Parly donates to Zororai Old People’s Home
ZORORAI Old People’s Home in Sakubva recently received a major facelift, thanks to the generosity of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda officially handed over 13 buildings that were renovated using funds raised from a golf tournament that the Parliament of Zimbabwe was a part of.
The buildings which were previously in a dilapidated state had their roofs and windows repaired.
The home also received furniture for an internal clinic, a laptop for the administrator, pots, agricultural inputs and food stuffs.
Advocate Mudenda said there is need to renovate old people’s homes as they are facing many challenges in providing adequate care and support to the elderly.
He said they will allocate more resources to such institutions, as well as improve their infrastructure and facilities.
“I urge the society to respect and value the contributions of the older generation, and to assist them with their daily needs. Old people’s homes are not only places of refuge, but also of dignity and empowerment for senior citizens.
“Before old people’s homes, people looked after their elderly, but it so happened that some people did not have any families, and this is why these homes were created. The elderly should be well looked after because everyone will eventually grow old and will need someone to take care of them,” he said.
“We want to ensure that the elderly here at Zororai Old People’s Home have adequate resources and care. The budget proposal will be presented to the relevant authorities and funding for that will be sought. Will take it up with Government, the ruling party as well as the Roman Catholic Church, which was previously responsible for the facility so that we collaborate in meeting the challenges being faced here,” said Advocate Mudenda.
He said plans to install renewable energy at the home are underway.
In his own capacity, Advocate Mudenda pledged to pay school fees for staff members’ 16 children.
The children were not going to school due to non-payment of school fees since their parents do not get paid for their voluntary services.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza hailed the Parliament of Zimbabwe for its commitment to renovate Zororai Old People’s Home.
He said Government has enacted laws that promote the welfare of the elderly, the vulnerable and people living with disabilities.
Advocate Mugadza said in line with the principle of leaving no one and no place behind, the elderly deserve special attention and support.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa and Government for enacting laws that enable us to give special and preferential treatment, attention and support to our elderly,” he said.
The gesture was appreciated by the elderly residents and the home’s management.
Mrs Elizabeth Fombe (75) expressed her gratitude to Parliament for their support and generosity.
She said the renovation of the buildings and provision of essential items will improve their quality of life at the home.
“We are grateful that our buildings have been renovated. We are also grateful for the food donation which will sustain us for some months to come. We are also happy that the Speaker of Parliament has promised to source more funds to support us,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Aaron Toka Mariana also expressed her gratitude for Parliament’s intervention in addressing the challenges they face at the home.