HARARE - Blackwood Hodge, a distribution company for Tata vehicles in Zimbabwe, yesterday took time to help several children’s homes with their daily household chores as it celebrated its founder’s day.
Elliot Shonhiwa, the company’s general manager, told the Daily News that he and his staff had decided to help clean up Shungu Dzevana Children’s Home in Hatfield in fulfilment of their founder Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy’s belief that the essence of good business is being a good corporate citizen.
Shonhiwa said the founder’s day was an annual event in which they engage in corporate social responsibility programmes.
The team spent the whole day yesterday cleaning the dormitories, as well as doing laundry and other daily household chores.
The Indian company, whose regional headquarters is in Johannesburg, South Africa, also donated T-shirts to the 53 children and their mothers at the home and promised to build a long-term relationship.
“As part of our core values, each of our companies in Africa and the world over identify charitable causes and does something to help each time we commemorate founder’s day,” Shonhiwa said.
Mercy Mutyambizi, the matron of the Catholic-run children’s home expressed gratitude to Blackwood Hodge for the kind gesture.
“This is a day that the Lord has specifically chosen for all of us at this home,” she said. “I want to thank Mr Shonhiwa and his team because the children have really enjoyed the day.”
Shungu Dzevana cares for orphaned children and those abandoned by their parents, including those dumped on the streets and public hospitals.
The Trust runs another home in Msasa; while some children are given out to foster parents in Kadoma, Chitungwiza, and Mhondoro where they attend school.