By Blessing V. Bonga
WHEN one has a big heart that yearns to change the lives of the marginalised in society, it does not matter the place, race, colour or creed of the people involved, but rather the determination and zeal to better lives are what matter the most to the helper. Those are the two attributes that best describe 34-year-old, South Africa based philanthropist, Chetai Martha Chikavhu.
Born on July 11, 1990, in Zimbabwe, Chetai is the proud founder of the Chetaldo Foundation, which was officially established on May 10, 2022, in Cape Town, South Africa. The Foundation is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled communities. It is premised on its mission which revolves around being their voice and ensuring their needs for essentials such as food, clothing, blankets, adult diapers, and other basic necessities are met. The organisation strives to raise funds and gather donations to enhance their quality of life and provide them with comfort and dignity.
Speaking to the Development Agenda recently, Chetai said her organisation was born out of what she had experienced as a caregiver. Her experiences became her biggest motivating factor towards establishment of the foundation.
“The formation of Chetaldo Foundation was driven by the inspiration that I got from my personal experiences caring for a stroke patient. This experience deeply resonated with me, igniting my passion and confirming my calling to support the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled individuals in communities.
“The significant need for supporting and advocating for these marginalised groups, motivated me to establish the foundation and dedicate myself to making a meaningful difference in their lives,” she said.
Just like in any other venture, Chetai has faced her fair share of challenges in establishing the Chetaldo Foundation, but thanks to the unwavering support she got from her employer at the time and the steadfast encouragement of kind-hearted Jennifer-Ann (her former stroke patient)’s daughters, Bridget Kriel and Denis Pinkney, she persevered. She attributes their support as pivotal and explained that they now play integral roles as Directors within the organisation, standing alongside her every step of the way. As a team, Chetai said they are committed to realising the foundation’s mission of advocating for and supporting the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled in society.
Speaking from her base in Cape Town, Chetai added that she channels her energy towards her passion for charity, and that is, aiding the elderly, vulnerable individuals, and the disabled. Raised in a modest family of six by a single mother, Chetai’s upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and determination to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Her foundation reflects her commitment to creating a positive social impact and supporting marginalised communities. Such determination continues to push Chetai to go an extra mile, especially in terms of financing operations in order to realise her team’s mandate.
“I personally fund the operations of the Chetaldo Foundation, although we do receive sporadic sponsorships and support. However, securing consistent funding remains a challenge for us as we often encounter fake promises and dishonest individuals. Despite this, we remain dedicated to our mission of supporting the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled communities, striving to make a positive impact with every assistance we receive.
“Despite these obstacles, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled communities. We continue to seek genuine partnerships and support from those who share our vision of making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need,” she added.
In the face of funding adversities, the youthful philanthropist remains optimistic that in the short to middle term, the Chetaldo Foundation will grow in leaps and bounds. She mentioned that they have an ambitious and yet purposeful vision to be realised in about 5 years. Their plans include establishing a dedicated centre with frail care facilities capable of accommodating up to 200 individuals at a time. Additionally, plans are afoot to create a school dedicated to empowering others who share the passion for caregiving, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference.
Such an ambitious plan, Chetai added, would generate employment opportunities for health care professionals, “furthermore, we aspire to generate employment opportunities by offering jobs in homes that require 24-hour care, thereby supporting both caregivers and those in need of assistance. Another significant goal is to launch our own adult diapers manufacturing company, a venture that not only aims to generate sustainable funding for our foundation, but also aims to make a substantial impact by providing essential products to a substantial number of people in need.
Through the initiatives mentioned, Chetai emphasised that they are determined to expand their reach and enhance their ability to support and uplift elderly, vulnerable, and disabled communities, ultimately striving to create a more compassionate and inclusive society.
As a parting shot, Chetai had some wise words of encouragement to like-minded individuals or even those who might want to venture into something different.
“My advice to the world is; when you discover your passion, embrace it wholeheartedly. Don’t hesitate to share it with others and seek guidance from those who have walked similar paths before you.
“Whether your passion lies in charity, or any other field, honesty and integrity should always guide your actions. It’s crucial to use funding and resources for their intended purpose, ensuring they benefit those who truly need support, rather than for personal gain, and always remember that many people are suffering, and our commitment to genuine, selfless action can make a profound difference in their lives,” she concluded.