adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
MEMBERS of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yesterday donated goods worth about $4 000 to the Salvation Army-run Ralstein House Old People’s Home which was recently destroyed by a fire. More than 30 elderly people escaped unhurt when an inferno razed 16 of the 38 rooms at the home situated along Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue in Bulawayo, destroying property worth thousands of dollars.
Yesterday members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints handed over goods which included bed sheets, clothes, food hampers, toiletry hampers and crutches to assist the occupants of the home whose property was destroyed by the fire.
Members of the church also helped bring down the burnt roof, charred remains and rubble from the destroyed rooms in preparation for rehabilitation work expected to commence soon.
Handing over the donation to the old people’s home, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints representative, Mr Washington Wicho, said the idea of donating to the home came about after members of his church were touched by the plight of the elderly whose property was destroyed.
“After we heard about the accident, we decided as a church to mobilise resources and donate. We also decided to do some work here, removing the roof so that when construction starts there will be less work.
“As a church, we believe in the need to do service to other members of the society regardless of their denomination. That is the essence of true religion. We will follow up on this donation and identify other areas we may be able to assist in,” he said.
Administrator of the home, Lt Colonel Evan Mhasvi expressed gratitude with the gesture shown by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I see God through this donation. On behalf of the Salvation Army church and the elderly people who stay here I would like to say thank you and may God continue to bless you and enable you to carry out the good work you are doing,” she said.
Col Mhasvi said authorities at the home had found alternative accommodation for the affected occupants of the house and were working on moving other elderly people from the house to allow for renovations.
She was, however, non-committal on when the renovations would start, saying that was subject to the availability of funds which were yet to be secured.
The old people’s home continues to receive donations from concerned members of the public. Last week youths from the Salvation Army also donated various goods to the home.
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