Ngoni Dapira

EMBRACING the Christmas festive season mood of giving, mobile telecommunications giant, NetOne, yesterday (Thursday) donated ZW$300 000 towards Zororai Old People’s Home which is located in Mutare’s oldest high density suburb, Sakubva.

As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, NetOne head marketing and public relations, Roselyn Chisveto in a press statement said the company’s focus is to continue impacting lives.

“The initiative is meant to share the Christmas cheer with the orphans, the elderly, and the disabled. This will see a total of up to five selected orphanages and old age homes across the country benefiting the same this festive season. This initiative is part of NetOne‘s mandate to transform and develop communities…Christmas is a time to share love. At such a time it is important to reach out and put a smile on someone’s face, Zororai Old People’s Home, had such a great time, with NetOne,” said Chisveto.

Some of the elderly that were present for the handover.

Zororai Old People’s Home that was founded in 1962 but officially registered as a private voluntary organization in 1975 currently houses 14 elderly people comprising of eight males and six females. The centre receives the elderly, who are above 65 years and often destitute, through the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

Chisveto said the initiative is a highlight of NetOne’s commitment over the past 25 years towards uplifting the lives of various members of the community. She added that as part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations they have taken time to assist the plight of the less privileged people countrywide.

Under its NetOne in the community arm, the company has recently been involved in sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes where they are capacitating marginalized schools, clinics and hospitals with the provision of laptops, desktops, exercise books, hospitals beds, wheel chairs, blankets and other hospital equipment.

Chisveto added that, just like how its digital transformation journey has brought a new way of life for everyone by connecting the unconnected, through its mantra ‘NetOne the World in One’ they also intend to grow with the communities that support them to become the leading mobile operator it has grown to become.

“NetOne has also empowered youths, women and children with livelihood skills to undertake various entrepreneurial activities by offering welding machines, sewing machines just to name a few. NetOne will continue to roll out this initiative yearly to different less privileged homes who are often left out,” said the head marketing and public relations.

Gondai Gondo

Zororai Old People’s Home administrator Gondai Gondo thanked NetOne for remembering the less privileged elderly.

“We are an independent centre and mostly rely on such donations from well-wishers. Thank you NetOne for remembering us. We understand times are hard for everyone including corporate, as you are operating under the restrictive ongoing global covid-19 pandemic, but nonetheless you still thought of us. We really appreciate the donation as every cent counts to help sustain this place. I also thank our Mutare community that continues to remember us and help us in cash or kind,” said Gondo.

Gondo added that the centre currently relies on seven unpaid volunteers who operate as security, administrators, caregivers and general workers.

Coincidentally, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare celebrated the International Day for Older Persons held in October at Zororai Old People’s Home. The theme for this year was, “Digital equality for all ages,” bringing awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons.