Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT in partnership with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church brought smiles to 100 people yesterday, among them the elderly and people living with disabilities when they distributed Christmas food hampers.
The hampers included packets of rice, bottles of orange crush, cooking oil, body lotion, soap, 20kg bags of meal mealie, flour, packets of sugar and biscuits.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube together with the SDA West Zimbabwe Conference president Dr Sikhumbuzo Dube handed over the donations to the beneficiaries drawn from Evimileni, Forestvale, Masiye and Emakhandeni SDA churches
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Wiseman Siziba could not contain his excitement after receiving his food hamper.
He thanked the Government and the SDA church for the gesture, saying he will enjoy a Christmas with a difference this year.
“I am so happy because this is an early Christmas treat and this is enough for me and my family. Christmas is a time for sharing and many a time, we, people living with disabilities including the elderly, are forgotten,” said Mr Siziba.
He said his wish was for the Lord to bless all those who contributed so they continue assisting the needy.
Another beneficiary Ms Theresa Sibanda (38), said 2023 has been a tough year for her family and the hamper was therefore a big relief.
Khulu Abednico Ncube (80) expressed gratitude to both the Government and the SDA for the donation.
“When they informed us that we were going to receive food hampers for Christmas, I never expected them to be this big. I am quite excited and this whole month I won’t have challenges in terms of food,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the SDA church leadership approached her and offered to donate to vulnerable groups drawing inspiration from the recent annual Centenarian celebrations hosted by Government.
She said she then approached some well-wishers who offered to chip in and assist the church to mobilise donations.
“We had business people who donated some of the hampers and the SDA church also chipped in.
“This is the Christmas season and nothing beats cheering up someone and bringing smiles to their faces. I hope more churches will emulate this gesture and donate to the needy in their communities,” said Minister Ncube.
Dr Dube said as a church they are committed to assisting vulnerable groups in their communities.–@flora_sibanda
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