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Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association director Dr Killer Zivhu (second from left), ZAHA operations director Mr Phillip Chafunga (third from left) and ZAHA Finance Director Rufaro Ngadze (left) hand over sunscreen, blankets and clothes to Tapiwa Marunge of Alive Albinism Initiative organisation and Gibson Gurumani of Save the Need House representing people living with albinism in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Memory Mangombe)

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Chivi Rural District Council chairperson and Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (ZAHA) director-general Dr Killer Zivhu yesterday donated goods worth more than $6 000 to 1 500 people living with albinism in Harare.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Zivhu said the donation was done in the spirit of Zimba365, a joint initiative between ZAHA and CourierConnect, which aims to ensure that the spirit of “selfishness” departs from people.

He took a swipe at self-proclaimed millionaires whom he said were throwing money like plastic bags and challenged them to assist the less privileged.

“I decided to help after they came to my office looking for employment. Because of the economic challenges we are facing, we decided to donate the little that we have. People living with albinism are not what they are because of choice,” he said.

The donated stuff consists of 1 500 blankets, sunscreen lotions and clothing which Mr Zivhu said he received from the office of the First Lady.

“The office of the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe assisted us with the clothes we are handing over today after I approached them for assistance. We want to thank her for the gift she has in helping the less privileged. She is looking after orphans using her own resources and today you are receiving clothes through her efforts. Let’s support and pray for her together with President Mugabe.”

Zimba365 is a nationwide campaign aimed at inculcating patriotism into Zimbabweans as well as urge politicians to stop fighting each other and unite for the betterment of the country.

Save The Needy House founder Mr Gibson Gurumani appealed to the public not to shun people with disabilities.

“We go to most companies in search of employment but they shun us because of the condition we have. Some give us work but they do not pay us and we would like to thank Dr Zivhu for his helping hand,’’ said Alive Albinism Initiative founder Ms Tapiwa Marunge, adding that they were being discriminated against in schools, work and even in marriage.

“In-laws do not accept daughters-in-law with albinism. If you are married, our husbands abuse us saying it’s a favour that they married us. Witch-doctors advise men living HIV and Aids to look for women with our condition for them to get healed,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Fadzai Bingura, said looking after a child with albinism was a mammoth task as the products were expensive and not readily available and was grateful for the support she had received.