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Sukulwenkosi Dube/Auxilia Katongomara
VICE-President Phelekezela Mphoko has donated groceries to a Mangwe family of seven orphaned children who had gone for some time without having a decent meal. Their aunt, Siphile Nyoni, 42, who lives with the children in Makorokoro area appealed for assistance from the Vice President during his recent visit to the district.
Presenting her plight to VP Mphoko during a question and answer session, Nyoni said she was struggling to fend for the children as she was disabled.
“I’m looking after seven orphans, their parents passed away and they left them under my care. We’ve been relying on food handouts but it isn’t every day that people provide us with food,” said Nyoni as she burst into tears.
“Looking after these children is an uphill climb for me and I really need assistance.”
The orphans are aged between four and 15 years.
VP Mphoko pledged to assist the family and assigned the local authority to deliver groceries to them on Tuesday.
The groceries, comprising foodstuffs, soap and lotions were delivered at Nyoni’s homestead in Makorokoro area.
Chief Hobodo, whose jurisdiction covers the area said the donation would go a long way in addressing the challenges being faced by orphans.
He urged community members to help the underprivileged in their areas.
The chief said the social welfare department was failing to cater for all those who were in serious need of help.
“We’ve a number of orphaned children living within the community who are desperate for food and elderly people as well as disabled community members.
“These people aren’t benefiting under the social services department and in such cases it’s the duty of community members and other stakeholders to protect the welfare of these people,” said Chief Hobodo.
During the presentation, Nyoni told local authority officials and community leaders that she was failing to fend for the children due to the drought.
“We had tried to plant some crops but they all wilted because of poor rains and we managed to harvest melons only. I’ve been cooking these melons for the children and that’s the food I’ve been giving them every morning and evening,” he said.
Meanwhile, Choppies Zimbabwe on Friday donated groceries worth more than $5,000 to Emthunzini Wethemba Children’s Home in Bulawayo as part of its corporate responsibility.
The goods included mealie-meal, cooking oil, salt, sugar, rice, kapenta, soya chunks, Mazoe orange crush, nine bags of second hand clothes and 52 blankets.
The second hand clothes were donated by customers at various Choppies retail outlets in the city.
Presenting the consignment, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s wife Laurinda said they felt obliged to support society.
“We came here to assist these people who are doing a wonderful job of taking care of these children. It’s our duty as society to support them,” she said.
“Today we’re here, we’re hoping that through God’s grace we’ll be able to assist more.”
She said the donation was part of their social responsibility as they have previously donated to some homes such Ekuphumuleni and Entembeni Old People’s home in Luveve, among other homes.
Emthunzini Wethemba board member Charles Dube expressed gratitude to Choppies and the Mphoko family for the donation.
“It’ll go a long way in assisting our children. We’re very grateful because the donated stuff will go a long way.
“We also thank them for the blankets and clothes which came at the right time,” said Dube.
He said they were in dire need of foodstuffs such as mealie-meal, cooking oil, vegetables and beans.
Online Reporter