Grade 7 Gir Helps Pregnant Neighbour Deliver Baby After Older Women Flee In Panic

Grade 7 Student Helps Pregnant Neighbour Deliver Baby

A 14-year-old Grade 7 student from Macheke has been hailed as a heroine after stepping in to help her 18-year-old neighbour deliver a baby. The girl’s brave act came as several older women, including her own mother, ran away in fear during the dramatic scene.

Brave act at shopping centre

According to the Herald, the incident unfolded at Mhiripiri Shopping Centre in Macheke, under Chief Makoni. The young girl, Chiedza Mushunje, had just finished her Grade Seven examinations when she heard cries for help from her neighbour Ruth, who had gone into sudden labour.

Chiedza rushed to the scene and found Ruth in distress.

“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,” she said.

Despite being surrounded by older women, Chiedza was the only one who remained calm and took control of the situation.

“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 explained.

Young girl inspires community

Moments later, the cries of a newborn baby filled the air. The community members, who had fled, returned in shock to see that Chiedza had successfully helped Ruth give birth. The mother and child were later taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital, where they are recovering.

Her mother, Teclar Mushumbi, admitted she had panicked.

“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. Chiedza came out and quickly caught the baby. We were all in shock,” she said.

Granny Esther Chinguruve, who later cut the umbilical cord, praised the young girl’s actions.

“At such a young age, she showed remarkable bravery. If she had been afraid, nothing would have been achieved,” she said.

“She is our hero”

Several witnesses said they were moved by Chiedza’s courage. Villager Kuziva Hamera told the Herald:

“She is truly our hero. She did what even the elderly could not.”

Another villager, Emmanuel Manyere, added:

“All the adults ran away, but she sacrificed herself to help. We are proud of her heroic act. May the Lord bless her.”

Chiedza herself said she found courage in lessons from family health education and community programmes, while also mentioning encouragement from First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s teachings about bravery and responsibility. But above all, it was her quick thinking and calmness that turned her into the community’s unlikely heroine that day.