Harare — Mrs Esneth Mapondera-Mwendapole (85), the mother of Mrs Lukonde Hatendi (50), the Zimbabwean woman who miraculously survived the devastating Haiti earthquake has described her daughter's life as "very fortunate" and "full of luck".
Mrs Hatendi, who has been evacuated to Miami in the United States together with another woman whose nationality has not been disclosed, were reportedly the only two survivors out of the 200 people who were in the collapsed UN complex in Port-au-Prince.
Her three biological children and three adopted children were also relocated together with her.
In an interview, Mrs Mapondera-Mwendapole said her daughter had a very fortunate childhood and had the rare opportunity of learning in four countries.
She started primary and secondary school in Lusaka, Zambia, where she attended Parklane Primary in Chilanga Cement and Kabulonga Secondary schools.
Her maternal uncle, Mr John Mapondera, then took her to Britain where she finished her secondary education.
She came to Zimbabwe in 1980 when her mother, who was married to a Zambian man, relocated to her home country.
Here she studied French lessons before moving to France for further education.
She worked for some embassies before getting a job with the United Nations in 1984.
She worked in Arusha, Tanzania, before moving to Haiti.
* Herald
