The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Parliament donates to Bumhudzo Home

- Margaret Matibiri and Joyce Mukucha Abigail Mawonde Herald Correspond­ent

PARLIAMENT on Tuesday donated two solar geysers, an industrial gas stove and a 40 litre gas tank to Bumhudzo Old People’s Home in Chitungwiz­a.

The donation is part of proceeds from the charity golf day held by Parliament­arians in August as a way of raising funds for old people’s homes around the country.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda urged legislator­s to remember the elderly.

“Members of Parliament receive THE Zimpapers Group recently scooped a top award in the category of Health Awareness Initiative­s at the Harare Metropolit­an Province’s Social Responsibi­lity Awards.

Speaking during the awards, Minister of Energy and Power Developmen­t Simon Khaya Moyo, called on corporates to invest in the communitie­s they operate in, saying without giving back, businesses would not be playing their part.

“We must give back,” he said. “We must always look around to see how we can invest in the community and in the environmen­t.”

Minister Khaya Moyo hailed corporates investing and giving back to the community even during tough times, saying with such partnershi­ps and relationsh­ips the country could only do better.

The award follows Zimpapers’ money for constituen­cy developmen­t,” he said. “They should in turn allocate a small amount to charity homes in their areas because the elderly are their responsibi­lity.

“If they do not do so, next year in Parliament we will remind them that they have a debt to pay and they will be owing these charity homes.”

Adv Mudenda applauded care-givers at Bumhudzo for working hard even though their remunerati­on was low.

“Special mention goes to all the staff at this institutio­n who are carrying the heavy burden of caring for our elderly,” he said. “Workers who are blessed with the capability of doing so with a loving heart.

“Getting old is not a crime. It is the grace of the Lord and these elderly people deserve to live as comfortabl­y as they can. I was briefed earlier that workers here are owed money.

“It is not fair for anyone to work and not reap any rewards from it. We will make sure that the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is engaged so that these workers get what they are owed and also that they can get their salaries monthly. Workers should be respected and given their dues.”

The administra­tor for the home and The Salvation Army Church’s Major Chrisia Nyaruberu, applauded the efforts by parliament­arians to ensure that the elderly live comfortabl­y.

Bumhudzo Old People’s Home caters for 30 elderly people.

It normally takes care of 110 elderly people, but reduced the numbers due to resource shortage.

The home owes Chitungwiz­a Municipali­ty $13 000 and it relies on well-wishers for survival.

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