CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
FBC Holdings has donated $75 000 to a scholarship fund aimed at children whose parents died from the cholera epidemic.
Speaking at Harare Town House Monday, FBC deputy group chief executive Trynos Kufazvinei said the bank had seen it fit to play a small part in fighting cholera by setting up the scholarship fund.
“We firmly believe that our donation will perpetuate the right to education for the children who lost parents due to the cholera scourge. As a responsible corporate citizen we are dedicated to giving back to the community as part of our corporate social responsibility,” said Kufazvinei.
“As the FBC Group, we are aware of the fact that our nation is currently facing a serious challenge in dealing with the outbreak of cholera which has claimed and affected a considerable number of precious lives.”
The outbreak, which started in Glen View and Budiriro suburbs, has since spread to other parts of the country such as Midlands, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces. Harare Acting Mayor Enock Mupamawonde said the gesture by FBC would help to eradicate the disease.
“This is a great philanthropic gesture by FBC as it is going to help the children who are facing the burden of cholera. We continue to wait for other corporates to follow the example set out by FBC as this is needed in the fight against cholera, which has affected the country,” said Mupamawonde.
Cholera has affected over 10 000 people in the country since its outbreak in the Harare suburbs of Glen View and Budiriro, with majority of the people being treated of the diseases which has killed over 40 people mainly from Harare.
Cholera remains a global threat to public health. In February this year, the World Health Organisation reported that an estimated number of 1,3 million to 4 million cholera cases are reported every year, with a total number of 21 000 to 143 000 deaths recorded worldwide.
