The inspiring journey of Given Thomu, the artist

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

Karoi is about 205km from Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. For years, Karoi has been known for growing cash crops such as cotton and tobacco. Now, it is also gaining recognition in the world of disability inclusivity.

Karoi is home to Given Thomu, who was born on the 8th of April 1993. He grew up a healthy, energetic child. But one day in 1999, when he was just six years old, his life changed forever.

Young Given spotted a shiny wire and curiously reached out to hold it with both hands. Unknown to him, the wire was live with electricity. Both hands were badly harmed and had to be amputated at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. Given was left armless and spent six months in hospital.

His rehabilitation then began. He had to learn how to bathe, dress and feed himself using his feet. He had to learn to write and paint using his mouth. The road was painful and difficult, made harder by the fact that both his parents had passed away before the accident. At the time, he was living with his grandmother.

Given was placed in a children’s home in Karoi. He was later moved to the Jairos Jiri Vocational Training Centre in Bulawayo, where he trained as an artist. When he turned eighteen, he moved to the Mzilikazi Art Craft Centre, where he continued to develop his painting skills.

Today, Given Thomu is a fine artist who paints using his mouth. He has defied the odds in every sense. His work is proof that disability is not inability.

Given is not only a painter. He is also an aspiring author and a keyboard player. He is working on his first book, titled “Gifts from God: Something Beautiful”. He is passionate about empowering young people and hopes to become a well-recognised motivational speaker. Mrs Sarah Tembedza, a life coach, has encouraged him to turn his pain into gain and live a life without limits.

Given has received generous support from patrons including Mr Kenneth Sharpe, Ms Brenda McNulty and JW Oliver. He now hopes to showcase his art through exhibitions, art shows and online platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. He also hopes to earn a living by selling his artworks.

The talented artist is seeking promoters and partners to help take his work to greater heights. His paintings are not just images on canvas. They are proof that beauty can rise from pain and hardship.