Local News

Twins organization bemoans low publicity

 By Daniel Chigunwe

International Twins Friendly Action (ITFA) group has called for government and other stakeholders to recognize the numerous challenges that are faced by parents in marginalized areas who would have given birth to twins or triplets after a study revealed that several of them are struggling to provide basic needs for the children.

ITFA which was launched sometime back in 2004 is a pressure group founded by Mash Central based twin gospel musicians Kenlord and Kenford Manyowa who after having been raised by their peasant farmers parents and faced the challenges of simultaneously growing up together went on to advocate for the welfare of twins.

The organization hosted a big a national event on 30 October 2009 where twins from all walks of life thronged the Stodart Hall in Mbare.

“Indeed we are cognizant of the fact that life is not homogeneous and according to our research we proved that there is a uniformity in terms of challenges faced by parents with twins, triplets and quintriplets.

“The more the children the more the challenges encountered in clothing, education and taking general care of these children. Our research proved that many parents are of limited means therefore unable to educate their children leading to many school dropouts,” said Manyowa.

“In 2009 we had a memorable gathering when we flexed muscles as an organization by holding an event which was attended by more than 1000 pairs of twins this  was made successful by the leadership guidance of the now late Tendai Mabhunu,” added Manyowa.

However the organization has bemoaned lack of publicity saying it has stalled prospects of attracting interested stakeholders and funding to give the lifeblood needed for it to make a meaningful change.

“We are currently faced by a number of challenges which among them include the lack of understanding by a number of people on the real objectives of ITFA, where we coming from and what are is our cause.

“ It is our appeal that members of the media fraternity create a platform for us to meet the world and then we get known which will also assist us in getting funding from donors or even to make meaningful contribution to the nation as twins,”

Kenford and Kenlord Manyowa are gospel artists who are currently pursuing their vision whilst based in Mazowe Central in Mashonaland Central province where they confirm to have got overwhelming support.

“So far we are very grateful by the many positive gestures that we have received from the community of Mazowe Central from the Member of Parliament Cde Sydney Chidamba, local authorities, councilors and schools heads.

“We even got a letter of endorsement that we got from the council to assist us when we knock on doors of those whom we feel can make a change on ITFA, we are still struggling to get funding so that we register our Trust something that can be easily achieved if we get publicity,”.