From Personal Struggle to Community Hero: MOSH Founder Uplifts Mothers of Children with Disabilities
Lydia Banda
This Women’s History Month, WILD shines a light on Mothers of Special Heroes (MOSH) and its inspiring founder, Shantell Changare. The story of MOSH begins with a life-altering event for Shantell. When her son fell into a bucket of water, it led to a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Through unwavering dedication and physiotherapy, he slowly regained responsiveness. But this experience wasn’t just about her son. It ignited a fire in Shantell to start Mosh to support other mothers facing similar challenges, providing them with love, assistance, education, participation, and inclusion,
Over time, Mosh has achieved significant successes. We are proud recipients of the SDG award by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland region and have garnered nominations for various accolades. Our community project has garnered a strong media presence through national television, newspapers, and social media platforms. We have conducted awareness programs, such as marches, home visits, and educational workshops, alongside establishing initiatives like the MOSH All Abilities Choir and visual arts classes to empower our special heroes and their caregivers.
Despite our achievements, we have faced challenges in garnering support and overcoming stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities. Mosh has relied on personal funds for its operations, highlighting the need for greater awareness and support for special heroes and their caregivers in society.
Looking ahead, my aspirations for Mosh include creating an enabling environment for special heroes, engaging in international partnerships and cultural exchange programs, establishing a state-of-the-art inclusive college, and expanding our reach to other provinces.
For those seeking to follow a similar path, I echo the wisdom of my lecturer Dr. Nkala: education is not just about personal gain, but about uplifting your community. With a heart full of compassion, unwavering dedication, and a burning desire to make a difference, even one person can ignite a difference in the lives of others.