Source: Tongaat Hulett donates wheelchairs and white mobility canes – herald
Online Correspondent
Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe, a leader in agro-processing business in the country, in an act of philanthropy extended a generous hand to persons with disabilities by donating 90 white blind mobility canes and five wheelchairs to a disability community residing in Epworth.The donation was received cheerfully and with open arms by both the disability community and the Epworth Local Board.
Tongaat Hulett is a leading agri-business in sugar, ethanol, animal feeds and cattle in Zimbabwe.
The act of philanthropy by Tongaat Hulett is a welcome move and a game changer in private sector involvement in the transformation and advancement of the well-being of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
In great appreciation of the donation, Dr Tafara Marazi, a visually impaired senior lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe and chairperson of Visually Impaired Persons Support Organisation of persons with disabilities expressed his gratitude towards the donation on behalf of the disabled beneficiaries.
“We are gathered here at Epworth Local Board as persons with disabilities to witness a landmark occasion at which Tongaat Hulett is extending a generous hand by donating to us some wheelchairs and white blind mobility canes. As persons with disabilities, many are times when our disability needs are unrecognised by society much to our detriment and suffering. As persons with disabilities, we struggle to move around to fend for daily needs for our families. Today Tongaat Hulett has acknowledged our cause and come to our rescue which will go a long way in improving our movement as we struggle to eke out a living on daily basis,” he said at the recent handover in Epworth.
At least 95 persons with disabilities benefitted from the Tongaat Hulett donation.
Ms Muchaneta Chabvepi one of the beneficiaries expressed her joy, “While society generally expects parents to care for their children, the reality for many visually impaired parents is quite the opposite. Often, it is our children who take on the role of caregivers by hand-guiding us due to our lack of white blind mobility canes which Tongaat Hulett has generously donated to us.”
The mobility canes will help with road safety as motorists frequently overlook persons with disabilities walking without white mobility canes.
Mr Jairos Mapadza, who suffered a leg fracture in a traffic accident while crossing the road without a white mobility cane, was relieved to receive a white mobility cane.
“I am grateful for the donation of this white cane, which will greatly aid my mobility. My injury occurred when I was struck by a car while attempting to cross the road,” he said.
Ms Isabel Takaindisa of Hatfield got a wheelchair.
“You cannot fully comprehend our struggles as persons with disabilities unless you experience them yourself,” she said.
The master of ceremony Ms Matinanga Ndavayake encouraged persons with disabilities to seek assistance when navigating challenges.
Epworth Local Board, audit manager Tawonehama Nyamugoneka praised Tongaat Hulett for focusing attention to the needs of persons with disabilities in
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