Natalie Nyathi
The Mayor of Bulawayo Councilor Solomon Mguni has handed over goodies to various charities across the city raised through proceeds of the 2022 Mayor’s Cheer Fund drive.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Small City Hall on Friday with the vulnerable, disabled, elderly, people living with HIV and orphans being among the beneficiaries.
Welfare homes such as Railsten, Ekuphumuleni old people’s home, John Smale children’s home, Percy Ibboston and Luveve Remand home, Emthunzin We Themba, Entembeni old people’s home, Edith Duly, Thuthuka, St Francis children’s home, Thorngrove Hospital, Sir Humphrey Gibbs and Muscular Dystrophy were some of the institutions that benefited from the Mayor’s goodwill fund.
“When we started the drive last year, we set a target of US$100 000 with the hope that we will be able to garner enough donations and also try and cover as many needy people as possible. To date, the cheer fund has raised over ZWL$2,8million and US$4 425 which is also going a long way to assist the vulnerable community in Bulawayo”, said the Mayor Solomon Mguni.
The less privileged community representatives received approximately US$2 000 worth of groceries which consisted of basic commodities such as mealiemeal, rice, four, beans, cooking oil, chunks, soups, cookies, sugar, salt, jik, soap, mahewu just to mention but a few.
Nkosana Mazibisa one of the board members trustees encouraged Bulawayo residents to come together and contribute to assisting the less privileged either in cash or kind.
“This year we want to commence on time, l appeal to everyone in Bulawayo to contribute to the Mayor’s Cheer Fund in order for us to touch every Welfare home and uplift the lives of every vulnerable group”, he said.
” It is our wish as Cheer Fund to assist in the eradication of Urban poverty. We see that the world over there is a multidimensional reality of poverty. The biggest challenges are hunger, food security, clean water, health and quality education amongst others.
It is my hope that donations will go a long way in benefiting the community”, said the Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni.