adminSenior Reporter
FAIRFIELD Children’s Home at Old Mutare Mission last week received donations worth more than $4 500 from the All China Women’s Federation and other business and philanthropic organisations from the Asian country. The donations, which included cash and groceries were handed over by ACWF vice-president Mrs Yu Cui, who commended Government’s efforts to look after disadvantaged children.
Mrs Yu, who visited the country on the invitation of the First Lady Dr Amai Grace Mugabe, said her country enjoys a cordial relationship with Zimbabwe which dates back to the liberation struggle.
“I came here at the invitation of the First Lady and I am happy with the warm welcome that we are receiving from places we have visited in Zimbabwe.
“Our friendship is like old wine because the longer it has lasted, the better is has become.
“As governments we need to protect children’s rights because they are the future leaders of our economies.
“I would like to commend the Zimbabwean Government for ensuring that disadvantaged children are well taken care of.
“As Chinese people, we will always assist in ways that will ensure that the welfare of the children is uplifted,” she said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Cde Monica Mutsvangwa said the visit by Mrs Yu, who leads more than seven million women in China was a big gesture.
“We would like to thank the First Lady for making it possible for Mrs Yu to come and visit us here.
“It is our hope that her visit will further strengthen good relationship between the Chinese people and Zimbabweans.
“We would like to find avenues for more co-operation as women in Zimbabwe and venture into partnerships with our Chinese counterparts,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
She described China as Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend and urged Zimbabwean women to benefit from a wide array of opportunities that are arising from the co-operation.
“We need to grab the opportunities fast and ensure that we take the front seat in the development of this country.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene said she was touched by the donations as they would go a long way in uplifting the living standards of children at the orphanage.
“Our children need love and care. The children at this centre must be loved and taken care of like any other children living with their parents. This donation is warmly received for it will better the lives of the children at this centre,” she said.
The centre received $1 000 from ACWF, computers and school wear from Chinese Embassy in Harare and 800kg maize-meal, 75x2litres bottles of cooking oil and 40kg sugar valued at $700 from the Zimbabwe China Business Association.
Fairfield currently houses 77 children, the bulk of whom were abandoned by their parents.
Online Reporter