Zimpapers Logo

Columbus Mabika Herald Reporter

The Turkish Embassy yesterday donated groceries worth thousands of dollars to Bako ReDonhodzo Old Peoples home in Highfield, Harare as part of its programmes of touching lives through humanity.

Some of the orphanages and old people’s homes are facing food challenges because of fewer donors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Handing over the groceries, Turkish Embassy representative Mr Adam Yidi Wadi said the embassy was touched that orphanages were struggling with basic needs, hence their intervention in support of Government initiatives to cushion the vulnerable.

“We have noted that most homes and orphanages are struggling to make ends meet during this Covid-19 lockdown,” he said. 

“Our old people should always be looked after with adequate needs hence we have seen the need to help them during these Covid-19 trying times.”

Officials from the home could not hide their happiness and expressed gratitude to the Turkish Embassy.

Director Mrs Emilia Mukaratirwa said the assistance from the embassy boosted their food supplies.

“We survive on our tourism business, but Covid-19 has immensely affected our business,” she said.

“The assistance came at the right time and this is a huge relief to us. We have 15 old people at this home. We are thankful to the embassy. 

“We are sticking to Covid-19 guidelines and regulations. We are allowing a restricted number of visitors in our home.”

She said besides food, they were facing other challenges.

“We are facing shortages of personal protection equipment. 

“We feel for our caregivers who are restricted to the home and cannot travel to see their families because the situation doesn’t allow movement.”

This donation comes after the embassy over the weekend again donated food hampers to six other old people’s homes around Harare.