NSSA donates freezers, pots, groceries to Bumhudzo Old People's Home

National Social Security Authority management yesterday (Tuesday) presented to Bumhudzo Old People's Home two deep freezers, as well as cooking pots, 20 litre buckets and groceries that included cooking oil, mealie meal, flour, rice, sugar, teabags, toothpaste, soap, washing powder and tissues.

NSSA acting general manager Tendai Mafunda and National Pension Scheme benefits manager Benhildah Mundangepfupfu handed over the goods to Bumhudzo Old People's Home administrator Chrisia Nyaruberu and some of the residents at the home.

One of the residents, Radford Chisoni, became emotional when he thanked NSSA for the donation.

"I don't know what to say because of what has happened here today. If it weren't for you we would die of hunger but you are our grandchildren and you help us here. Please go ahead with supporting us. We are very grateful," he said.

Mrs Nyaruberu  reiterated some of the sentiments expressed by Mr Chisoni, expressing her appreciation to NSSA for the donation.

"Christmas has come early for us. We have sugar and jam so we can now have bread with the traditional red jam. We now even have new pots because you understand that the ones we have develop holes.

"What you have done is helpful in this place. God bless NSSA and its management. The way you found us and the way you are leaving us today is different. We can now eat and wash. God bless you and what you touch," she said.

This is the third year running that NSSA has made a donation to Bumhudzo Old People's Home. Each year it has donated foodstuffs and toiletries. This year it went a step further to include the freezers to help the home with its chicken rearing project.

"When we first came here and were taken on a tour of the home we saw that the home ran a chicken rearing project and that at six to eight weeks the chickens would be ready for the market, so we thought with this weather the chickens would need to be kept fresh so we brought with us two deep freezers so they help in that project.

"Moreover, this year's donation coincides with the 20th anniversary of the pension scheme. For the scheme to reach this far is because of men and women like you who made contributions when they were younger," Mr Mafunda said.

"NSSA's theme is ‘for care and protection' so extending our hand to you is a way of fulfilling that theme - to care and to protect - in practice rather than being something that is just written," he said.

"We are also grateful for the hospitality here. Every year we come we are greeted with such happiness. We wouldn't have come for the third time if it wasn't for the welcome we receive each time we come," he added.

Mr Mafunda also thanked the Salvation Army, which runs the home, for its work in taking care of the elderly.