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Sydney Kawadza Mashonaland West Bureau
The Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) last week handed over a refurbished Chengetanayi Old People’s Home after several months of rehabilitation.

The institution had for years suffered from dilapidation that resulted in one of the inmates being injured after a ceiling collapsed.

Some of the issues attended to at the old people’s home with 24 inmates — 18 males and six females — included broken windowpanes, ceilings and doors.

PSMAS put in new windows, ceilings, burglar bars on all windows, reconstructed the car park and put up concrete paths for wheelchair-bound inmates.

The project saw PSMAS paint all the buildings. PSMAS handed over two television sets, 13 tables, 50 chairs, 30 beds and 30 mattresses to the home.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, PSMAS board vice chairperson Mrs Fatima Chauruka said Chengetanayi Old People’s Home was chosen among other potential beneficiaries across Zimbabwe because the inmates were around 90 years.
“We selected this place because of their ages which is in tandem with our 90th Anniversary to be celebrated next year,” she said.

“We are going to be launching a series of legacy projects and this is one of them.”
Mrs Chauruka said the projects will show that PSMAS was a committed member of society and was serious about supporting the less-privileged in communities.

“We have made massive changes here, redone the floors, put tiles in all rooms, renovated the kitchen, bought new beds, done cabinets and shelving, bought new tables and chairs for the canteen, new TV sets,” she said.

“Generally, we redid the place. We have also put on new walk ways for the wheelchairs because most people here use wheel chairs. We have put in something that the home can maintain.”

Mrs Chauruka said PSMAS created a relationship with Chengetanayi Old People’s Home which would see the medical aid provider continue assisting the institution.

The home’s director Mrs Anne Mercy Senzanje said the institution was established in 1984 with five inmates and was also feeding the destitute and the elderly.

“The place has continued to grow and we are indeed grateful for the support we have received from PSMAS and we hope other individuals and corporates will continue to support us,” she said.

The handover was attended by PSMAS board member Mr George Mushipe, managing director Mr Tendai Kapumha, Chengetanayi Old People’s Home director Mr Godfrey Mavhankeni and several workers from the two entities.