NSSA gives early Christmas gifts to elderly at Bumhudzo

Bumhudzo Old People's Home and Hospital in Chitungwiza on Monday received early Christmas gifts of groceries valued at over $3 000 from the National Social Security Authority's executive management.

The groceries, which included meat, bread, rice, beans, kapenta, mealie-meal, cooking oil, peanut butter, powdered milk, bath soap, washing soap and various cleaning detergents were presented to the home's administrator, Major Jetro Chidamba of the Salvation Army, by NSSA general manager James Matiza.

Other people present from the authority included NSSA corporate services director Tendai Mafunda, occupational safety and health director Rodgers Dhliwayo, director of contributions and compliance Barnabas Matongera, investments director Shadreck Vera, benefits, schemes, planning and research director Henry Chikova and NSSA public relations manager Philemon Chereni.

Addressing the residents and staff at the old people's home, Mr Matiza pointed out that this  was NSSA's second donation to Bumhudzo Old People's Home and Hospital.

He added that for the past three years, employees from all of NSSA's regional offices had raised money from their own salaries to assist those in need. The authority had then trebled the amount under its Corporate Social Responsibility budget and made donations to identified organisations for the needy in the various communities that NSSA operates in.

"We are back again this year with our donation which we hope will cushion you from your current problems and help you enjoy the coming Christmas holidays.

"As part of our corporate social responsibility, we felt it is important that we contribute to the wellbeing of the elderly, especially those who are in the age group that our pension and other benefits schemes are intended for.

"Every time we visit Bumhudzo Old People's Home and Hospital we feel at home as most of the residents here are also in the age group of people that NSSA deals with on a daily basis," he said.

He added that the authority will continue to make the annual Christmas donation to the home and hospital and hoped that the relationship between NSSA and Bumudzo will continue to grow.
 
Bumhudzo Old People's Home and Hospital began as a home for the elderly in 1974. The hospital was built in 1980.

The home, which cares for elderly people who are 60 years old and above, is managed by the Salvation Army with assistance from qualified nurses and other staff.

Major Chidamba, who thanked NSSA on behalf of the residents and staff, said their prayers had been answered with the donation as their stocks had gone down and were not enough to cover the holidays.

He pointed out that the 2012 NSSA donation had gone a long way as the home still had a few of the groceries left that were donated last year.
 
"Thank you for choosing Bumudzo Old People's Home and Hospital for the annual donation. We really appreciate it and will continue to ensure our relationship stays strong," he said.

One of the residents of the home also thanked NSSA for the donation and said the smiles that NSSA had put on their faces are also on the faces of the angels in heaven.

She urged NSSA to continue assisting them. She said they will always have the authority in their prayers.