adminYoliswa Dube Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO businessman Moosa Esat is appealing for donations in cash or kind for the upkeep of mentally and physically challenged children housed at St Francis’ Home in the city.
Esat, a St Francis Home amenities committee member, said the home, an annex of Ingutsheni Central Hospital, was struggling to sustain operations due to limited funding.
St Francis Home is a home for children who are mentally challenged and some have severe physical handicaps.Many of them are bedridden, wheelchair bound and often abandoned. The home is the only one of its kind in the country.“The institution is government owned but relies heavily on donations. It has been facing liquidity challenges over the years. It has been run with the assistance of volunteers who donate to the home but these donations are not always available that’s why we need help to ensure that these children live comfortably,” said Esat.
The home accommodates 80 children and has nursing facilities.
“Regrettably, the unfriendly economic situation in Zimbabwe has put the home in a desperate situation financially. As a result, it’s a constant struggle to ensure that the children are fed and clothed. Any aid, whether monetary or otherwise, in this regard would be appreciated and would go a long way in easing the plight of the children,” added Esat.
Well-wishers can contact Esat on 0712 413009, Jane Biddlecombe on 0773 282059 or Mahesh Vaghmaria on 0772 231906.Esat said the home is colourfully furnished to maintain a homelike atmosphere. No visiting hours are stipulated and visiting parents, relatives and friends are encouraged to take the children outdoors. With suitable notification, parents may take the children out for varied periods to maintain family ties and interaction.
“We encourage anyone with a genuine interest in St Francis Home to take a tour of the home, meet the patients and see the challenges they face,” said Esat.
St Francis Home, built in 1958, falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Child Care but was staffed by the Ecclesiastic Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood.
Ingutsheni Central Hospital medical superintendent and the hospital’s secretary are responsible for the home’s administration.Unlike Ingutsheni Central Hospital, St Francis Home is a voluntary hospital requiring no legal formalities for admission. It thrives on donations and has an amenities committee.
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