a Christian youth organisation with a sister group in Stevenage, UK, called Cornerstone. To date, the partnership has helped underprivileged communities across Zimbabwe through monthly food aid, education support from primary to tertiary level, and care for vulnerable groups.