Chronicle Editor
Tendai Bhebe/ Precious Maphosa, Sunday News Reporters
THE Government has urged private and public companies to take an active role in supporting the well-being of the vulnerable groups in the country and not wait for foreign donors to do so.
Speaking during a tour of Entembeni Old People’s Home in Bulawayo soon after a familiarisation tour at John Smale Children’s Home and Luveve Girls Training Centre, the deputy minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Lovemore Matuke, said the public should collectively join hands with the Government in taking care of the vulnerable groups.
He also encouraged the homes to come up with projects which would help sustain them. Cde Matuke also said the Government would amend laws regarding sending away orphans who are over 18 years from orphanage as they face challenges of surviving due to economic constraints.
“We will have to review the law of releasing orphans who are over 18 and above from the orphanage before they acquire adequate means of survival. We will also make sure that we provide employment for these children to be able to take care of themselves when they move out from the orphanage,” he said.
“The Government has the main responsibility of ensuring that the vulnerable are taken care of by setting aside a certain amount to cater for their needs.
“We should however, all appreciate that it is not their choice to be in such situations. However, it can be a collective responsibility for everyone to take care of the old people and orphans.
“Private and public companies should join hands and support old people’s and children‘s homes.
“The new dispensation proposed that no one is supposed to die of hunger; the ministry should look for those people and put them in the rightful place,” he said.
He also said the ministry will continue visiting the homes to ensure they are well supported.
“We will continue coming here visiting and seeing how you are coping in your respective homes. Government has the responsibility to take care of all the vulnerable people in communities because it’s their right. All those rights are enshrined in our constitution to make sure that we provide for the needy, to ensure they are comfortable and also enjoy like any other citizen in the country.
“This is just the beginning so as institutions you should let us know when you are facing any challenges. The new dispensation is working under a new policy that puts emphasis on servant leadership where there are no closed doors,” said Cde Matuke.
All the three homes received an assortment clothes, boxes of shoe polish, boxes of oven cleaners, counter books, cooking oil and boxes of bathing soap from the deputy minister.
Online Reporter