Jane Mlambo| Alight Zimbabwe Trust (AZT) yesterday delivered solar powered lamps to Red-cross Zimbabwe as a donation to the victims of the Cyclone Idai Disaster which left many homeless and dead.
Edwin Sithole, the Programs and Resource Mobilization Manager for Alight Zimbabwe Trust said they felt moved to donate to cyclone idai victims adding that they hope their small donation will go a long way in helping the affected areas and families.
“Light plays an integral part in our daily life especially in Zimbabwe where we have several millions of households who are living in off grid areas which are not connected to the National grid.
“Solar Lantern will go a long way to help improve health by avoiding indoor air pollution caused by kerosene lanterns, and this reduces coughing, flu-like symptoms, eye irritation and respiratory illness especially in disaster related periods,” said Sithole.
Megan, the founder and Director for Unite to Light Company which supplies AZT with the solar lights donated to Red Cross said women are the most affected whenever a disaster especially breastfeeding mothers.
“Imagine your baby cries in the middle of the night and wakes you up at God knows what hour. You sit up and search for the floor to stand up as you are still in the stupor of sleep. You start fumbling your way to your baby’s bassinet, half tripping only to give up when you can’t find it and reach for the light.
“In such situation one would understand that mothers are the major victims of disasters as you may be aware that most of the time they will be doing double work, that is baby minding as well home chores,” said Megan.
Blessing Chigamura, Secretary for Entrepreneurship thanked Unite to light based in USA for allowing AZT to take part of their consignment which they gave us to sell as start-up capital but had agreed to take portion of it to donate to the people of Chimanimani and Chipinge districts
He also added that, what Unite to Light did was is a clear testimony of generosity and willingness to share with those who are in trouble and need, as AZT we would like to thank your Team Unite to light and we are confident that your Luke light will go a long way to helping these affected areas light is life and together as team shall do much more
AZT is a network of former sponsored children of Plan International who have joined hands after graduating from Plan sponsorship program to give back to the communities which have nurtured them. Today having such interventions in responds to disaster is one of the core foundations of the Trust .As a Trust ,we are hoping to continue fundraise so that ,we could as well help the affected families and children with stationary and other forms of help like sanitary wear ,uniforms ,school fees among other things Blessing said