adminThe donation included 10 state-of-the-art computers and 10 computer desks, free internet access for six months, a printer, a four plate stove, 90 blankets, 82 pairs of shoes and groceries.
The children’s home was established in 1972 and is meant to accommodate 72 inmates but at the moment it has 81 made up of 40 boys and 41 girls.
Handing over the donation to the home, Potraz director-general Engineer Charles Sibanda said as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations, they decided to assist the less privileged who did not have access to basic communication.
“As a regulator we identified gaps in society where children or the less privileged in society do not have access to basic communication,” he said.
Eng Sibanda called on the private sector to complement Government efforts in trying to close the gap between the rich and poor.
Commenting on access to basic communication such as Internet, Eng Sibanda said while it was important for children to have access to Internet, there was need for parents to monitor children as they used the Internet.
“The Internet has content that is unsuitable for children, please monitor them,” Eng Sibanda said.
He said the telecommunications industry was steadily growing and it was a welcome development to note that local companies were offering their services despite the harsh economic environment.
“It is good to see that we are developing using local resources. The sector is not doing badly and has managed to stand the pressure of illegal sanctions,” said Eng Sibanda.
He said there were foreign companies that were interested in investing in the telecommunications industry but avoided doing so as they did not want to comply with the country’s indigenisation laws.
“There are a number of foreign companies that want to invest in the sector but they do not want to comply with the 51 percent,” he said.
Eng Sibanda said in order for them to increase bandwidth for Internet services there was a need to have more fibre optic cabling.
“We need more fibre optic cabling not just as a backbone but also into the home and office,” said Eng Sibanda.
He encouraged consumers to be wary of dubious service providers who offer second-rate products.
“Consumers are being short changed because there are some service providers who give them substandard products,” he said.
Receiving the goods, the children’s home superintendent Mrs Eveline Shura said the donation was the largest since 2003.
She appealed for more donations saying the home was failing to meet its day-to-day running costs.
“We need at least $5 000 to buy monthly provisions for the children,” she said.
Mrs Shura said the home urgently needed funds to repair its stove and generator.
Online Reporter