Brave Grade 7 learner helps deliver neighbour’s baby credits First Lady’s teachings for giving her courage

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A 14-YEAR-OLD Grade 7 learner from Macheke became a heroine after courageously assisting in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby, even as local elderly women, including her own mother, fled the scene in panic.

The young girl acted swiftly as her neighbour, Ruth, cried for help at Mhiripiri Shopping Centre under Chief Makoni in Macheke, just as she was about to leave for the hospital.

While the elderly ran away in fear, Chiedza Mushunje stayed behind, applying what she had learned from family health education lessons and community talks to safely assist with the delivery.

Armed only with courage and a pure heart, she followed the little knowledge she had, and moments later, the cries of a newborn filled the air, a sound that deeply moved the entire neighbourhood.

It was only after hearing the baby’s cry that community members returned, shocked and humbled by the young girl’s bravery.

The mother and her new born were later referred to Marondera Provincial Hospital, where both are being monitored.

Courageous 14-year-old Chiedza Mushunje (right) who helped in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby sits down with Gogo Esther Chinguruve who also helped cut the baby’s umbilical cord in Macheke on Wednesday.

Chiedza, who had just completed her Grade Seven examinations at Tashinga Primary School, said she drew strength and confidence from the words of First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, whose radio and television programmes encourage girls to be strong, responsible, and ready to help others in times of need.

Through her Nhanga/Gota programmes, Mother Zimbabwe teaches a kind of courage that empowers one to stand up for oneself, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges showing that help often follows one’s own effort.

Her lessons on bravery, shared through various examples, inspire strength and self-belief that can be applied to any situation just as Chiedza did.

In an interview yesterday, Chiedza calmly recounted her heroic act while expressing her desire to meet the First Lady, who has been a source of inspiration.

“I was sweeping the house when I heard a noise outside. I went to look and saw our neighbour Ruth lying down, about to give birth, with blood flowing.

“I acted immediately after hearing her cry for help.

“I somehow found the courage and rushed to assist her. I went beside her, and when I saw the baby’s head coming out, I tore her underwear to allow for a smooth delivery,” she said.

Chiedza said that while the elderly ran away in fear, she stayed, using the knowledge she had gained from family health education lessons and community talks.

“There were several elderly women, including my mother, but they all ran away. I stayed behind to safely assist with the delivery. My mother and other local women were just grabbing blankets and throwing things to me, but I carried on,” she said.

Chiedza also shared the source of her courage at such a young age, attributing her bravery to the positive influence of Dr Mnangagwa’s initiatives, which she said nurture responsible young citizens who are ready to make a difference in their communities.

“The First Lady teaches us kushinga, kushinga (being brave) through her inspiring programmes such as Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba,” she said.

“She taught me a kind of bravery that empowers one to stand up for oneself, even in the face of any challenge whether it’s rape or any other difficult situation like the one I faced. I drew on the courage I was taught to have when confronting issues like rape to assist during the delivery.

“Dr Mnangagwa also taught us that help often begins from within, so that when others step in, one’s own effort is already visible.”

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Chiedza Mushunje and her friends share a lighter moment while doing household chores at their home in Macheke yesterday.

“I remembered what our First Lady always says that as girls, we should never be afraid to help and to show leadership. I told myself I could do it, and I did. The bravery just came to me at that moment,” she said.

For Chiedza, the experience was not only emotional but also a lesson for girls about having children when the time is right.

“Ruth gave birth at 18 and wasn’t even sure if her pregnancy had reached nine months. Our First Lady always tells us not to get pregnant before we are mature, because you can end up in trouble. I encourage my peers to control themselves until we finish school,” she said.

Chiedza’s mother, Mrs Teclar Mushumbi, also recounted the event. She said Ruth had gone to the back of the house but returned in pain, unable to climb the steps, perhaps miscalculating her pregnancy months.

“Some neighbours and I tried to find a car, but while we were doing that, blood started coming out, and we panicked and ran away.

“That is when Chiedza came out and asked what was happening. She went closer and saw the baby’s head coming out. She quickly caught the baby. We were all in shock and just gave her blankets to cover the mother and child,” she said.

Mrs Mushumbi said when they finally gained the courage to approach, they noticed the umbilical cord needed to be cut. They sent someone to find an elderly person, and luckily a grandmother passerby assisted.

“She assisted the baby’s delivery in broad daylight while people walked by. I was shocked that this young girl had such courage, while I was terrified. If she had not been there, the baby might have fallen to the ground.

“I asked her where she got such bravery, and she said, ‘First Lady Amai Mnangagwa always tells us to be brave.’ She listens to her programmes, and in that moment, she felt compassion,” Mrs Mushumbi said.

Granny Esther Chinguruve, who later cut the umbilical cord and dressed the newborn, was emotional as she recounted the event.

Gogo Esther Chinguruve breaks down recalling the courage shown by 14-year-old Chiedza Mushunje who assisted in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby in Macheke on Wednesday.

“I was deeply moved by Chiedza. At such a young age, she showed remarkable bravery.

“If she had been afraid, as the adults were, nothing would have been achieved. She valued human life greatly. I was profoundly impressed. What she did was not her duty, it was an act of courage,” she said.

A witness, Kuziva Hamera, described the dramatic moment.

“I was sitting at the bar when Ruth stopped a car and asked for help to get to the hospital, but no one helped. She also pleaded with a man on a motorbike, who likewise failed to assist.

“She tried to get inside the house but couldn’t. Suddenly, the baby started coming, and this little girl ran just in time. Chiedza is truly our hero; she did what even the elderly could not,” he said.

The girl’s bravery has been described as a “true reflection” of the First Lady’s vision of an empowered, confident, and compassionate girl child.

Mr Kuziva Hamera narrates and demonstrates how 14-year-old Chiedza Mushunje fearlessly assisted in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby in Macheke

Another witness, Mrs Evermore Tsakatire, recounted the tense moment.

“I was called when the young girl was in pain, but I could only manage to grab a blanket. When I was told the baby was coming, my heart pounded, and I threw the blanket to Chiedza, who performed the delivery.

“I felt fear, but her confidence was incredible. I, as an adult, was helpless, yet our hero Chiedza managed it,” she said.

Another witness, who preferred anonymity, also narrated the incident.

“I was asleep and woke up to hear Ruth crying. Everyone else had fled, leaving her alone with Chiedza. There were almost 15 women present, yet this child did everything herself,” she said.

A local villager, Emmanuel Manyere, praised Chiedza’s courage.

Mr Emmanuel Manyere praises 14-year-old Grade 7 learner Chiedza Mushunje who courageously assisted in the delivery of her 18-year-old neighbour’s baby in Macheke.

“All the adults ran away, but she made a real sacrifice to help. We are proud of her heroic act. May the Lord bless her,” he said.

Chiedza’s fearless act has not only saved a life but also inspired the entire community, proving that courage and compassion know no age.

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